Spencer P. Hugret is a Partner in GRSM’s San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. Spencer is chair of the firm’s Automotive Litigation & Autonomous Vehicles practice group and is the chair of the San Francisco Product Liability practice group. He is also a member of the firm’s Aviation, Commercial Litigation, Securities, and Business Transactions Practice Groups.
- Represented client in a test case at trial in a Federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) involving alleged transmission defects resulting in a full dismissal of fraud and punitive damages claims, and a nominal economic Plaintiff’s verdict which was significantly below the client’s FRCP Rule 68 Offer of Judgment, resulting in the client’s costs being paid for the trial.
- Represented client in a test case at trial in a California State Court Judicial Counsel Coordination Proceeding (JCCP) involving alleged transmission defects resulting in a dismissal of the high exposure claims, and a nominal economic Plaintiff’s verdict which was significantly below the client’s CCP section 998 Offer of Judgment, resulting in the client’s costs, exceeding $100,000 being paid for the trial.
- Represented client in a AAA arbitration arising out of a dispute over the terms of the a vehicle’s written warranty resulting in a complete defense verdict on all claims.
- Represented client in Stanislaus County in a multi-week product liability trial alleging a defective airbag system installed in a vehicle involved in a high speed crash. Plaintiff sought more than $10,000,000 in damages in closing argument and the jury returned a defense verdict.
- Represented client in a five week consumer fraud and punitive damages trial in Sacramento County involving allegations of a defective diesel engine. In closing argument, Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $1,000,000 and the jury returned a verdict of less than $120,000.
- Represented client in a three week product liability trial involving allegations of a defective restraint system (decoupling of a seat belt). Plaintiff sought more than $5,000,000 in damages in closing argument, and after the defense closing, the case resolved very favorably to the client before a verdict was reached by the jury.
- Represented client in a two week consumer fraud and punitive damages trial in Tulare County involving allegations of a defective diesel engine, resulting in a non-suit on Plaintiffs’ fraud and punitive damages claims.
- Represented client in a Federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) involving alleged drivetrain defects resulting in a majority of the claims being dismissed on summary judgment paving the way for a favorable resolution on the remaining claim in the litigation.
- Represented client in Santa Clara County in a product liability action involving an off-road vehicle rollover, resulting in serious injury. The case was dismissed on summary judgment in favor of the client.
- Represented client in a five week catastrophic workplace injury and negligence trial in San Francisco Superior Court. Demanding $2 million against the client’s offer of $200,000, Plaintiffs eventually sought more than $1,500,000 in their closing argument. After deliberations, the jury found client only ten percent at fault, for a total judgment of $369,000.
- Represented client in a three week product liability matter in Los Angeles Superior Court. Plaintiff sought more than $1,000,000 in damages and the jury awarded Plaintiff a nominal verdict, which was significantly less than the client’s offer to compromise resulting in the client recovering costs from Plaintiff of more than six times the amount of the verdict.
- Represented client in an eight week catastrophic injury brain injury case in the San Joaquin County Superior Court resulting in a defense verdict for the client. Plaintiffs sought more than $20,000,000 in their closing argument as a result of the accident.
- Represented client in a four week fraud and breach of fiduciary duty bench trial in Los Angeles Superior Court that resulted in a complete finding for the defense.
- Represented client in a multi week FINRA arbitration proceeding in San Francisco over claims of the suitability of certain investments and breach of fiduciary duty. After Claimants’ case-in-chief, the arbitration resolved favorably to the client.
- “Examining the Next Generation of Emerging Autonomous Technologies,” American Conference Institute 12th Annual Summit on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, July 18, 2019.
- “Emerging Issues in Products Liability Litigation,” GRSM Legal Education Conference, New York and Hartford (May 2018)
- “Latest Nuances in Defending Typical Defect Theories: Belt Restraint, Airbag and Seatback Strengths,” American Conference Institute 10th Annual Summit on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, June 16, 2017.
- “Uncovering Bias During Jury Selection and Developing Cause Challenges,” Next Generation Lead Automotive Products Liability Conference, October 24, 2016.
- “Challenging Expert Testimony Through Cross-Examination and Daubert Challenges,” Next Generation Lead Automotive Products Liability Conference, April 5, 2017.
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Central, Northern, Eastern and Southern Districts of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships
- California Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Defense Research Institute (member of the Aviation Committee, Product Liability Committee and Commercial Litigation Committee)
- Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Education
- J.D., Whittier Law School, 2005
- Whittier Law Review
- B.A., Political Science, George Washington University, 2002
Honors
- Rising Stars® distinction in the fields of Aviation and Business Litigation (2012-2019, Law & Politics)
- Honored Listee, Marquis Who’s Who (2023)