Mark Chassman has decades of extensive litigation and trial experience representing clients in a variety of commercial and business lawsuits. Mark has tried dozens of jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations to verdict. He has been chosen for membership in highly selective invitation only trial lawyer organizations. Mark understands that tenacity, focus, and preparation are essential to the successful outcome of a lawsuit.
Education
J.D., Loyola Law School
B.S., California State University, Northridge (Cum Laude, Business Administration, emphasis in Finance and Real Estate)
Admissions
The State Bar of California
The State Bar of the District of Columbia
The State Bar of New York
United States District Court
- Central District of California
- Northern District of California
- Southern District of California
- Eastern District of California
Prior Experience
1985-1986: Monteleone & McCrory
1986-1988: Philips, Nizer, Benjamin, Krim & Ballon
1988-1991: Rogers & Wells [now Clifford Chance]
1991-1993: Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles
1993-2023: Chassman & Seelig, LLP
Representative Matters
Obtained a trial verdict on behalf of a Cypriot investment company against a real estate designer and project manager on claims for negligence and negligent misrepresentation arising from a real estate development in the Hollywood Hills.
Achieved a full defense jury verdict on behalf of a national grocery store defeating claims of sexual harassment and discrimination for which the plaintiff was seeking eight figures in damages.
Achieved a jury verdict on behalf of a founder of an internet business whose partnership interests were misappropriated by the other founders who then sold the business for millions of dollars depriving the client of his rightful share of the sale.
Achieved a full defense jury verdict on behalf of a Ford dealership and its owners on claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud arising from a real estate transaction.
Successfully defended a European film distributor against causes of action for breach of 10 contracts arising from the distribution of five films. This arbitration was tried before the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and brought by the sales agent on behalf of the films’ licensors. The sales agent sought damages in excess of $6 million. The European film distributor obtained a full defense judgment including an award of more than $650,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
Successfully obtained a reversal on appeal of a SLAPP motion in favor of a client suing for defamation.
Successfully defeated a motion to compel arbitration before the trial court and on appeal in a published decision on behalf of real estate investors against their co-owners on claims for partition, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud. (Kokubu v. Sudo, et al. (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1074.)
Successfully defended individuals and companies in criminal cases in state and federal courts, obtaining not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and other favorable results against an array of criminal charges.
Honors
Named as Southern California Super Lawyer
Selected as a mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court
Selected as a mediator by the United States District Court, Central District of California
Involvement
Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Publications
“Termination for Convenience – Costs Recoverable,” The Construction Lawyer, Issue 7:3 at 3 (August 1987)
- Overview
- Education & Admissions
- Prior Experience
- Representative Matters
- Honors & Involvement
- Knowledge Library