ATTORNEYS AT LAWVorzimer Garber, Masserman & Ecoff, based in Beverly Hills, consists of a dynamic group of attorneys who have extensive experience in the firm's major areas of practice: business litigation; real estate; third party reproductive technology; general liability defense; general business law; family law; appellate advocacy; criminal defense; and entertainment law. Although we anticipate growth in other areas, we will continue to emphasize these fields of practice.
The firm's senior shareholders are Andrew Vorzimer, Steven Garber, Dean Masserman and Lawrence Ecoff.
Our Business Litigation and Third Party Reproductive Law practice is headed by Andrew Vorzimer, a frequent author and lecturer on subjects including Third Party Reproduction, Civil Procedure, Sexual Harassment and Unfair Competition. Mr. Vorzimer has handled numerous high profile cases including: David Copperfield vs. Butterfield & Butterfield; Elizabeth Taylor vs. The National Enquirer; Estate of Howard Hughes vs. Summa Corporation; the professional liability portion of the Twilight Zone case; and representing the State of California in the People vs. Coastal Insurance lawsuit. He is member of the State Bar of California; Association of Business Trial Lawyers; American Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association; and the Beverly Hills Bar Association and has significant experience in state, federal and appellate courts.
Steven Garber, a former bank officer at Security Pacific Bank, heads our Real Estate and Business Law departments. Mr. Garber brings a wealth of experience in assisting our clients in all real estate and business transactional matters. Additionally, Mr. Garber is an experienced trial attorney and co- chair of the firm's Business Litigation department. He is a member of the Los Angeles County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of California; and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. Mr. Garber has authored the following articles: "Walking the Tightrope: Contesting Coverage During the Underlying Case", ABA torts and Insurance Practice Section Publication; "The ABC's of ERISA", program materials for the USC Institute for Corporate Counsel, March 1992, also published in the Employee Benefits Counselor, January 1994.
Dean Masserman is a highly experienced trial lawyer, who has handled numerous jury trials in both federal and state court and serves as chairperson of the firm's defense practice. Mr. Masserman was a Deputy Public Defender for many years and upon entering private practice, expanded his litigation practice to complex business litigation and general civil liability defense. Mr. Masserman, along with other members of the firm, serves as a legal consultant for KFI radio. Most recently, Mr. Masserman has served as a frequent legal analyst for national and local television and radio talk shows, providing commentary on high profile criminal trials. He is a member of Los Angeles County (Member, Sections on: Litigation and Criminal Defense) and Federal Bar Associations; California Trial Lawyers Association; San Fernando Valley Criminal Bar Association; and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Mr Masserman is the author of "No More Double Dipping For Injured Employees", C&C Legal Update, Winter, 1994.
Lawrence Ecoff is a highly respected trial attorney, who has participated in numerous high profile matters, including: People vs. Heidi Fleiss; People vs. Rick James; Thaxton vs. Safra Bank, et al; Penzner v. Bank of America, et al.; and People v. Jeff Conaway. Mr. Ecoff's customary fields of practice include: federal and state Complex Business Litigation; White Collar Defense; Criminal Defense; Real Estate and General Civil Practice. Mr. Ecoff also lectures on topics including White Collar Defense and parallel proceedings in criminal and civil litigation. He is a member of the Los Angeles County and American Bar Associations; and the State Bar of California.
Associated with these four partners are a group of attorneys who have achieved significant results for our clients. These attorneys have the experience and maturity to handle any matter in our major areas of expertise. In each case, at least one of our partners works with the client. The supervising partner ensures that we meet our goal of providing the best legal representation at a reasonable cost. The partner in charge of the client's case will monitor closely its progress and provide the other attorneys involved with the benefit of expertise as needed.
Through a network of attorneys throughout the country, we provide nationwide support to our clients. All offices are staffed with state-of-the-art technology to provide the most effective legal services efficiently and economically. The combination of our highly qualified staff and technology results in prompt response to our clients' needs.
