General Information

Year founded: 1983
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
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Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

Trial and Appeal – Different Worlds

Trial lawyers specialize in persuading juries and judges to accept their clients’ versions of the facts. Argument – and especially written argument – about legal issues usually takes second place to the presentation of compelling evidence.

When the trial court enters judgment, everything changes. The case then goes to a panel of appellate judges – for whom the trial court’s conclusion about the facts is usually the only one that matters – and the field of battle shifts to whether the trial court applied the law correctly. The appellate court makes that decision on a written record of the trial proceedings, the strength of a couple of briefs and, at most, one short oral argument – sometimes none.

Appellate Lawyers’ Special Skills

A fresh perspective. An appellate lawyer evaluates the case objectively based on these new realities, helping parties see the case the way the appellate court is likely to see it. Appellate counsel focuses on legal and procedural issues because appellate courts do; factual findings will almost never be reexamined. The key issues on appeal often differ from those that predominated at trial.

A deep understanding of the appellate process. Experienced appellate lawyers know how reviewing courts work, and they guide clients (and trial counsel) through that new terrain. The focus shifts away from trial-level proof issues, and toward a new framework: Is the judgment appealable? What standards of review will the court apply and how do those standards affect the strength of the client’s potential arguments? Were any trial court errors preserved for appeal? Which issues are important and winnable, and which will only crowd the brief? Could this case shape the law, and if so, how?

Exceptional written advocacy. A trial-court team has many chances to explain complex legal and factual issues, in person and in writing. An appeal is different. Parties get only one or two chances – primarily through written advocacy – to educate generalist appellate judges about the relevant facts and law, and the strength of their position. Appellate counsel must streamline specialized concepts, eliminate surplus, and speak the language appellate courts understand.

A different kind of oral advocacy. Appellate judges often comment that trial lawyers who appear before them can’t shake their “jury” presentation style. Appellate lawyers understand the totally different approach required in this new forum – where the core questions are legal, not factual, and 10-30 minutes of in-person, oral advocacy per side is the norm.

Appellate Courts Rely On Appellate Lawyers

Because the appellate courts know that experienced appellate practitioners speak their language and understand their decision-making process, such lawyers can earn the courts’ trust in a way that trial counsel rarely can. As one California appellate court said:

  • [T]rial attorneys who prosecute their own appeals, such as appellant, may have “tunnel vision.” Having tried the case themselves, they become convinced of the merits of their cause. They may lose objectivity and would be well served by consulting and taking the advice of disinterested members of the bar, schooled in appellate practice. We suspect that had appellant done so they would have advised him not to pursue this appeal.(Estate of Gilkison (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 1443, 1449-50.)

Another court emphasized that “[a]ppellate work is most assuredly not the recycling of trial level points and authorities”:

  • [A]ppellate practice entails rigorous original work in its own right. The [lawyer] who takes trial level points and authorities and, without reconsideration or additional research, merely shovels them in to an appellate brief, is producing a substandard product.(In re Marriage of Shaban (2001) 88 Cal.App.4th 398, 408-410.)

Appellate courts are acutely conscious of the differences between trial and appellate lawyers. Litigants should be, too.

It’s Never Too Early To Call GMSR

Because of their special knowledge of what happens to cases on appeal, appellate lawyers can help protect and advise litigants while the case is still in the trial court. As soon as it’s clear that one side or the other will take a case up on appeal, it’s time to bring in appellate counsel to help the trial team position the case as favorably as possible. For over 30 years, clients have sought that expert help from GMSR.

Visit us at www.gmsr.com to learn more.

Firm News

Rankings

Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and metro ranked in 5 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms

National Rankings

Tier 1
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Trusts and Estates

Metro Rankings

Los Angeles
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Insurance Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier 1 for Trusts and Estates

About Our Clients

We have represented a wide variety of clients in the state and federal appellate courts, including public entities, insurance companies and major corporations. For further details, please visit https://www.gmsr.com/client-services/.

