A partner with Locke Lord since 1996, Mr. Popham joined the firm directly out of law school in 1986 and has, during the past 27 years, represented as lead counsel a wide range of clients from large corporations and clients to smaller business entities and individuals. He is currently Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office.
An experienced trial lawyer, Mr. Popham has handled numerous matters in different jurisdictions in both state and federal courts. His current practice focuses upon cases involving complex business litigation, unfair business practices and competition, class action defense, aviation, insurance coverage and bad faith, commercial disputes, products liability, marine and admiralty, energy and toxic torts.
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1986
American Jurisprudence Award - B.A., magna cum laude, University of California, Los Angeles, 1981
Bar Admissions
Admitted To Practice
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1986
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- State Courts, California
Representative Experience
- Lead counsel on a significant aviation products liability insurance coverage and bad faith matter with potential exposure in the amount of approximately $100 million which reached the California Supreme Court.
- Lead counsel on a $5.3 billion fraudulent concealment toxic tort case brought by 83 plaintiffs against a major film lab and related companies.
- Lead counsel on a $20 million products liability case involving an alleged defective autopilot system.
- Lead counsel in a highly publicized complex business litigation matter involving purported regulatory violations and claims against the client exceeding $100 million.
- Lead counsel in numerous high-exposure, complex insurance coverage and bad faith matters involving claims in the millions in addition to significant demands for punitive damages.
- Lead counsel on toxic torts cases involving wrongful death and bodily injury claims seeking millions of dollars.
- Lead counsel on a significant property damage products liability claim involving an alleged defective landing gear system on a fixed-wing aircraft.
- Lead counsel on a highly publicized $5 million claim against a major foreign airline filed by animal rights activists.
- Lead counsel on a multimillion dollar case involving an alleged defective all terrain vehicle.
- Lead counsel on commercial disputes and complex business litigation matters regarding distribution rights, royalty issues and title ownership claims.
- Lead counsel on a precedent setting class action case involving issues relating to recently enacted breach of security notification statutes.
- Co-lead counsel on case involving the near explosion of an aircraft and emergency evacuation resulting in numerous claims in state and federal court against the air carrier.
- Lead counsel in commercial litigation involving video royalties and distribution rights.
- Lead counsel in complex business litigation relating to satellite rights and related contractual disputes.
- Lead counsel in class action case involving claims against insurer for lack of coverage for entirety of policy period.
- Lead counsel in multi-state breast implant class action cases on behalf of a foreign manufacturer.
- Lead counsel in defense of numerous complex business litigation matters involving claims of unfair business practices and competition and claims for injunctive relief.
- Lead counsel on insurance coverage matter involving multimillion dollar claim relating to the loss of a luxury yacht.
- Lead counsel on a million dollar plus personal injury products liability lawsuit against a concrete water pipe manufacturer.
- Lead counsel on numerous fixed wing and helicopter wrongful death and bodily injury cases involving claims exceeding $20 million.
- Lead counsel on numerous Proposition 65 duty to warn cases.
- Lead counsel on numerous wrongful death and bodily injury matters seeking damages in excess of $1 million.
- Co-lead counsel on complex commercial litigation matter involving claim in excess of $20 million for alleged sale of contaminated natural gas.
- Lead counsel on numerous Warsaw Convention claims brought against air carrier.
- Lead counsel on a highly publicized matter involving purported human rights violations, RICO violations and violations of the Alien Tort Claims Statute.
- Lead counsel on complex securities fraud cases.
- Lead counsel on highly publicized petroleum tank explosion case involving significant property damage and bodily injury claims.
- Lead counsel on numerous wrongful death and bodily injury products liability cases involving alleged exposure to asbestos.
Publications & Presentations
Professional History
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of California
- Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Member, State Bar of California Litigation Section
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