Summary
Before joining Bergeson, LLP, Mr. Parrett was a partner with Motley Rice LLC where he represented clients throughout the United States, Europe, and Israel in complex litigation. Today he represents corporations and executives in cases involving claims of fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties, breach of contract, and class actions. In 2019, Mr. Parrett was recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer®. Only 5% of lawyers in California are selected to receive the Super Lawyers honor.
In December 2016, Mr. Parrett was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, a preeminent invitation-only, limited-membership organization of accomplished counsel selected from around the world. Dedicated to promoting knowledge, justice, and fellowship, the Federation is composed of recognized leaders in the legal community who have achieved professional distinction.
In 2016, Mr. Parrett successfully defended a global multi-family office that manages the finances of several of Silicon Valley’s most prominent executives, winning a dismissal of the entire case on the eve of trial.
In 2015, Mr. Parrett served as lead trial counsel for Global Equipment Services and Manufacturing, Inc. (“GES”) and its CEO in multiple cases. After leading expedited discovery involving more than a dozen depositions, and navigating multiple ex parte applications and motions involving consolidation, continuance, amendment of the pleadings, judgment on the pleadings, expedited discovery, expert discovery, and writs of attachment, among others, all cases were resolved successfully for GES and its CEO.
Mr. Parrett has extensive trial experience. In 2014, Mr. Parrett was a key member of the trial defense team that secured a victory for Ruloff Capital Corporation in a complex case involving the intersection of litigation funding and champerty under international law. In 2013, Mr. Parrett was also member of the trial team that won a $1.15 billion verdict in The People of California v. Atlantic Richfield Company et al., representing multiple cities and counties, including San Francisco, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, in litigation against national lead paint manufacturers. On July 27, 2014, Mr. Parrett, along with other members of the trial team, received Public Justice’s 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award for his work on this case.
Mr. Parrett’s memberships include: Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Santa Clara County Bar Association (Civil Practice Committee Member & Judiciary Committee Member), Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and William A. Ingram Inn of Court.
Representative Cases
- People of California v. Atlantic Richfield Company et al.
Represented Santa Clara County, Alameda County and the City of Oakland, the City and County of San Francisco, the City of San Diego, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, San Mateo County, Solano County, Ventura County, for the People of the State of California, on a trial team that won $1.15 billion verdict.
- In Re September 11 Litigation
On a trial team of Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison counsel representing largest number of September 11 wrongful death victims; briefed, argued, and won motions in limine before Judge Hellerstein (SDNY) on federal preemption, conflicts of laws, and admissibility of evidence to prove damages recoverable against airlines and airport security companies.
- Giddens v. Philip Morris USA
In 2013, as first-chair lead trial counsel, won jury verdict in federal court against Philip Morris USA in wrongful death tobacco case.
- City Of Sterling Heights Retirement System v. Hospira, Inc.
Argued and won Lead Plaintiff hearing in securities fraud class action case in Chicago federal court.
- In re Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Shareholders Litigation
Argued and won motion to dismiss hearing in Winn-Dixie case against opposing counsel Stephen Lamb, former Vice Chancellor of Delaware.
- In re Coventry Health Care, Inc. Shareholders Litigation
Deposed CFO of target company’s financial advisor on the deal; case successfully resolved shortly thereafter.
- Bennett v. Sprint Nextel Corp.
As co-lead counsel for co-lead plaintiff in securities fraud class action, deposed multiple Rule 30(b)(6) witnesses; defended deposition of CFO of client, one of the largest pension funds in Europe.
- National Association of Tobacco Outlets v. City of Providence
In 2013, wrote winning amicus brief against preemption of two ordinances of Providence, R.I., banning coupons and multipack discounts on flavored tobacco products marketed to children.
- National Association of Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce, and Business Roundtable v. SEC
In 2013, wrote winning amicus brief on behalf of international humanitarian organization Global Witness to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of the SEC’s Final Rule enforcing Dodd-Frank Section 1502 that requires corporations to disclose publicly their use of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- Almog v. Arab Bank
Represented hundreds of American and Israeli terror victims in international litigation seeking to hold accountable terrorist financiers who allegedly supported dozens of terror attacks in Israel during the Second Intifada; deposed central banking experts on corporate compliance regarding financial regulations, anti-money laundering procedures, and anti-terrorist financing practices.
