Famed Litigator Pierce O’Donnell Joins Greenberg Glusker

March 28, 2014Article
Greenberg Glusker Press Release

Pierce O’Donnell, a nationally renowned and accomplished trial attorney, will join Greenberg Glusker as Of Counsel in the Firm’s Litigation Group on April 1, 2014.

“Pierce is a uniquely talented lawyer who is brilliant, imaginative and articulate,” said Bert Fields, one of the nation’s leading lawyers and a partner at Greenberg Glusker. “He has the proven ability to persuade judges and juries regarding novel legal theories and is truly a world-class litigator. I’m proud to call him a friend and delighted that he is joining Greenberg Glusker.”

O’Donnell was named one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal. He graduated from Yale Law School, and clerked for U. S. Supreme Court Justice Byron R. White.  Pierce has tried a long list of significant cases for major clients, such as the famed Buchwald v. Paramount Pictures case related to the movie “Coming to America,” litigation on behalf of hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Metro Goldwyn Mayer v. American Honda case that recognized federal copyright protection for James Bond. He led the team that recovered $3.5 billion for California consumers in the class action antitrust litigation against Sempra Energy and El Paso Natural Gas.

“Pierce is one of the most accomplished trial lawyers of his era,” said the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian (Ret.), a former federal judge in Los Angeles who is now affiliated with JAMS.  “I have known Pierce for 35 years, and have seen him perform in the most complex, challenging cases.  Pierce is a man of impeccable integrity with a passion for justice.  This is an ideal match of a great trial lawyer and an outstanding law firm.”

“Pierce is a groundbreaking litigator who has always served his clients with the utmost commitment and distinction,” said Bob Baradaran, managing partner of Greenberg Glusker. “We are pleased to be the Firm that welcomes him back, and are grateful for the expertise that he brings to our litigation practice.”

O’Donnell was suspended from practicing law in California for six months during 2013 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges that he violated campaign contribution laws in 2004. The suspension ended at the end of 2013, enabling him to resume his practice.

“I am excited to start anew at Greenberg Glusker,” said O’Donnell. “Over the years, I have been opposing counsel and co-counsel with Greenberg Glusker attorneys, and I have the utmost respect for this exceptional firm and its remarkable lawyers.  Now I look forward enthusiastically to being part of the Greenberg Glusker team.”

"No one brings to the courtroom the kind of intelligence, energy, and persuasiveness Pierce does," said the Honorable John K. Trotter (Ret.), a former California trial and appellate judge and a founder of JAMS. "Pierce is a lawyer of honor who is widely admired by judges and lawyers. I am delighted that he will be back in court doing what he loves so much and does so well."

O’Donnell joins an impressive group of litigators including powerhouses Bert Fields and Bonnie Eskenazi.

About Greenberg Glusker

For nearly 55 years, Greenberg Glusker has held a unique position in Los Angeles as a full-service law firm.  Greenberg Glusker maximizes client potential by providing strategic business and legal counsel in matters involving bankruptcy, corporate, employment, entertainment, environmental, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, taxation and trusts and estates. For more information, visit GreenbergGlusker.com.