John P. Cogger is an experienced trial and litigation partner at GRSM.  He is experienced in a wide array of civil matters, having handled a varied civil caseload throughout his career. 

He has both civil and high stakes criminal trial experience, having successfully tried cases in both state and federal courts. He has successfully represented clients at the appellate level, including successful presentation of appellate argument.

John has defended numerous entities in defense of business tort claims, including, for example, contract-based torts, trade secret misappropriation, intellectual property matters (copyright and trademark infringement), and privacy-based claims.  He has defended public entities and law enforcement officers in defense of alleged civil rights violations.

In professional liability defense matters, John regularly defends respected brokers, agents, accountants, lawyers, officers, and various professionals relative to alleged malpractice events.  He defends individual directors, officers and corporate entities in actions for alleged breach of fiduciary duties and related claims.

He has significant experience in representation of homeowner associations, as to both interpretation of and enforcement of applicable governing documents, having tried and litigated multiple matters to successful results.

He is involved in class action litigation including federal and state class claims arising under consumer protection statutes and false advertising or unfair competition statutes, including, as examples, the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act), FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act), ICRAA (Investigative Consumer Reporting Agency Act), and FEHA (Fair Employment & Housing Act). 

  • Successfully obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict on claims of gross negligence made against a self-storage door component manufacturer and installer.
  • Successfully defended real estate brokers and agents at trial in defense of allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and negligence.
  • Successfully defended client at trial in defense of patent and trademark infringement claims.
  • Successfully defended homeowners' association at trial and appellate court level on claims of selective enforcement of governing documents, including six-figure recovery of attorney’s fees.
  • Successfully defended homeowners' association at trial and appellate court level on interpretation of governing documents, including six-figure recovery of attorney’s fees.
  • Successfully defended owner of residential apartment complex at trial in defense of allegations of violations of habitability and rent control act.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of all causes of action at pleadings stage for complaint against engineering firm client in defense of wrongful death and professional negligence claims following summary judgment obtained on behalf of client.
  • Obtained summary judgment for State of California entity in defense of civil rights and employment claims.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of all causes of action at pleadings stage for complaint against broker and agents for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and punitive damages.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of state law enforcement officers at pleadings stage in defense of civil rights claims.

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California, 1994
  • B.A., Political Science, Siena College, Loudonville, New York, 1991