RESULTS |
It is our goal to continue to provide state-of- the-art legal services and close, personal attention to our clients' needs. Our clients receive the benefits of our substantial and diverse expertise in handling complex legal issues within our areas of specialty. We establish close working relationships with our clients and thereby gain an in-depth understanding of each client's business and/or individual needs. We have built a well deserved reputation for zealously protecting our clients' interests. Legal services are provided in an efficient, cost-effective manner, and we take pride in our reputation for integrity and excellence. The senior attorney in charge of each case will make further case assignments in accordance with the firm's goal of providing the best legal representation at a reasonable cost. He or she will monitor closely its progress and provide the other attorneys involved with the benefit of expertise as needed. |
NATIONWIDE SUPPORT |
Through our network of attorneys, we provide nationwide support to our clients. Consequently, we are fully capable of assisting our clients in formulating and implementing any business objective they may have. Furthermore, for our third party reproduction clients, we are capable of providing all necessary legal support, regardless of their state or country of residence. |
EMPHASIS |
We specialize in litigation with an emphasis in the areas of business litigation, employment law, third party reproduction, criminal defense, white collar defense, construction law, insurance coverage, unfair competition products liability litigation, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, family law, entertainment law, adversarial actions in bankruptcy court, family law and appellate work. Our attorneys have represented clients including Fortune 500 companies in the defense, construction, financial, computer, entertainment, insurance and retail industries. |
CLIENTS BUSINESS CONCERNS |
Given the seemingly limitless range of litigation claims that can occur in the life of any business, we provide clients with the expertise to resolve the following claim-related issues: securities, commercial collections, breach of contract, unfair competition, trademark infringement, bankruptcy litigation, corporate formation and dissolution, employment termination and harassment issues, discrimination matters, administrative hearings before all State and Federal agencies, and claims against shareholders and officers. We also provide our clients with services related to real estate transactional matters, business formation, including incorporations and partnerships, and render advice on all aspects of business operations. |
CLIENTS' INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS |
We offer our clients a full range of legal services to avoid the need to retain multiple law firms to handle their needs. In an effort to provide comprehensive legal services, we offer our clients expertise in areas including marital and non-marital transactions, divorce, will and trusts, and spousal and child support. |
INSURANCE MATTERS |
Our clients receive the benefits of a full service law firm capable of tendering and litigating insurance coverage claims. We have handled coverage issues for all types of liability: toxic substances; professional liability; commercial general liability; directors and officers; and ERISA claims. |
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY |
We have litigated professional liability claims involving attorneys, insurance agents, architects, engineers and medical professionals. Our attorneys have worked on the professional liability and insurance coverage aspects in Estate of Howard Hughes vs. Davis & Cox; Twilight Zone litigation; and on behalf of the Resolution Trust Corporation. |
THIRD-PARTY REPRODUCTION
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We offer full-service legal representation to couples and/or
surrogates utilizing third party reproductive technology. This includes
consultation, negotiation of contracts and finalization of parental rights. Our
attorneys are experienced in all current aspects of third party reproductive
technology including Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilization, Egg
Donation, and Surrogacy issues. Our firm has extensive experience in representing clients in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, federal civil rights, drug testing, polygraph issues and other employment-related matters. Our employment law practice also encompasses representation of clients in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Department of Building & Safety, the Alcohol & Beverage Commission and the Los Angeles Unified School District. |
APPELLATE DEPARTMENTCRIMINAL DEFENSE |
To provide a full range of legal services to our clients, we have
in-house expertise to manage all types of appeals and writs in state and federal
courts. Firm members have handled and argued appeals before the California and
United States Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. The firm
has also handled appeals before State and Federal administrative agencies. The Criminal Defense Practice caters to the needs of the business community, professionals, first time offenders and juveniles in a variety of criminal and administrative matters. Extensive trial experience, seasoned law clerks and investigators, as well as state of the art technology, equip this firm to handle any case in a professional and discreet manner. This practice provides representation in all areas of criminal law, felonies and misdemeanors, in both State and Federal Court to wit: narcotic offenses, violent crimes, drunk driving, weapon offenses, sex crimes and theft related offenses. The practice also offers criminal and civil representation in many administrative proceedings including, but not limited to, driver safety hearings, building code violation hearings and employment disciplinary hearings. |
Last Updated: February 12, 1997
(c) 1997 - Vorzimer, Garber, Masserman & Ecoff