Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP

Attorney

Sean A. Topp

Senior Counsel

Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP
One California Plaza
300 So. Grand Avenue, 37th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071-3147

  • 213-620-0460 - General
  • 213-624-4840 - Fax

SEAN A. TOPP specializes in all aspects of business, real estate and commercial litigation representing a variety of companies and individuals, in both state and federal courts.  His practice focuses on partnership disputes, breach of contract claims, business tort issues, commercial landlord/tenant disputes and claims of misappropriation of trade secrets.  He is experienced in all aspects of litigation ranging from the initial pleading stage through trial.

Mr. Topp also has extensive experience in the appellate process returning multiple appellate opinions that were favorable for his clients.

Mr. Topp has engaged in extensive brief writing, including motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, post-trial motions and appeals, and has vast experience in all phases of discovery.  He has also served as trial counsel in numerous jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations that have returned favorable verdicts and awards for his clients.

Mr. Topp is named to the 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Mr. Topp specializes in all aspects of business, real estate and commercial litigation representing a variety of companies and individuals, in both state and federal courts.  His practice focuses on partnership disputes, breach of contract claims, business tort issues, commercial landlord/tenant disputes and claims of misappropriation of trade secrets.  He is experienced in all aspects of litigation ranging from the initial pleading stage through trial.  Mr. Topp also has extensive experience in the appellate process returning multiple appellate opinions that were favorable for his clients.

Mr. Topp has engaged in extensive brief writing, including motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, post-trial motions and appeals, and has vast experience in all phases of discovery.  He has also served as trial counsel in numerous jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations that have returned favorable verdicts and awards for his clients.

Earlier in his legal career, Mr. Topp represented various Fortune 500 companies in cases involving claims of breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and strict products liability in various jurisdictions throughout the United States.  In this capacity, he was part of multiple trial teams that took numerous multi-million-dollar cases to verdict in both state and federal court.  Mr. Topp also has experience in the areas of consumer class action and antitrust litigation and has been involved in the prosecution of multiple class actions involving allegations of unfair business practices and breach of contract.

Mr. Topp has been chosen as a California Super Lawyers in 2024,  as well as Rising Star in 2011, 2013, 2014 & 2015.

While in law school, Mr. Topp served as a law clerk for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division and was a member of the University of San Diego’s International Law Review.

900 Wilshire Boulevard, LLC v. Farzam

Represented landlord in commercial unlawful detainer action that resulted in favorable settlement in the middle of a jury trial.

In re Farmanfarmain

Represented client in an adversary action against the debtor seeking the non-dischargeability of client’s debt due to debtor’s fraud. Reached a favorable settlement prior to trial.

Sunset Park Holdings, LLC v. Pizza 90

Represented commercial landlord in action for breach of lease against commercial tenant. Reached favorable settlement after filing application for pre-judgment writ of attachment.

Baorong Iron and Steel, Inc. v. Omni Steel Co., Inc.

Represented client in defending against claims of breach of contract and reached a favorable settlement prior to trial.

Omni Steel Co., Inc. v. Farman Steel, Inc.

Represented steel importer and distributor in action for claims of breach of contract and breach of guaranty against client’s customer.  Reached a settlement in client’s favor on the eve of trial.

Interquest Corporation v. Jancso

Represented client in arbitration in which claimant alleged that client was liable for in excess of $22 million in damages for breach of joint development agreement related to multiple commercial properties.  After two weeks of arbitration the arbitrator found in client’s favor on all causes of action asserted against him and awarded client his attorney’s fees and costs incurred in defending the action.

Harbor Marina, LLC v. Golden Hills Properties, LLC

Second chaired a bench trial regarding claims for declaratory relief and breach of commercial lease with damages in excess of $2.7 million.

 

Gaffoor v. Commercial Ventures, Inc.

Successfully defended commercial developer against claims for fraud and breach of contract in which the plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages from client.

Golden Tower Properties, LLC v. Cathedral of Praise

Successfully brought a motion for summary judgment in client’s favor on complaint for breach of commercial lease resulting in client being awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and attorney’s fees.

Glencairn Limited v. Lake Forest Alabama, LLC

Successfully brought a motion for summary judgment in an interpleader action in which the trial court determined that firm’s client was the only party entitled to the proceeds from an insurance policy.  Represented the client on appeal of the matter and the trial court’s ruling on summary judgment was affirmed on appeal.

Beverly Hills Triangle, LLC v. AYN Pharmacy, Inc.

Second chaired a three-week jury trial involving claims of breach of contract and forgery obtaining a complete victory for the landlord.  Responsible for all briefing on appeal with the Second Appellate District affirming the verdict in client’s favor, which resulted in client recovery over two million dollars in attorney’s fees from the opposing party.

Lee v. Oh (ADR Services, Inc.).

Lead counsel for an arbitration involving claims of breach of commercial lease on behalf of a commercial landlord obtaining a judgment in favor of the landlord.

Crafty Kids dba Planet Video v. Secret Handshake Entertainment

Second chaired a three-week jury trial wherein a Judgment was obtained in favor of the firm’s client in a misappropriation of trade secrets case against former employees who misappropriated trade secrets to start a competing company.

Lipkin adv. Beverly Hills Mansion, LLC

Represented third party Beverly Hills Mansion, LLC in claim to funds that were levied upon by the plaintiff in the action based on allegations of fraudulent transfers.  In December 2019, the Fourth Appellate District issued its opinion reversing the trial court’s judgment denying client’s third party claim and remanded the case to the trial court with an order that the trial court enter judgment in favor of firm’s client, Beverly Hills Mansion, LLC, on its third party claim to levied funds.