Troy L. Martin has handled a wide variety of complex business disputes in both Federal and State court, including matters involving misappropriation of trade secrets, partnership and limited liability company dissolutions, unfair competition claims, construction disputes, employment claims, and real property disputes. The subject matters of the disputes in which Mr. Martin has been involved include the sale of multi-million dollar resorts and hotels, the design and production of component parts of F/A 18 E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, the construction of the MetroLink Red Line and numerous ARCO service stations, and the production and marketing of french fry vending machines. Mr. Martin has also represented trustees, beneficiaries, and conservators in probate proceedings. His probate proceedings have included issues of breach of trust, invalid donative transfers, and elder abuse. Mr. Martin recently represented the daughter of Columbo star Peter Falk in establishing a conservatorship over her ailing father.
Mr. Martin frequently gives presentations and seminars on the duties of trustees and conservators. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post, and has appeared on Larry King live.
Mr. Martin is the President of the South Bay Estate Planning Council for 2010-11. He is also is a graduate and former director of the Leadership Torrance Program. He was named a “Super Lawyer – Rising Star” by Los Angeles Magazine in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Mr. Martin received his J.D. in 1996 from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He graduated cum laude and was selected for membership in the Order of the Coif, a national legal honor society. Mr. Martin received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1997, Mr. Martin served as a Research Attorney for the Honorable Thomas I. McKnew of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
A. Mr. Martin represented manufacturer of fire extinguishers deployed in engine bays of F/A-18 fighter jets in claims for breach of contract against the contractor. Mr. Martin obtained a substantial settlement of the claims.
B. Mr. Martin defended manufacturer of component parts for bomb racks used in F/A-18 fighter jets against claims for breach of contract by a supplier seeking payment for products that did not meet the contract specifications. Mr. Martin settled the claim for a small sum.
C. Mr. Martin represented manufacturer of pop-up shades in claims against retailer for failure to pay for products delivered. Mr. Martin negotiated a substantial settlement of the claims.
D. Mr. Martin defended developer and manufacturer of french fry vending machines in claims for breach of contract relating to distribution agreement in a claim in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Mr. Martin obtained a dismissal of all claims.
E. Mr. Martin represented inventor and manufacturer of the Showtime Rotisserie and Grill in claims for breach of contract relating to telemarketing services performed by the plaintiff and cross-claims for fraudulent billing. All claims were settled after mediation.
A. Mr. Martin represented a landowner who was sued by developers for allegedly breaching a land purchase agreement. After three months of trial, Mr. Martin received a jury verdict in favor of his clients.
B. Mr. Martin represented an investor in claims against the escrow company, owner, and brokers relating to failed purchase of the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo. Mr. Martin negotiated a substantial settlement of the claims after mediation.
C. Mr. Martin represented defendants in litigation resulting from the transfer of two shopping centers. Mr. Martin received an opinion by the court of appeals affirming the judgment in favor of his clients.
D. Mr. Martin represented purchaser of residential property against seller who breached the sale agreement by selling the property to a third-party. Mr. Martin negotiated a settlement whereby the seller received an option to purchase the property.
A. Mr. Martin represented the Roman Catholic Archdioceses in arbitration of claims for construction defects against the architect and general contractor of a church. Mr. Martin obtained summary judgment against the general contractor’s claim for delay damages.
B. Mr. Martin represented excavation subcontractor in claims for breach of contract against the general contractor for the MTA’s Metro Red Line. Mr. Martin obtained a favorable jury verdict after a week long trial.
C. Mr. Martin represented general contractor who built an ARCO service station in arbitration against the owner for payment under the construction contract and defended against claims of construction defect. Mr. Martin obtained a favorable arbitration award after a week of hearings.
A. Mr. Martin represented a partner in a partnership dispute that involved ownership of and right to distributions from 17 different partnerships in the self-storage industry. The case was settled after mediation.
B. Mr. Martin advised a member of a Delaware Limited Liability Company in a dispute between members that resulted in the successful dissolution of the company after a week of trial.
C. Mr. Martin represented a shareholder and partner who had been improperly excluded from an executive recruiting business by other partners and shareholders. Mr. Martin negotiated a settlement of all claims.
A. Mr. Martin represented an insurance agency against a former officer and shareholder for claims of embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, and against the former officer and shareholder and her new employer for misappropriation of trade secrets relating to the misuse of customer lists to improperly solicit clients. After a two month jury trial, Mr. Martin obtained a judgment totaling more than $1 million.
B. Mr. Martin defended a hotel in claims for breach of contract relating to termination of hotel manager. The case was settled for a small sum after Mr. Martin filed a Motion for Summary Adjudication.
C. Mr. Martin represented employer in claims for unfair competition against a competitor that induced employees to quit client’s business and misappropriate the client’s trade secrets. The claims were settled after mediation.
A. Mr. Martin represented co-trustees and heirs of the founder of Halliburton Company against another co-trustee in claims for breach of fiduciary duty relating to failure to administer trust. The claims were settled after several days of mediation.
B. Mr. Martin represented beneficiary of trust against co-trustees for claims of breach of fiduciary duty relating to failure to administer trust. Mr. Martin negotiated a settlement in which his client obtained ownership of a condominium which was the major asset of the trust.
C. Mr. Martin represented a beneficiary and co-trustee in a petition for removal of a co-trustee for breaches of trust relating to the co-trustee’s refusal to pay income and principal to the client as required by the trust documents. Mr. Martin received an order removing the co-trustee, denying the co-trustee’s petition to remove the client as co-trustee, and requiring the trust to reimburse over $100,000 in trust expenses paid by the client and pay $11,000 a month to the client.
D. Mr. Martin successfully represented son of the proposed conservatee in opposing petition by siblings to be named as conservator and prosecuting his own petition to be named conservator. Mr. Martin also received an order appointing his client as the trustee the conservatee’s living trust.
E. Mr. Martin represented the daughter of actor Peter Falk in seeking a conservatorship of the person and estate of her father.
“Managing the Wealth of Incapacitated Persons”
November 20 and December 4, 2009
Continuing Education and the Bar
“Managing the Wealth of an Incapacitated Person: A Guide to Professionals Advising Trustees and Conservators”
January 4, 2010
Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council
“Managing the Wealth of an Incapacitated Person: A Guide to Professionals Advising Trustees and Conservators”
April 8, 2010
South Bay Estate Planning Council
