Non-Family Law Claims in Disso Cases: Where, When, Why & How to File Them

June Zoom Chapter Meeting

June 16, 2021

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Zoom Conference

This program will cover the jurisdictional/remedial limits of California family courts, how to handle spousal and third-party claims that exceed family court powers (or are in a “grey area”), consolidation, joinder and other multi-party/multi-claim management procedures.

Jeff Makoff has represented California businesses, families and entrepreneurs on major legal matters for 35 years. From the San Francisco Bay Area technology hub, to the L.A. media capital, to Wine Country and the Central Valley, Jeff handles complex disputes concerning the management and control of all types of businesses, fiduciary obligations and commercial litigation. Jeff is skilled in proceedings before judges, arbitrators, juries and government agencies, and is a constructive force in high stakes, often emotional, business and settlement negotiations. Jeff’s practical experience with California law, business and the state's diverse constituencies has proven invaluable in hundreds of complex disputes. Jeff is the Executive Editor of "Litigating and Judging California Business Entity Governance Disputes" (LexisNexis/Matthew Bender 2019) and the co-author of CEB's Practice Guide on "Understanding Fiduciary Duties in Business Entities" on "Fiduciary Duties in Family Businesses and Transactions." Jeff has been selected as a Northern California Super Lawer for 9 years and Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation since 2018. Read more.

Patrick T. Freeman is an associate at the San Francisco office of Valle Makoff LLP. He handles complex civil litigation for people and businesses throughout the state.

Mr. Freeman has handled a variety of cases and has represented both plaintiffs and defendants at the trial and appellate levels. His experience includes contested corporate and LLC disputes and dissolutions ("business divorces"), “Marvin” claims between unmarried partners, contract breaches, business torts, compensation agreement disputes, and complex asset division and breach of fiduciary duty claims in divorce proceedings. In addition, Mr. Freeman has extensive experience in discovery practice and motions both before and during trials.

Mr. Freeman received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While he was there, he was a member of the Hastings Law Journal and a judicial extern for a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. He received a Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Freeman is admitted to practice before all California state courts, He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the Federal Circuit.