Greg A. Garbacz

Shareholder

Executive Profile

Greg A. Garbacz is a Shareholder in Klinedinst PC’s Irvine office. He has found success in employment, business, class action, professional liability, securities, real estate, and housing discrimination litigation. An experienced litigator and trial attorney, Mr. Garbacz has handled complex litigation and trials in both state and federal courts, including in a broad range of topical areas, which consist of employment litigation, wage and hour class actions, real estate/housing discrimination, product liability, professional/director & officer liability, and fraud/business tort cases. Mr. Garbacz has significant experience in the courtroom, having successfully handled jury trials, court trials, contractual arbitration, and mediations to achieve success for his clients inside and outside the courtroom. Equally important, with over twenty years of experience in the courtroom and negotiating business deals, Mr. Garbacz knows how best to get clients to their desired goals quickly and as efficiently as possible, proactively identifying an adversary’s weaknesses and designing a negotiation or litigation strategy to maximize the potential for success.

In addition to being a skilled litigator, Mr. Garbacz also provides unique business solutions, strategic advice and counseling to businesses with regard to a broad range of legal and contractual issues, including executive/employment contracts, employment counseling, litigation avoidance techniques, contract/dispute negotiation, misappropriation claims, unfair business practices, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, and trade secrets disputes. Many of the clients that first met Mr. Garbacz through litigation have continued to rely upon him in their regular business dealings for strategic decision making to help them avoid litigation and offer legal guidance.

002ABOTALockup-CMYK_squareT

Mr. Garbacz is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a highly-respected national advocacy group dedicated to the preservation of the right to trial by jury. An AV-rated shareholder with the firm since 1997, Mr. Garbacz is regularly featured in Southern California Super Lawyers and other publications that identify the best lawyers in Southern California. Mr. Garbacz frequently speaks at a variety of programs, seminars, and events pertaining to employment and labor law and professional liability issues. Additionally, Mr. Garbacz regularly takes on pro bono employment and housing cases for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. He currently serves on Klinedinst’s Executive Committee and as its Chief Strategy Officer, and is a former Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Garbacz opened Klinedinst’s Los Angeles office in 2002, and served as its managing shareholder from 2002 through 2005. He also has previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the firm. In addition, he currently serves as chair of the Housing Discrimination Defense and Civil Rights group and co-chair of the Business and Commercial Litigation group.

Mr. Garbacz graduated from Washington & Lee University School of Law where he was a member of its Law Review. Mr. Garbacz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. He has been licensed to practice law in California since 1993.

Education

  • Lafayette College (B.A., 1989)
  • Washington & Lee University School of Law (J.D., 1993)

Representative Cases

  • Diabetes Research Restitution LLC v. Various Director & Officer Defendants. (Securities Fraud) San Diego Superior Court. Defense verdict for multiple directors and officers of failed corporation in four week trial.  Plaintiff sought in excess of $120 million. 
  • Joseph Allen v. Dehumidification Technologies, L.P. (Employment/ Wrongful Termination-Whistleblower) Los Angeles Superior Court. Defense verdict in jury trial for Klinedinst client/employer.  Last demand was in excess of $400,000.
  • Kevin Banuelos v. 218 Properties, LLC (Housing Discrimination) Los Angeles Superior Court (Compton)   After a four week trial, Klinedinst’s clients received a defense verdict rejecting all of Plaintiff’s claims and were subsequently awarded in excess of $482,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
  • Erik Lugris, et. al. v. Full Swing Golf; Employment/ business sale dispute. Outcome: $1.6 million judgment in favor of clients.
  • Future Growth, et al. v. Gateway Title Co., et. al.; Real estate fraud, Outcome: Jury verdict with judgment in excess of $3 million for client and successful appeal upholding client’s judgment.
  • Cui v. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Employment/ disability discrimination) Orange County Superior Court. Outcome: Defense verdict for client in jury trial.
  • Sabi v. Sterling (Housing discrimination/civil rights case.) Los Angeles Superior Court. Outcome: Defense verdict in jury trial for client and successfully defended appeal.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Recognition and Awards

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law Management (2019–2026)
  • Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal (2014–2016)
  • Top Attorney in Orange County, Orange Coast Magazine (July, 2014)
  • Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine (2013, 2014, 2017–2020)
  • Named to the Southern California edition of Super Lawyers (2009–2010, 2012–2025)
  • Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers (2004)
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • American Jurisprudence Award in Mock Trial Competition

Media

Speaking Engagements

  • “Boneheaded or Brilliant: Strategies for Opening Negotiations in Employment Mediation,” Los Angeles County Bar Association, Law and Employment Seminar (September 9, 2015)
  • “‘You’re Fired!’ How to Handle a Termination and Minimize the Risk of a Lawsuit,” 24th Annual PIHRA Legal Update (January 24–27, 2011)
  • “Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Discrimination 2007 Legal Updates,” 10th Annual Klinedinst Employment Symposium (November, 2007)
  • “Defending Employment Claims: Tips and Traps” and “Staying Out of Court: Mistakes to Avoid,” 9th Annual Klinedinst Employment Symposium (November, 2006)
  • “Discovery in Employment Cases: Strategy & Considerations” 8th Annual Klinedinst Employment Symposium (December, 2005)
  • “Conflicts of Interest in a Changing World,” Lorman Education Services Seminar (August 11, 2005)
  • “Human Resources Audits,” Lorman Education Services Seminar (January, 2002)
  • “Trial By Fire,” Klinedinst Employment Law Symposium (December, 2001)
  • “Employee Rights of Privacy,” Klinedinst Employment Law: 2001 and Beyond (December, 2000)
  • “Employment Practices Liability Insurance: An Attorney’s Perspective,” National Human Resource Association (February, 2000)
  • “The Nuts & Bolts of Disability, Family, Medical & Pregnancy Leave,” Klinedinst Employment Seminar (December, 1999)
  • “The ABCs of Hospitality Law: Contracts, Torts & Employment Law,” University of California, San Diego (June, 1998)
  • “How to Avoid Being Mistaken for Lunch,” CNA Insurance Company (Malicious Prosecution Seminar)

Publications

  • Co-Author, “Voir Dire and Opening Statement: Defense Perspective,” Sexual Harassment and Retaliation: A Practical Guide for Plaintiff and Defense (2019) (Published by ABA Book Publishing)
  • “California’s New Law, First in Nation, Provides Up to Six Weeks Paid Leave,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, p. 7 (October 10, 2002)
  • “Gender Stereotypes: Nichols’ Holds Valuable Lesson for Employers,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, p.7 (September 28, 2001)
  • “Reducing Vulnerability to Malicious-Prosecution Suits,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, p. 7 (January 6, 1999); (Re-published at the ABA National Legal Malpractice Conference, April,1999)
  • “Legal Malpractice: Preserving Critical Evidence, Or, At-Least, Third-Party Spoliation Claims for Your Client,” ABTL Report (February, 1999)
  • “General Contractors Liability for Injuries is Limited,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (July 23, 1998)
  • “Cross Purposes: Indemnity Claims Against Successor Attorneys,” Los Angeles Daily Business Journal, p. 7 (December 2, 1996)

Related News

Admissions


  • California

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Practice Areas

Contact

AV Badge