Clark Gable Estates, Encino...

2003: Clark Gable Estates
$4,000,000 Slope Failure Case

The Castro office has had considerable success litigating, arbitrating and mediating landslide and slope failure cases. In 2001 through 2003, the Castro firm litigated a massive slope failure case in the Clark Gable Estate section of Encino. The two month jury trial and subsequent court orders netted over $4,000,000 for the repair and stabilization of the failed hillside that threatened both down slope owners and the up-slope homes.

The Castro firm involved the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, Grading Division, and called the head of the Grading Division as a key witness. The firm also successfully represented its clients when the defendants appealed the court ordered repair in proceedings before the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners.

In a post trial hearing where plaintiffs requested an attorney fee award the court stated:

THE COURT [To Joel Castro]: "Well. I’ll go farther than that. I think you did a fabulous job, and I was impressed with that." (Judge Harwin July 24, 2003 Court Reporter’s Transcript, page 61)