Brian T. Gravdal

[email protected]
760-931-4870

EDUCATION

B.A., Sociology, University of Northern Iowa (1997); J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, CA (2005).

EXPERIENCE

In both California and Illinois, Mr. Gravdal has represented individual, corporate and institutional clients in all aspects of the litigation process, including trial, post-trial and appeals. Favorable results have been obtained in binding and non-binding arbitration, mediation, pretrial settlement conferences, informal settlement negotiations and trial. Areas of practice include professional negligence, medical malpractice, product and premises liability, commercial transportation, construction negligence and defect, third-party employer liability, civil rights, sexual abuse and other general tort liability. Below are some highlights:

  • Won summary judgment on behalf of two foster parents in a wrongful death action brought by the biological parents of the minor decedent.
  • Served as trial co-counsel in a multimillion-dollar traumatic brain injury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago.
  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of a religious institution that was alleged to have been negligent for a plaintiff’s traumatic brain injury.
  • Obtained a dismissal with prejudice following demurrer on behalf of a corporate client alleged to have been negligent for the sexual assault of a developmentally disabled minor by a third party.
  • Won summary judgment in favor of a homeowners association on claims of invasion of privacy and unfair debt collection practices.
  • Led a team that won summary judgment in favor of a residential treatment center against allegations of sexual abuse of a developmentally disabled woman.
  • Led a team that obtained dismissal of a defamation lawsuit against a Korean religious institution and its leadership.
  • Successfully won an appeal in the Ninth Circuit following a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss on claims of violation of civil rights.
  • Served as co-counsel in business dispute/breach of contract jury trial and obtained a directed verdict on fraud claims and punitive damages.
  • Led a team that won summary judgment in favor of a gym on claims of premises liability and product liability.

Before his legal career, Mr. Gravdal spent seven years working in corporate operations and technology for various healthcare corporations, including Prudential, Aetna and PacifiCare Health Systems. At B3SL, Mr. Gravdal serves as co-chair of the firm’s Marketing and Business Development Group, including responsibility for traditional and digital marketing and social media.

Mr. Gravdal is an associate in the firm’s San Diego office and lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and children.

BAR ADMITTANCE AND LICENSURE

State Bar of California; United States District Court, Central District of California, Northern District of California, United States District Court, Central District of Illinois, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

MEMBERSHIP

Los Angeles County Bar Association; Riverside Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; American Bar Association (ABA); Associate Member, ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer’s Professional Liability; Defense Research Institute; Southern California Claims Association; Transportation Lawyers Association; Oxfam Intl. (member and donor); Save the Children (member and donor); Water.org (member and donor).

PUBLICATIONS

“AB 3070 and Peremptory Juror Challenges in California: Strengthening Protection Against Discriminatory Exclusion,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (August 2021)
“Code of Civil Procedure Section 664.6 Amended to Streamline the Settlement Process: Effective January 1, 2021,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (February 2021)
“Employers Beware: California Supreme Court Says Dynamex Decision Applies Retroactively,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (February 2021)
“Important Changes to Prop 51: Intentional Tortfeasors Cannot Use Prop 51 to Reduce Their Share of Noneconomic Damages,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (September 2020)
“University of Southern California v. Superior Court: The Second District Holds USC Had No Duty to Protect Members of the Public from the Conduct of a Third Party at an Off-Campus Fraternity Party,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (January 2019)
“Senate Bill 954: New Law Requires Written Disclosure to Clients about Mediation,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (September 2018)
“Another Post-Howell Damages Consideration: The “Uninsured” Plaintiff,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (June 2018)
“Premises Liability Action Barred by Professional Negligence Statute of Limitations: Flores v. Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (May 2017)
“Bean v. Pacific Coast: Prejudgment Interest May Not Be Awarded On Costs,” Berman, Berman, Berman, Schneider & Lowary LLP, News (May 2016)
Author, “Governing Boards,” Los Angeles Lawyer, Vol. 35, No. 10 (28th Annual Real Estate Law Issue), January 2013.
Author, “Illinois Appellate Court Strikes Down Legislation Revising Gross Weight Limits For Commercial Vehicles, But Decision Temporarily Stayed,” SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, February 2011.
Co-author, “Federal and State Trends Toward Prohibition of Texting While Driving,” SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, January 4, 2011.
Author, “FMCSA Prohibits Texting by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers,” SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, September 27, 2010.
Contributor, USLAW Network Compendium of Law, 2009.
Author, “The Illinois Supreme Court Introduces New Element of Compensable Damages: Shortened Life Expectancy,” Idc Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 4, 52 (4th Qtr. 2008).
Author, The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Quixotic and Unjustified Expansion of its Authority and the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man: The Case of Michael Domingues, 11 Sw. J. of L. & Trade Am. 257 (2005).