ROBERTO LARA

Managing Partner

rlara@lidlegal.com

Professional Profile

Roberto Lara is the founder and managing partner of Lara & Davis LLP. Mr. Lara focuses on all aspects of complex civil litigation including the trial of business disputes, real property, non-profit corporate law, and employment matters. He has litigated cases throughout California. As lead legal counsel, Mr. Lara has significant experience in representing a wide variety of individuals, corporations, non-profit corporations, general and limited partnerships, landowners and public agencies in business litigation, employment, real estate, corporate governance and other related matters.

In addition to an active trial schedule, Mr. Lara has contributed to the community by creating several non-profit corporations and has served as a founding board member for many local non-profits. He has served as a founding board member to Endeavor College Preparatory Charter School and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. He is a former member of the Advisory Board for the Orange County Business Litigation Section and a former member of the board of directors for Central City Neighborhood Partners. Mr. Lara is also the co-author of "Appraisers as Expert Witnesses: What Makes Them So Special?" published in the Journal of the International Right of Way Association.

Mr. Lara earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Stanford University in 1992. He was the recipient of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. Mr. Lara also attended the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, Chile in 1991. Mr. Lara is fluent in Spanish.

Mr. Lara earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1997. At Hastings, he participated in an externship with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office where he conducted preliminary hearings. Mr. Lara also participated in the Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation.

Mr. Lara is a member of the State Bar of California. He is admitted to practice before all of the courts in California and the United States District Court for the Central and Southern Districts of California.

Representative Matters

Mr. Lara has served as lead counsel in hundreds of matters in well over a decade as managing partner. The following is a small sample of the favorable results achieved by Mr. Lara:

  • As trial counsel successfully brought lawsuit against former employee for embezzlement and recovered over a million dollars in misappropriated funds.
  • Lead trial counsel in the defense of client in housing discrimination lawsuit. The case was successfully dismissed without any finding of liability.
  • As lead trial counsel defended client in quiet title action and filed cross-complaint, prevailing on all claims. Client obtained a monetary award of several hundred thousand dollars.
  • As lead trial counsel represented corporate client in bringing lawsuit against former employee for misappropriation of funds and interference with contractual relations. Client obtained damages against the former employee and preserved it contracts with its clients.
  • As lead trial counsel successfully defended general partnership against lawsuit from real estate broker in contract dispute. The client prevailed in counterclaim and paid nothing to claimant.
  • As lead counsel successfully defended corporate client in commercial tenant dispute. Commercial tenant was evicted and client obtained damages.
  • As lead counsel successfully defended nonprofit housing development corporation against sexual harassment claims brought by former employee.
  • As lead counsel obtained dismissal with prejudice in lawsuit filed by real property developer of multi-unit housing against general partner.
  • As lead counsel represented non-profit client with over $2 million dollars in unallowed federal costs. Resolved the dispute with the federal government and local agencies, and the client continued its operations without interruption.
  • As lead trial counsel successfully defended corporate client in shareholder derivative lawsuit seeking removal of corporate director.
  • Coordinated filing of criminal charges against employee for misappropriated funds and assisting law enforcement in obtaining crucial evidence. The wrongdoer was sentenced to state prison for several years.
  • For over twelve years has provided legal advice to large corporate clients on employment issues, including revisions to employment manuals, including the employment termination of senior level executives.
  • Represented landowner client in condemnation action, obtaining full compensation for taking of parcel, including business goodwill.
  • As lead trial counsel represented large multi-unit landowners and commercial clients in hundreds of unlawful detainer actions with overwhelming occupancy and eviction rates.
  • Represented dozens of landowners in quiet title actions throughout the years and has successfully prevailed in keeping title in the client's name.
  • Represented business and landowner in lawsuits brought by a public agency. Public agency offered nothing. Mr. Lara successfully obtained a settlement of $750,000 after the first day of trial.
  • Represented multinational company in establishing subsidiaries in Mexico. Project included the establishment of subsidiaries in three major cities in Mexico. Representation also included negotiating leases, distribution agreements, and complying with government regulations. Transaction was accomplished by closely working with legal counterparts in Mexico.
  • Represented public agency in unfair business practices case. Obtained permanent injunction against business for deceptive business practices.
  • Represented major national hospitality chain in unlawful detainer actions throughout Southern California.
  • Provided legal advice to Board of Directors for corporate client on employment termination of executive director.
  • Successfully represented corporate client on employment discrimination claim.
  • Successfully represented corporate client in boundary dispute with commercial adjoining property.
  • Provided legal advice to manufacturer corporate client on termination of employment of line staff.
  • Successfully represented client on wages and hours claims related to time keeping policy.
  • Provided legal advice to non-profit client regarding termination of senior level staff.
  • Provided legal advice to Board of Directors on employment termination of school director of charter school.
  • Represented manufacturer client in termination of employment and employment policy issues.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Founding Board Member, Endeavor College Preparatory Charter School
Board Member, Teach for America - Los Angeles
Founding and Former Board Member, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust
Former Board Member, Central City Neighborhood Partners
Former Member, The Warren J. Ferguson American Inn of Court (2000)
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, Mexican American Bar Association

EDUCATION

J.D., University of California,
Hastings College of Law, 1997

B.A., Stanford University,
International Relations, 1992

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
(Santiago, Chile), Visiting Student, 1991

BAR ADMISSIONS

California

COURT ADMISSIONS

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

LANGUAGES

Spanish