The most expensive contract dispute in recent Los Angeles history began with a handshake between brothers, a useful reminder for anyone deciding whether to hire a contract lawyer in Los Angeles before a deal goes sideways rather than after. In 2024, a downtown jury awarded about $10 billion over a family business partnership that was never put in writing. Two years later, the case is still being sorted out on appeal.
Most contract problems are far smaller, but they follow the same pattern. Vague terms, missing signatures, and “we’ll figure it out later” promises become lawsuits when money or relationships go bad. Some lawyers are best at writing contracts that hold up. Others are best at enforcing or attacking them in court. The five below cover both sides, and each has current 2026 recognition or a recent public record you can check.
California Contract Law Essentials
A few state rules come up in almost every Los Angeles contract dispute:
- Deadlines to sue: Generally four years for a written contract and two years for an oral one.
- Attorney fees go both ways: Under Civil Code section 1717, a fee clause that favors only one party is treated as reciprocal. Whoever wins can recover fees.
- Some deals must be in writing: These include real estate sales and agreements that can’t be completed within one year.
- Non-competes: California voids most employee non-compete agreements, no matter what the contract says.
- Small claims option: Individuals can sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court, where lawyers generally can’t represent either side at the hearing.
- Good faith is built in: California reads an implied promise of good faith and fair dealing into every contract.
When the Deal Has Already Gone Wrong
1. Hueston Hennigan: John Hueston
John Hueston was one of the lead federal prosecutors in the Enron trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling. He now runs one of the most respected trial boutiques in the country from downtown Los Angeles. Chambers USA ranks Hueston Hennigan among “The Elite” for California general commercial litigation, in its top band. In 2025, Benchmark Litigation named him U.S. General Commercial Litigator of the Year.
The firm’s results for Monster Energy show how commercial disputes can stack up. It won a $293 million false advertising verdict against the maker of Bang energy drinks, which the Ninth Circuit affirmed. In a separate arbitration, it won $175 million in damages plus a 5% royalty on future Bang sales. It also secured a settlement of more than $300 million for Match Group against Google on the eve of trial.
- Best for: high-stakes business disputes likely headed to trial
- Office: 523 West 6th Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90014
2. Munger, Tolles & Olson: Brad Brian, Bethany Kristovich, and Daniel Levin
Founded in Los Angeles in 1962, with Charlie Munger among its founders, this firm has long been the choice of large companies with large problems. It now has more than 200 lawyers. In 2026 it received 62 Chambers rankings, including a place among “The Elite” for general commercial litigation both nationally and in California.
Three of its lawyers are individually ranked for California commercial litigation in 2026: Brad Brian, Bethany Kristovich, and Daniel Levin. With that much depth, one team can handle a contract case from the first motion through appeal. That matters, because in big contract cases the most important ruling often comes after the verdict.
- Best for: corporations facing bet-the-company contract or commercial litigation
- Office: 350 South Grand Avenue, 50th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
3. Ross LLP: Peter Ross
The handshake case belongs here. Ross LLP is a Century City trial boutique formed in late 2021 by lawyers who left Ellis George, including Peter Ross. It represented two of the Jogani brothers in their decades-long fight over a family real estate and diamond partnership.
After a five-month trial, a Los Angeles jury in March 2024 awarded about $10 billion, including $3 billion in punitive damages. The judge later added $428 million in prejudgment interest. In January 2025, the firm won another month-long jury trial, this time over trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Best for: partnership breakups and business divorces with large sums at stake
- Office: 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1870, Los Angeles, CA 90067
When You Need the Contract Written Right
4. Ziffren Brittenham: John Branca
In Hollywood, the contract is the business. A star’s back-end points, a songwriter’s publishing split, or a director’s final-cut rights are all negotiated line by line. Ziffren Brittenham has been one of the industry’s leading talent deal firms since Ken Ziffren and Skip Brittenham founded it in 1978. Brittenham died in July 2025 at 83. The firm was famously private and for years had no website.
John Branca holds a 2026 Chambers Band 1 ranking for California entertainment transactional work focused on talent. Chambers notes that he continues to negotiate complex recording and publishing deals for prominent artists. He is also known as a co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate.
- Best for: actors, musicians, directors, and producers negotiating major deals
- Office: 1801 Century Park West, Los Angeles, CA 90067
5. Lewitt Hackman: Contracts for Owner-Run Businesses
Most Los Angeles businesses don’t need an Elite-ranked trial firm. They need clear supplier agreements, buy-sell provisions between partners, sound franchise documents, and someone to review a commercial lease before signing. Lewitt Hackman has served that market from Encino since 1969.
Its business practice covers acquisitions, succession planning, commercial real estate, and employer protections. Best Law Firms ranks its franchise practice nationally and in Los Angeles. Nine of its attorneys appear in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers or Ones to Watch, and the firm holds metro rankings in eight practice areas.
- Best for: family businesses, franchisors and franchisees, and growing companies in the San Fernando Valley
- Office: 16633 Ventura Boulevard, 11th Floor, Encino, CA 91436
The $10 Billion Handshake, Two Years Later
The Jogani case shows how far an unwritten deal can go. According to the court record, the brothers’ 1995 real estate partnership was never put in writing, in keeping with family custom. Decades later, that missing document became the center of one of the largest verdicts in Los Angeles County history.
On February 24, 2026, the California Court of Appeal largely upheld the judgment, which with interest totaled about $6.85 billion. It also found that the trial court had wrongly admitted an expert opinion on about $1.98 billion in lost profits. The plaintiffs must now accept a reduced award or face a new trial on part of the damages.
The lessons for any business are practical:
- Put partnerships and profit splits in writing, even with family.
- Keep records of who contributed what and when.
- Address what happens if the relationship ends before it does.
This content is general information, not legal advice. Contract rights depend on exact wording and facts, so speak with a licensed California attorney before signing or suing.
Contract Questions LA Business Owners Ask
Q1. How much does a contract lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
A: Simple contract reviews often cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Litigation costs far more, and partner rates at top commercial trial firms often exceed $1,000 an hour.
Q2. Is a verbal agreement legally binding in California?
A: Often, yes. Oral contracts are enforceable for many deals, but proving their terms is harder, and the deadline to sue is only two years.
Q3. How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in California?
A: Generally four years for a written contract and two years for an oral one, usually starting from the date of the breach.
Q4. Can I get my attorney fees back if I win a contract case?
A: Only if the contract has a fee clause or a specific law allows it. California makes one-sided fee clauses reciprocal, so either winning party can recover.
