Robert M Freedman

ROBERT M. FREEDMAN was a Partner of Tharpe & Howell and managed its Commercial Litigation and Transaction Practice at the Los Angeles office. His litigation experience includes Federal and State jury and bench trials, mediations, arbitrations, class-actions, administrative proceedings and appeals.  In February 2019, he retired and open his own boutique lawfirm. 

 Residential, Commercial and Public Works Real Estate and Construction Litigation: catastrophic losses, personal injury, property damage, design and construction defects, economic damages, transactions, design professionals, development, surety, foreclosures, contract disputes, lending practices, homeowners’ associations, premises liability, affordable housing, environmental, ADA, and condemnation.

Insurance Coverage Litigation: first party and liability claims; breach of contract and bad faith, indemnity and contribution, subrogation, intervention, additional insured endorsements, surety bonds, failure to procure, business interruption, and insurance agency E&O.

Business Litigation: products liability, breach of contract, labor and employment, business transactions, business entities, administrative proceedings, unfair competition, trade secrets, copy rights and trademarks, partnership / joint ventures, information technology, online sales and marketing, vendor/ supplier disputes, and commercial matters in China, Mid-East, Europe and Mexico.

Commercial Transactions: strategic business planning; negotiation and documentation for licensing agreements, employment contracts, partnership agreements, trade secrets, confidentiality and non-competition agreements, copyrights and trademarks, asset sales and mergers, online sales and affiliate relationships, real estate transactions, and construction contracts.

Alternative Dispute Resolution: certified mediator using “neutral-legal” analytical approach; developed ADR solutions for high-profile catastrophic loss cases such as Northridge Meadows Apartment collapse and Shore Cliffs landslide litigation.

General Counsel: Consulting general counsel for small and medium companies involved in real estate, construction, internet marketing, health and beauty products, nutraceuticals, pipeline corrosion products, eye wear and accessories, furniture, clothing, hospitality, studio production and broadcasting, insurance brokers, legal services, staffing, consumer and industrial product manufacturers and distributors, advertising and public relations.

Education and Legal Experience: 1989 to Present – partner with Tharpe and Howell. Licensed to practice in California, Washington State, and District of Columbia. Admitted Pro Hac Vice in Nevada, Illinois, New York and Florida. Bachelor of Science from Golden West University in 1978. Juris Doctor Degree in 1980. National awards in Corporation and Civil Procedure.

Business Experience: 1977 to 1989 – President of Austin Merle Company, nationwide distributor of consumer products, and Product Development Services, company specializing in design and development of consumer and industrial products and services.

Other Professional Interests: China business litigation; Author and speaker on legal topics; development of litigation management programs; participant in local ADR, land-use and business development associations.