The Daily Journal has recognized Partner Michael McNamara as a Top Professional Responsibility Lawyer for the fifth year in a row. The list honors the top performing attorneys in legal malpractice matters and ethics.
Mike is Co-Chair of the firm's nationally recognized Law Firm and Professional Services Defense Practice. His profile highlights his 43 years of experience defending law firms against complex liability claims.
Mike's path as a trial lawyer began in his first year as an associate, when he served as second chair on a defamation case in federal court. "This early experience helped to form my desire and passion to become a jury trial lawyer," he said. "There is really no better feeling than standing tall for your client before a jury."
The profile spotlights Mike's recent victory in Vander Ark Trust v. HAF Corp., where the federal court dismissed securities fraud claims against his client. The plaintiff alleged the firm prepared an opinion letter falsely representing that HAF Corporation owned intellectual property associated with green technology. In a 24-page opinion, the court found the letter did not misrepresent ownership and the plaintiff had not sufficiently alleged scienter. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal on December 4, 2025.
"This matter stands out as an example of a growing trend by parties to allege duties by outside counsel that were never accepted by the lawyer," Mike said. "The plaintiffs tried to blame the patent lawyer, who had no involvement in the plaintiff's decision to invest, for the plaintiff's imprudent investment decision."
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