Guy C. Nicholson concentrates his practice in complex commercial ligation matters, bank regulatory litigation, and appeals. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Nicholson has served as a Judge Pro Tem, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Law with Pepperdine University School of Law. Mr. Nicholson has repeatedly been selected by his peers to be identified by Super Lawyers magazine as among the top five percent of attorneys practicing in Southern California.
Mr. Nicholson graduated from California State University Northridge, summa cum laude, in 1978 and obtained his law degree in 1982 from Loyola Law School. Mr. Nicholson is licensed to practice law before all California state courts and before the United States District Courts for the Central, Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Prior to joining Ellis George LLP, Mr. Nicholson was a partner in the Los Angeles office of Chicago-based Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, LLP and thereafter was the founding partner of Tisdale & Nicholson, LLP.
Representative Matters
- Patrick Power Products v. Meggitt Defense Systems — bench trial; obtained a defense judgment involving an $18 million claim accusing the firm’s client of misappropriating trade secrets pertaining to the design and development of major components of the Abrams main battle tank and other ground combat vehicles.
- Laibco, LLC v. (Confidential Id.) — jury trial; obtained unanimous defense verdict in favor of one of California’s most prominent law firms accused of professional malpractice.
- Confidential Id. v. Reldom Nevada, Inc. — bench trial; successfully prosecuted claim alleging misappropriation of computer source code and wrongful termination of employment. Judgment in excess of $1 million. Affirmed by the Nevada Supreme Court.
- IOM Magic, Inc. v. (Confidential Id.), – jury trial; obtained defense verdict (10-2) exonerating the firm’s client from liability arising from a failed merger transaction among other claims for relief.
- Park v. Nara Bank, NA – jury trial; obtained defense verdict in favor of the firm’s client on claims that the bank was the successor-in-interest of Asiana Bank following a merger transaction.
- Jett v. Union Planters National Bank, obtained defense judgment in litigation alleging violations of the federal securities laws and related common law theories of liability. Affirmed by the Ninth Circuit.
- Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation v. (Confidential Id), obtained injunction prohibiting defendant’s continued use of plaintiff’s trademark and trade name in violation of the Lanham Act.
- FDIC v. Charter Pacific Bank, successfully tried to judgment regulatory action brought by FDIC alleging that the firm’s client had been operated unsafely and in violation of various regulations pertaining to the adequacy of the bank’s capital, conflicts of interest, and safety of its lending activities.
- In re Monument National Bank, successfully defended claim advanced by the government against bank officers alleging ultra-hazardous lending activities.
- TLK Enterprises, Inc. v. The Bank of Beverly Hills, obtained judgment in favor of the bank against causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, and for reformation of loan agreement.
- Camarillo Community Bank v. (Confidential Id.), obtained injunction neutralizing voting power of bank’s majority shareholder based upon evidence demonstrating violations of the bank change of control regulations.
- Johnson v. Bell Gardens Bicycle Club, obtained defense judgment invalidating $25 million profit sharing agreement based upon evidence demonstrating that the agreement constituted an illegal contingency fee government lobbying contract.
- Soliz v. (Confidential Id.), obtained complete dismissal on behalf of our client, a prominent Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court (now retired), of claims for infliction of emotion distress, among other theories of liability.
- Morrow v. AIG – jury trial; obtained $1.5 million verdict (11-1) in favor of client on claims alleging breach of contract and interference of prospective economic advantage.
- Cambridge Electronic v. MGA Electronics, 227 F.R.D. 313 (C.D. Cal. 2004) — obtained summary judgment defeating claims of stockholder alter ego liability, fraudulent transfer of corporate assets to stockholder, civil conspiracy and unfair business practices.
Practice Areas
- Business Litigation
- Appellate
Education
- Loyola Law School, J.D., 1982
- California State University, Northridge, B.A., summa cum laude, 1978
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
