THE LAW OFFICE OF MATTHEW J. GLUCK SAN FRANCISCO

Representative Matters at The Law Office of Matthew J. Gluck

• Drummond et al. v. The Francesca (2013) Representing two sets of homeowners in a protracted and contentious dispute with the HOA board, obtained a $200,000 settlement within 90 days of substituting in as counsel.

• Homeowner v. Homeowner’s Association (2013) Substituted in as counsel after the close of discovery, with former counsel not having found the source of leaks causing mold in the client’s condominium.  As sole counsel, conducted a two-week jury trial, including examination of six expert witnesses and four percipient witnesses.  Although the jury returned a defense verdict, the client was pleased with the representation, and both the judge and opposing counsel  congratulated Gluck’s conduct of the trial without having had the chance to do the key investigation.  Client is pursuing an appeal based on the trial judge’s exclusion of probative evidence.

• Policyholder v. AAA (2013)  Representing an unlucky senior citizen whose house was damaged by defective windows installed more than 10 years prior (barring an action against the contractor), Gluck obtained an approximately $10,000 settlement from the insurer where there was clearly no coverage.  Settlement obtained without filing a lawsuit.

• West v. Lee, et al.  (2012) Representing a business broker in a dispute over the sale of a home business, settled the matter with a “nuisance value” payment before even filing an answer, getting the client out of the dispute in just a few weeks and for less than $5,000 in attorney’s fees.

• In re: Paul T.  (2012) Representing a certified financial planner in connection with a FINRA investigation, established and maintained excellent credibility with FINRA counsel, obtaining a fast resolution of the inquiry with a “no action” result.

Representative Matters at Shartsis Friese LLP

• Avidity Partners v. State of California (2012) Summary Judgment obtained for the State in a $1 billion dollar dispute involving the Pacific Lumber Company’s historic sale of the Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County.  Judgment affirmed on appeal.

• Creekside Partners v. Wentz Group (2012) Obtained a $2.7 million settlement for commercial developers in a construction defect dispute with general contractor.

• Robertson v. Princeton: A landmark “donor intent” dispute in which Princeton settled by paying our clients $100 million.

• Brown v. Durham School Services: Forced a settlement the day before trial, including a huge (confidential) recovery establishing a special needs trust for our client, a disabled elementary school student, significantly improving her quality of life.

• Grand-Jean v. Abernethy:  Efficiently obtained a six-figure settlement in a residential construction defect matter involving an architecturally significant home in Napa Valley.

• Beckstoffer Vineyards v. Deem: Obtained judgment for client in a 5-day bench trial, with judgment affirmed on appeal, over a contract for super-premium wine grapes. 100% of contract amounts and attorney’s fees recovered, including attorney’s fees on appeal.

• Richard v. Nowlis - Representing purchasers of a home with undisclosed defects causing leaks, proved fraudulent nondisclosure at a three-day arbitration, recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients, allowing them to repair and stay in their home.

PRO BONO SERVICE:

• Legal Aid of Marin - After consulting on a limited-scope basis with a client who was threatened with eviction for having the family’s third child, Matt agreed to take on the representation and negotiated with representatives of the management company and landlord to help the family stay in their home.

• Bar Association of San Francisco – Through BASF’s Justice and Diversity Center, Matt has volunteered multiple times with the Housing Negotiation Project, assisting San Francisco Tenants facing eviction (unlawful detainer) on a limited-scope basis at mandatory settlement conferences before trial.  Successes include helping tenants stay in their homes, or obtaining additional time and/or money to help them transition to new housing.  Matt has also worked for the Eviction Defense Project, taking on a full-scope representation and helping a young family avoid eviction and eventually move to new housing on their own terms, including obtaining their security deposit from their old landlord.

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY:

• Up On Top - Matt has supported disadvantaged children and their families through service on the Board of Directors of Up On Top, a non profit after-school and summer program for elementary school children and their families in the Tenderloin and Western Addition neighborhoods in San Francisco.

  Board President (2009-2011)
  Board Member (2006-2009, 2011-2014)

SERVICE TO MATT’S PEERS:

The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) - Matt has devoted a significant amount of time in service of his peers and community through BASF, including the following:

• Small and Solo Committee: Chair (2014-Present), Vice-Chair (2013)

• Continuing Barristers Leadership:  Founder and Co-Chair (2013-Present)

• Barristers Club: President (2012), Board Member (2011)

• SF Delegate to the Conference of California Bar Associations: Executive Committee (2014); Delegate (2013)

• Justice and Diversity Center, Housing Negotiation Project: Volunteer (2012-Present)

• Justice and Diversity Center, Eviction Defense Project: Volunteer (2012).

• Justice and Diversity Center, Mock Trial Program: Chair (2010); Vice-Chair (2009)

• Justice and Diversity Center, Law Academy Program: Mentor (2008)