Marissa M. Dennis

Litigation

• National Restaurant Chain Tenant. First-chaired a four-week jury trial representing a national corporate restaurant chain tenant against its landlord in an easement dispute regarding the tenant’s parking and access rights. The jury returned a verdict in favor of tenant and were unanimous that the landlord interfered with the tenant’s easements and caused harm to the tenant. 
• International Technology Company. Successfully defended an international technology manufacturing company and leading provider of point-of-sale printer devices used around the globe. Plaintiff, a manufacturer of touch screen tablet devices used at restaurants sought $200 million in damages alleging our client both defrauded them and provided defective printers. After a two week-jury trial, obtained complete defense verdict on behalf of our client for this highly contentious case that was featured as one of the top defense verdicts in 2019 by the Daily Journal.
• National Retailer. Four-day "baseball" fair market rent arbitration for a 130,000-sf retail lease in San Francisco, California. The arbitrator decided in the tenant's favor, resulting in savings of more than $70 million to the tenant over the renewal term. The award was challenged by the landlord, but upheld by the California Court of Appeal.
• Institutional Landlord. Fair market rent arbitration regarding an 80,000 square foot office premises in Santa Monica, California. After the hearing, the arbitrator decided in favor of the landlord, resulting in gains of over $7 million for the landlord.
• Homeowner. Represented defendant/cross-complainant homeowner against her general contractor in a breach of contract/construction defect matter. After eight days of hearing, the arbitrator issued an award, including a sizable attorneys' fee award, in the owner's favor. The award was challenged by the contractor, but upheld by the California Court of Appeal.
• National Lender. Putative class action brought by certain borrower tenants-in-common for breach of a commercial loan on a one-million square foot office property in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Court dismissed the class action at the pleading stage, and the dismissal was upheld by the California Court of Appeal.
• Institutional Landlord. Fair market rent arbitration for restaurant space in San Francisco, California. After a two-day hearing, the arbitrator set rent in landlord's favor.
• National Financial Services Company. Three mortgage mass actions brought by The Real Estate Law Center (RELC). Obtained dismissals of all actions, and a sanctions award and attorneys’ fees against Plaintiffs’ counsel.
• International Technology Company. Multiple class actions alleging claims of unfair competition and false advertising.
• Property Owner. Action against a general contractor for fraud and other construction defects, which resulted in a $2 million judgment against the contractor after a two-week bench trial.

Pro Bono

• Pro Bono. Represented numerous pro bono clients in matters involving adoption, guardianship, and trustee-related issues.