Amanda Blakely has more than two decades of law firm work experience. In the course of more than a decade as a paralegal, she has successfully assisted with a wide range of litigation and transactional matters. Ms. Blakely has worked with attorneys representing both public and private sector clients on environmental matters as well as clients in the healthcare, restaurant, and real estate industries.
Ms. Blakely has been involved in all stages of litigation and transactions – from legal research to trial support. She has extensive experience with legal writing, preparation of discovery and pleadings as well as supporting transactions ranging from healthcare contracts to mergers and acquisitions.
Representative Work
Castaic Lake Water Agency, Newhall County Water District, Santa Clarita Water Company and Valencia Water Company. Part of the Nossaman team representing the Castaic Lake Water Agency that successfully obtained a summary judgment and negotiated a $100 million settlement for clean up of perchlorate contamination in the Upper Santa Clara River basin. Summary judgment decision against defendants establishing their liability for clean-up costs was published. (272 F.Supp.2d 1053 (2003)).
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Parsons-Dillingham. Assisting plaintiff's representation in complex False Claims Act litigation which involves three trial phases, the first of which is nearing judicial resolution. Work has included trial preparation, attending testimony, maintaining accurate records of all pleadings, discovery, trial and deposition exhibits as well as court transcripts. Also assisting in preparation of post-trial and appellate documents.
Gregg Development, Inc. Part of the team that represented the developer in three related lawsuits against the City of Glendale over complex CEQA and takings claims. The litigation successfully settled through public acquisition of the property for $25.25 million, an achievement reported in the National Law Journal, December 23, 2002.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Part of the team representing State agency in defending a lawsuit by a developer seeking damages for lost profits in connection with the agency's acquisition of property. The litigation was successfully terminated by nonsuit at the beginning of trial.
Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 37. Part of the trial and appellate team representing District 37 on a complex case involving an oversized and partially completed water system financed by Mello-Roos bonds, and the rights of other users for excess capacity. A 12-day jury trial resulted in an adverse judgment for $11 million. The judgment was reversed on appeal.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Healthcare Contracts. Assisted with drafting and implementing third party contracts for one of Los Angeles' pre-eminent private medical facilities.
LA Biomed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center – Healthcare Contracts. Assisted with drafting and implementing third party contracts for a public sector medical research institution.
Albertsons LLC – Liquor Licensing; Acquisition and Merger. Supported attorney retained as local California counsel by one of the three investor groups that acquired all of the Albertson's grocery stores nationwide. Handled all aspects of the mass transfer of 160 off-sale general liquor licenses from Albertson's Inc. to the investor group's newly formed entity.
Morton's Restaurant Group – Liquor Licensing. Assisted attorney
representing this international restaurant group (that owns and operates the premium "Morton's of Chicago - The Steakhouse" restaurants) in connection with all of its California alcoholic beverage licensing, regulatory and compliance matters.