Valle Makoff LLP attorneys provide superior commercial litigation and dispute resolution services throughout California

Valle Makoff LLP handles complex business litigation and negotiated dispute resolutions in a wide variety of industries, including technology, finance, entertainment and media, manufacturing and real estate, as well as disputes involving service companies and professional firms. We also have a white-collar practice that handles criminal and civil investigations on behalf of companies and individuals, involving allegations of securities and business fraud as well as other potential offenses. Click here for our practice areas.

Our attorneys have extensive trial, appeal and negotiation experience with a very successful track record. We are recognized for our quality, creativity, client service, and reasonable rates. Click here for our attorney bios.

Valle Makoff LLP “often gets its next case by impressing its opponents’ clients” (“Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid“, Los Angeles Daily Journal).

FIRM NEWS & RECOGNITION

Valle Makoff Partner Matthew Sloan to Head Firm’s White-Collar Practice

Matt Sloan, formerly a partner at Skadden, Arps and a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, has joined Valle Makoff as a partner in its Los Angeles Office. Matt will head Valle Makoff’s white-collar practice, advising and representing companies and individuals in responding to government investigations, conducting internal investigations, and litigating white-collar matters through trial.  Matt will also handle traditional civil litigation.

2017 - 2024 'Best Law Firms'

Valle Makoff LLP Named To U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 ‘Best Law Firms’ List, learn more: US News & World Report.

Valle Makoff Ranked One of Best Boutique Law Firms In California

Chambers and Partners Spotlight Guide has ranked Valle Makoff as one of the best boutique law firms in California.

Valle Makoff LLP, USA: Spotlight 2025 | Chambers Profiles

Emerging Blockchain Technology and the Law

Jeff Makoff is interviewed by the Boulder County Bar Association President, March 2018

Valle Makoff's Win in the Court of Appeal Established New California Law on Voidable Transfer Act

Nagel v. Westen, 59 Cal. App. 5th 740 (2021), ruling that California’s Uniform Voidable Transfer Act does not require a transfer to a third party, was profiled in an article on Forbes.com.

Valle Makoff Opens Silicon Valley Office

Valle Makoff LLP Business Litigation Firm Welcomes New Silicon Valley Partner Timothy A. Miller, learn more: Recorder, Daily Journal.

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REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Court of Appeal Decision In Favor Of Our Client Expanding Rights of Judgment Creditors In Fraudulent Transfer Actions.

In Nagel v. Westen, 59 Cal. App. 5th 740 (2021), the California Court of Appeal made new law in California in favor of our client and other California judgment creditors. The Defendants in this case moved property out of state and purchased a home in Texas seeking to take advantage of Texas’ unlimited homestead exemption. The trial court dismissed our client’s fraudulent transfer case, ruling that there had been no transfer to a third party which was required. We were retained to handle the appeal. In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal reversed the trial court, ruling that when a judgment debtor converts property from non-exempt status ( i.e. property that is subject to collection by the creditor) to exempt status (i.e. property that is exempt from collection by the creditor), even where no third party is involved, there has been a “transfer” that can be the basis of a fraudulent transfer claim.

Groundbreaking Decision: Dismissal on Forum Non Conveniens Not Res Judicata in Colorado

In Nation SLP, LLC v. Marc Bruner and Michael Caetano,  Court of Appeals No. 21CA0223 (July 14, 2022), the Colorado Court of Appeal made new law in Colorado, ruling in our client’s favor in a published decision that a dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds is not res judicata and therefore not binding in a subsequent case. The ruling in our client’s favor reversed a trial court ruling that dismissed the case, a dispute over an oil and gas development project in Australia, permitting the case to proceed in trial court, where it is now pending.

Antitrust lawsuit against City of Los Angeles and International Longshore and Warehouse Union

On April 7, 2020, we filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of our client Harbor Performance Enhancement Center LLC against, among others, the City of Los Angeles and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for violation of antitrust law (the Sherman Act), unfair labor practices and breach of contract based on allegations that the City and the union conspired to terminate our client’s project at the Port of Los Angeles, which would have relieved Port congestion, added many jobs and provided additional environmental and other public benefits, because the union improperly demanded the exclusive right to all of the drayage jobs related to the Project. See article.

Trial Victory In Breach of Fiduciary Case

We won a complete victory for our clients in breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit following a five-week jury trial. The defense verdict ended 5-years of litigation, during which we prevailed on two separate writ petitions, obtained dismissal of the plaintiff’s professional negligence claim on a motion for summary adjudication, and eliminated an $800 million damage claim after a 9 1/2 day evidentiary hearing.

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