Richard Knickerbocker | Santa Monica Litigation Lawyer

People v. Municipal Court (Byars)
Respondent: Attorney for the respondent, The Municipal Court For The Santa Monica Judicial District of Los Angeles County. This case was to determine under what circumstances the trial courts have the authority to recuse a prosecuting attorney. Upon review of all evidence as well as the real party complaints from Ronald and Michael Byars, it was found that there is no conflict of interest nor appearance which justifies action barring a city attorney from carrying out his prosecutorial function. It was therefor ordered that a writ of mandate be issued directing the trial court to vacate its order barring the city attorney from Acton as a prosecutor in a criminal processing's.

Litigation | Supreme Court remanded , case settled | Cotran was accused of sexual harassment and terminated. He sued his employer for wrongful termination. Knickerbocker tried case with a 1.83 million dollar verdict.

NESTLE v CITY OF SANTA MONICA
Attorney for the City of Santa Monica (Appellees) in an Appeals case in with the original Plaintiffs (Appellants) asserted that vibration, fumes, and noise from jet aircraft landing and taking off at the Santa Monica airport caused damage to their property, interfered with the enjoyment of said property and resulted in physical pain, suffering and emotional disturbance. The original filing included four counts. The Trial Court entered judgment for defendant on count I and counts II, III, and IV were dismissed. This initial ordered was affirmed on appeal.

Appeals | Won in trial and on appeal | Established the right of municipal airport proprietors to regulate noise at municipal airports.

Appeals | Won Appeal | leading case in family and partnership law, determining that wife was not a partner in Husband’s business and reversing the decision of the trial court.

Appeals | Victory | Represented the City of Santa Monica against airport association and aircraft manufactures challenging the City's noise ordinace