Michelle K. Sugihara

Michelle Sugihara specializes in business, real estate and probate litigation, including easement disputes, construction defect, mechanics’ liens, eminent domain, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance bad faith and other tort actions.

Ms. Sugihara also has expertise in entertainment transactional and litigation matters, including copyright and trademark. She has worked on promotion agreements and artist agreements for the national and international tours of many of today’s blockbuster music artists such as Prince, Alicia Keyes, Britney Spears, R Kelly, Trey Songz, Jonas Brothers, and Cher. She has also worked on talent releases, location releases, actor employment agreements, crew deal memos and other production documents for independent production companies.

Moreover, Ms. Sugihara represents and advises residential developers on common interest and standard subdivisions, with a special expertise on Department of Real Estate matters.

Additionally, Ms. Sugihara provides pro bono legal services to Public Counsel’s Homelessness Prevention Law Project, providing advice and counsel to homeless clients and representing them at Homeless Court. Ms. Sugihara also provides pro bono legal services to The Alliance for Children’s Rights’ Guardianship Program.

Ms. Sugihara is a member of the firm’s Associates Executive Committee, Diversity Committee, Pro Bono Committee, and Philanthropy Committee.

Recent Work / Representative Matters

Served as a key member of a trial team in a multi-week trial defending a national home appliance manufacturer, which resulted in a complete defense verdict for the client plus an award of attorneys’ fees.

Served as a key member of a trial team defending a major clothing apparel manufacturer, which resulted in a complete defense verdict for the client.

Successfully assisted a national luxury residential homebuilder navigate the California Department of Real Estate requirements and obtain public reports necessary to sell and close homes in multiple communities throughout California.

Memberships

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County - Board of Governors, Treasurer and President-Elect.

Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theatre - Executive Committee.

California Minority Counsel Program.

Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment.

Go For Broke National Education Center - Oral History Videographer Volunteer.

Japanese American Bar Association Educational Foundation – Founding member, Vice-President (2010-2011), Scholarship Committee Co-Chair (2005-2010).

Japanese American National Museum - Young Professionals Network.

Japanese American Bar Association of Greater Los Angeles - Board of Governors, Judicial Evaluations Committee.

Los Angeles County Bar Association.

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association - 2010 National Convention Planning Committee.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County - Board of Directors (2007-2010).

Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

Visual Communications.

Special Notes