Calvin E. Davis

Partner

  • Office Contact Info
  • Biography

    Calvin Davis is a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group and co-chair of the Franchise Law Group. He is an experienced trial attorney in state and federal courts, having tried to verdict cases in Southern California which include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. He has tried cases ranging from trade secret misappropriation to wrongful employment discharge, and insurance bad faith to wrongful death.

    Calvin has represented both individual and institutional clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters – including intellectual property, franchising, employment, and real estate disputes. He has substantial appellate experience, including arguing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California and Arizona appellate courts. He has also served as lead counsel in a number of class actions.

    Calvin devotes a significant portion of his practice to franchise litigation. He is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Franchise and Distribution Law - one of less than 50 in the state. He is Co-Chairman of the firm’s Franchise Law Group and a former member of the California State Bar’s Franchise Law Committee.

    Prior to joining GRSM, Calvin practiced both in large, well respected firms, and was the founder of a boutique litigation firm. He was also a trial attorney with the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. where he represented United States agencies and officials in a broad variety of litigation from injunctive proceedings to trials in districts throughout the country, involving constitutional, statutory and regulatory issues of first impression.

    Admissions

    • California
  • Practice Areas
  • Representative Experience

    Representative Experience

    • Defeated $76 million dollar claim for breach of multi-state distribution contract in federal jury trial.
    • Federal jury trial victory on behalf of national hospitality chain accused of fraud in a real estate transaction, after prevailing on summary judgment eliminating numerous other claims.
    • Prevailed in federal trial representing world’s largest security company against claims of breach of contract and fraud in sale of subsidiary.
    • State jury trial victory representing cosmetics manufacturer against claims of wrongful termination of employment and disability discrimination.
    • Defended insurance carrier against two putative nationwide class actions based on application of policy exclusions: secured dismissal of one action at pleading stage and denial of class certification for the other. 
    • For largest franchisor of real estate brokerages in country secured a writ of possession against defaulting franchisee’s real estate listings and bank accounts in California action.  In a related Colorado action against franchisee, obtained nearly $4 million summary judgment on all claims.
    • Represented national franchisors in numerous cases relating to every aspect of franchise relationship: actions against franchisees, defense of vicarious liability claims, trademark issues, defending claims under California and federal franchise disclosure and relationship laws.
    • Prevailed in arbitration representing national franchisor prosecuting claims for enforcement of franchise agreement and defending against wrongful termination claims.
    • Lead defense counsel in class actions including consumer claims, wage and hour and other employment related issues, insurance issues, and price fixing.
    • Substantial experience in trade secret actions, including prosecution of trade secret claims on behalf of prominent television trade organization.
    • Representation of employers in wrongful discharge claims including FEHA and harassment claims.
    • Defense of professional liability claims including legal and accounting malpractice.
  • Education

    Education

    J.D., Loyola Law School of Los Angeles

    • Secretary, St. Thomas More Honor Society
    • National Moot Court competition finalist
    • Editor-in-Chief, International and Comparative Law Journal

    B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

    Honors

    Top Rated Lawyer-AV® Preeminent™,
    Martindale-Hubbell

    Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Commercial Litigation (2018-2025), Franchise Law (2020-2025)

    Distinguished Service Award, United States Department of Justice, Washington D.C.

    Selected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

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