Hon. Bonnie Sabraw
Judge Sabraw has established herself as a highly experienced and
knowledgeable judge. Her reputation for “thinking outside the box” and
investing herself in the settlement process has earned her the
reputation of consistently bringing parties together to resolve
disputes, even under the most difficult circumstances.
During her 20 years on the Bench, Judge Sabraw presided over hundreds of
settlement conferences, court and jury trials in all categories of civil
litigation. From 2001 to 2006 she presided over all Environmental
Quality Assurance (CEQA) matters filed in Alameda County. Since 1996 she
has handled numerous complex matters, including many consumer and
employee class actions, unfair business practices matters, catastrophic
and mass tort personal injury cases, insurance coverage claims, real
estate disputes, eminent domain matters, construction defect, and
Proposition 65 environmental claims.
In January 2007 Judge Sabraw was assigned to the complex litigation
department.
Representative Matters:
Insurance Coverage
• Western MacArthur v. United States Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance
Company and related cases (C-721595-7 and 2002-067900.) Coverage claims
against multiple insurance carriers involving in excess of 20,000
current and future asbestos plaintiffs. After extensive litigation,
including jury and court trials, all cases settled for approximately
$2.2 billion.
Government/Constitutional Law
• People’s Advocate and National Tax Limitation Foundation v.
Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee et al (HG05 206766 and HG05
235177) Constitutional challenges to Proposition 71, the State
initiative granting $3 billion in funding for stem cell research. Two
related cases assigned to Judge Sabraw for all purposes, including court
trial. Judge Sabraw held that the initiative was constitutional.
Affirmed on appeal. Petition for hearing to the Supreme Court was
denied. (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 1319
Business/Commercial
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) v. Semiconductor
Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) (RG06 28611) The world’s
largest semiconductor manufacturing company, brought suit against the
largest semiconductor manufacturing company in mainland China alleging
misappropriation of in excess of 1000 trade secrets and other
information. The case has been aggressively managed to resolve discovery
disputes, preliminary injunction issues, summary judgment and other
matters. TSMC’s motion for anti-suit injunction to prevent litigation in
China denied. Affirmed on appeal. (2007) 161 Cal.App.4th 581. Case is
still pending.
• Falkowski v. Imation Corp. et al. (H209331-6, 02-052976) Employee
class action claiming stock option rights were illegally cancelled when
employer corporation became a subsidiary after merger. Summary judgment
granted for Defendant. Affirmed on appeal. (2005) 132 Cal.App.4th 499
Consumer Class Actions
• Cellphone Termination Fee Cases (JCCP 4332) High profile coordinated
consumer class actions against all major cellphone carriers regarding
early termination fees and handset locking. Court handled numerous
motions involving class certification issues, summary judgment, and two
jury trials (Sprint and Verizon).
• Hoffman v. American Express Travel Related Services Co. (2001 022881)
Nationwide consumer class action seeking recovery of travel related
insurance premiums. Court rendered numerous rulings regarding discovery,
summary judgment, and case management. This matter is still pending.
Personal Injury/Mass Tort
• Damian v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car et al. (HG04 165692 and HG04 166260)
Ford van rollover accident with 14 young adult occupants. Five of the
passengers died in the accident and the other nine occupants were all
seriously injured. Confidential settlement during jury trial.
• Leyvas v. Washington Hospital and Paragas, M.D. (CH 7988684) Medical
malpractice jury trial alleging that delay in treatment of jaundiced
newborn by the pediatrician and hospital resulted in quadriplegia and
cerebral palsy. Jury verdict $83 million.
• Welding Product Cases (JCCP 4388) These coordinated matters included
claims by 80 persons allegedly injured by exposure to toxic manganese
fumes. The cases presented complex case management, law and motion and
discovery issues. Many of the cases have been resolved.
Employment/Labor Class Actions
• Garcia v. Oracle/Peoplesoft et al. (RG07 321026) Class action alleging
failure to pay wages for overtime and meal and rest breaks. Court held
numerous law and motion and case management proceedings. Matter still
pending.
• Connell v. Sun Microsystems, Inc. (RG06 252310) Class action alleging
misclassification of employees. Settled after Court granted class
certification.
• Debro v. San Leandro Unified School District, et al. (CH 211565)
Action alleging racial discrimination and free speech violations. Jury
verdict for Plaintiff. Settled in punitive damage phase.
Environmental and CEQA cases
• Center for Biological Diversity, Inc. v. FPL Group, Inc. (RG04 183113)
Action against the owners and operators of energy producing wind
turbines alleging a private right of action under the public trust
doctrine for the killing of birds caught in the turbine blades.
Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings granted. Appeal pending
(A116362).
• Dipirro v. Bondo Corporation (01-032519) Challenge by individual
alleging manufacturer’s failure to warn the public that its automotive
touchup paint contained toluene, a reproductive toxin, in violation of
Proposition 65. Court trial. Affirmed on appeal (2007) 153 Cal.App.4th
150.
• Citizens For A Megaplex-Free Alameda v. City of Alameda et al. (RG05
235478) CEQA challenge alleging City’s failure to require preparation of
an environmental impact report for a large theater project. Affirmed on
appeal (2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 91.
Eminent Domain
• BART v. City and County of San Francisco (HG03 099024) Condemnation
action involving properties necessary for BART extension. Settled after
extensive settlement conferences which included participation of several
non-party public agencies.
• PG&E v. King and Lyons (HG03 081237) Condemnation action of research
and development property for PG&E easement. Resolved at Court supervised
settlement conference.
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
• Speaker on "Understanding Mediation Dynamics" at California Employment
Lawyers Association Annual Conference, October 2009
• Prop. 65 Clearinghouse Annual Conference featured speaker on "Recovery
of Attorney's Fees: Practical Implications", June 2009
• Speaker on “Common Issues That Arise in Class Action Settlements” at
Consumer Attorneys of California College of Trial Arts-Class Action
Seminar, March 2008
• Speaker on “The View From the Bench; How Condemnation Cases Are
Different” at the CLE International Eminent Domain conference, 2007
• Panelist discussing procedures in complex litigation departments in
the San Francisco Bay Area, American Business Trial Lawyers, May 2007
• Faculty member, Continuing Judicial Studies Program for Experienced
Judges, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), teaching course to
judges, justices, and court research attorneys, 2005
• Panelist at “Evidence” seminar, Consumer Attorneys of California
convention, 2004
• Member, Board of Directors, San Francisco Law School, 1997-2002
• Trial Judge of the Year, Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers
Association, 2000
• Member, American College of Business Court Judges
• Member, Alameda County Fair Board, 2007 to present
Background and Education
• Judge, Superior Court, County of Alameda, 1993-2008
• Judge, Municipal Court, County of Alameda, 1988-1993 (Presiding Judge
1992)
• Private law practice, Varni, Fraser, Hartwell, McNichols & Rodgers,
1981-1988 (Partner, 1985)
• Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County, 1979-1981
• J.D., San Francisco Law School, 1979
This page was last modified in May 2010
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the contents of this web site and any other statements contained herein are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be represented as legal advice in any way.