SUMMARY
Lauren B. Fazio is an is a trial attorneyat the firm’s Walnut Creek office. Ms. Fazio’s litigation practice focuses on the areas of general liability litigation, construction defects, and professional liability, including representing architects, engineers, and legal professionals. She also represents public entities in civil litigation involving negligence, dangerous conditions, child abuse, and civil rights claims.
Ms. Fazio received her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University, School of Law, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University.
EXPERIENCE
Defeating Summary Adjudication in a Duty to Defend Dispute
Ms. Fazio successfully defended a security company against a co-defendant retail giant’s motion for summary adjudication. The retailer alleged that the security company owed a duty to defend against the plaintiff’s personal injury claims based on purported contractual obligations. Through meticulous analysis and compelling argumentation, Ms. Fazio convinced the court that genuine issues of material fact existed regarding applicability of the contract and indemnity terms. The motion was ultimately denied, safeguarding her client’s interests.
Securing Summary Judgment Using Res Judicata
In a case with eleven causes of action against her client, Ms. Fazio achieved complete dismissal by leveraging res judicata principles stemming from a Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Discharge. She demonstrated that the plaintiff had failed to lift the automatic stay required to pursue claims, rendering them barred by law. Her firm grasp of bankruptcy-related litigation strategies resulted in a victory with prejudice for her client.
Trial Dismissal: Eliminating Liability for Security Company
Ms. Fazio played a pivotal role in defending a security company accused of negligence after an incident at a retail event in which a customer was injured by another shopper. As part of a trial team, plaintiff was persuaded to dismiss all claims against her client with prejudice during trial.
Negotiated Favorable Settlement at Trial
In an emotionally charged case involving allegations against a security company at a high school prom after-party, Ms. Fazio demonstrated her negotiation expertise. When it became evident that the jury was unconvinced by plaintiff’s claims, she secured a minimal settlement amount just before plaintiff rested their case at trial, saving her client from prolonged litigation and financial exposure.
Motion for New Trial in $9 Million Verdict Case
Ms. Fazio represented a business owner facing significant liability in a negligence and premises liability case where the jury initially awarded $9 million to the plaintiff. Our trial team successfully moved for a new trial by exposing insufficient evidence supporting the plaintiff’s narrative, lack of causation between alleged security failures and injuries, and flaws in the claims regarding delayed emergency response. The court granted our client’s motion for new trial which was a critical reversal in favor of our client.
PUBLICATIONS / SEMINARS
- Pre-trial Preparation (Webinar)