Gaut, Kevin
Partner
Class Action Defense
Fashion Industry
Litigation
Legal Expertise
Litigation, focusing on complex commercial disputes with an emphasis in wage and hour class actions, antitrust, securities, legal malpractice, business torts, unfair competition, misuse of name and likeness, and real property law. Extensive jury and court trial experience in federal and state courts as well as in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, particularly arbitrations.
Industry Focus
Entertainment, financial institutions, and real estate
Key Professional Accomplishments
* Defended the world's largest bottling company in five separate wage and hour class actions.
* Defended two major motion picture studios in a class action alleging that the studios discriminate against older writers.
* Successfully represented major generic drug manufacturer in action against large international pharmaceutical company on antitrust, unfair competition and other claims. Case successfully settled after summary judgment obtained for client.
* Prosecution of antitrust claims asserting cutting-edge issues in the establishment of internet Top Level Domain names.
* Successful defense of one of California’s top forty law firms in several multi-million dollar legal malpractice claims, including those involving tax shelters, real estate partnerships, and conflict of interest issues.
* Successful defense of shareholders in a claim for fraud in the sale of a savings and loan association.
* Successful defense of directors of savings and loans being sued by federal regulatory agencies for alleged multi-million dollar defalcations.
* Obtained a preliminary injunction, and obtained determinations of liability of contempt, in a labor dispute involving a publicly traded apparel manufacturer.
* Prosecution of claims for piracy of sound recordings in violation of copyright and trademark laws.
* Representation of a major motion picture celebrity in a successful action for unauthorized use of the celebrity's name and likeness for commercial purposes.
* Representation of a Canadian cable television company suing to prevent unauthorized reception in Canada of the satellite footprint of broadcasts by U.S. cable television companies.
* Successful defense of two real property limited partnerships in a three-week arbitration of a several million dollar dispute.
* Obtained a $1.7 million verdict for plaintiff in a two-week federal jury trial for fraud and breach of contract.
Professional, Business, and Civic Affiliations
* MS&K Governing Board (2002-present)
* Los Angeles County Bar Association
Court Admissions
* California, 1985
* USDC, Central District of California, 1985
* USDC, Eastern District of California, 1985
* U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1985
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1984; magna cum laude, Sears Prize Recipient
Harvard University, B.A., 1980
