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Before joining the firm in 1997, Chris Tayback spent eight years as a prosecutor. He was a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County from 1989-1991, where he tried over 20 cases before juries in the municipal and superior courts.  He then served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California, Criminal Division, where he prosecuted another 20-plus jury trials in district court and handled approximately 40 appeals before the Ninth Circuit, receiving numerous awards from the various federal and local law enforcement agencies with which he worked. 

Mr. Tayback has continued to try, and win, jury trials in a broad range of subject matters, including patent infringement, real estate, constructions, partnership disputes, contracts and fraudAll told, he has tried over 50 jury trials--civil and criminal--in state and federal courts in California, Arizona and Massachusetts.  He has been rated "AV" by Martindale Hubbell, its highest rating.

Mr. Tayback annually serves as a visiting trial advocacy instructor at Harvard Law School.  He has appeared on ABC television's "Nightline" discussing criminal law issues, and has had his cases featured on the television program "Arrest and Trial."  He has represented lawyers in court proceedings and in investigations and hearing conducted by the Department of Justice, the Securities Exchange Commission and the United States Senate. 

Represented Freedom Wireless in a suit for patent infringement against twelve defendants for infringement of its patents on prepaid wireless telephone systems and methods. The trial lasted 15 weeks and we obtained a $128 million jury verdict entered against several wireless telephone carriers. The verdict is the largest ever awarded in Massachusetts, and was the eighth biggest verdict awarded in the U.S. that year. The case recently settled for a lump sum payment of $87 million, plus on-going royalties which are expected to generate an additional $50 million.

Represented plaintiff real estate developer against a civil engineering company in a case involving fraud in a real estate development dispute.  After substituting into the case weeks before the trial, persuaded the jury to find the defendant liable for fraud and made the findings necessary for punitive damages.  Shortly after the 3 week trial concluded, the case settled for the full amount, plus interest, and all of plaintiff's attorneys fees and costs.

Represented a Waste Management employee in a highly publicized investigation alleging corruption in the construction of a waste disposal site.  Obtained dismissal of all charges.

Represented a Waste Management employee in a highly publicized investigation alleging corruption in the construction of a waste disposal site.  Obtained dismissal of all charges.

Represented Freedom Wireless, a patent holder, in an inventorship lawsuit brought against it by a large national cellular carrier alleging that it had acquired the right to exploit certain Freedom Wireless patents because they had been licensed by a co-inventor.  After a two-week trial, judgment was entered for Freedom Wireless with a finding that there had been no co-inventor.

Represented an individual real estate developer in a lawsuit brought against him by his general contractor alleging breach of contract.  After a six week trial, obtained a complete defense verdict, and prevailed on cross-claims for breach of contract and breach of warranty; obtained damages on the cross-complaint and an award of attorney's fees and costs.

Represented Cellexis, Inc., a telecommunications reseller as a defendant and cross-claimant in a suit brought by a large cellular carrier in Phoenix, Arizona.  After three weeks of trial, the case settled with a substantial payment to Cellexis on its cross-complaint.

Represented a sub-prime mortgage lender accused of unfair competition and trademark infringement in a three week jury trial in Orange County.  Prior to the close of plaintiff's case, successfully persuaded the judge to exclude plaintiff's damages expert and preclude the presentation of its theory of damages, resulting in a prompt and successful settlement of the matter.

Represented a defense contractor accused of racial discrimination in an employment lawsuit and obtained a unanimous jury verdict in favor of the defense on the discrimination claim.

Represented CNA Insurance Company in a quasi-qui tam lawsuit brought by Erin Brockovich under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, and seeking millions of dollars in enhanced damages for alleged wrongly withheld payments related to hospital medical malpractice claims.  Persuaded the trial judge to dismiss the case without leave to amend.

Represented a large South American bank accused of money laundering by the United States government in a civil asset forfeiture proceeding seeking forfeiture and penalties in excess of $12 million.  Obtained a complete dismissal of the lawsuit based on alleged discovery violations by the government.