Public Entities

  • City of Anaheim
  • City of Beaumont
  • City of Beverly Hills
  • City of El Monte
  • City of Huntington Beach
  • City of Los Angeles
  • City of Madera
  • City of Moreno Valley
  • City of Oceanside
  • City of Pasadena
  • City of Pismo Beach
  • City of San Diego
  • City of San Francisco
  • City of Riverside
  • City of Union City
  • City of Westminster
  • Kern County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Mesa Union School District
  • Riverside County
  • Santa Barbara County
  • San Bernardino County
  • San Francisco County
  • Santa Clara Valley Water District
  • Sonoma County
  • Ventura County

Insurers

  • AIG Property Casualty
  • Aspen Insurance Canal Insurance
  • Continental Casualty Company
  • Farmers Group
  • Farmers Insurance Exchange
  • Farmers New World Life Insurance
  • Fidelity National Fire Insurance Exchange
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Safeco Insurance
  • State Farm
  • Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company
  • Truck Insurance Exchange
  • XL, AXA
  • Zurich American Insurance Company

Medical/Healthcare

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Delta Dental of California
  • Generations Healthcare
  • Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
  • Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • Prime Healthcare Services
  • Sutter Health
  • Tenet Healthcare
  • United Healthcare

Entertainment/Media/Sports

  • Alan Ladd, Jr.
  • Andre Young
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Anna Nicole Smith
  • Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Kim Basinger
  • MJJ Productions
  • National Football League
  • Rebel Entertainment
  • Ron Shelton
  • The Los Angeles Times
  • William Morris Endeavor

Business

  • Abraxis Bioscience
  • AECOM
  • Biogen
  • CBRE
  • Citizens Business Bank
  • City National Bank
  • East West Bank
  • Encino Motorcars
  • General Dynamics
  • General Growth Properties
  • Gulfstream Aerospace
  • Hilton Hotels
  • J-M Eagle
  • Massage Envy Franchising
  • NetApp
  • Pacific Western Bank
  • Precise Aerospace Manufacturing
  • Sempra Energy
  • Service Corp International
  • Southern California Edison
  • Turo
  • United Parcel Service
  • Warren Pumps
  • Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Highlighted Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
Appellate Practice
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland consists of masters in their particular realm, including in particular Gary Wax. I've found them to be very effective at efficiently analyzing cases and charting an appellate strategy that meets the business needs.
Appellate Practice
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland is, in my opinion, the best appellate firm in California. I have used them since 1998, and their prowess is just simply unmatched. Because of conflicts of interest, I had to use another well-respected appellate firm recently and they were very, very good; but Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland is just in a league of their own.
Paul Murphy – Murphy Rosen LLP
Appellate Practice
In my opinion, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland are the best appellate lawyers in Los Angeles. Invaluable help and their expertise in appellate law is second to none.
Daniel Reback, Partner – Reback Law Firm
Appellate Practice
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland is a premier appellate practice and has a well-cultivated reputation for excellence both among practitioners and judges across California.
Nathaniel Braun, Partner – Sinclair Braun LLP
Appellate Practice
Timothy Coates is an excellent appellate lawyer. He is professional, accessible, and highly responsive. He has earned the respect of the court at all levels, and it serves his clients well.
Greg Priamos – The City of Riverside
Appellate Practice
Greines Martin is a great firm with great results and multiple victories in appellate courts and US Supreme Court. They are our go-to appellate firm.
Roger Granbo – The County of Los Angeles
Appellate Practice
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland is by far the best appellate firm in the state of California, second to none.
Paul Murphy – Murphy Rosen LLP
Appellate Practice
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland is a premier law firm, respected across the industry and especially among the appellate bench. When they are counsel on a case, you know it is one to take seriously.
Nathaniel Braun, Partner – Sinclair Braun LLP

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 1
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Trusts and Estates

Regional Rankings

Los Angeles
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Insurance Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier 1 for Trusts and Estates
San Francisco
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Family Law
  • Government Contracts
  • Health Care Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Real Estate Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP has 12 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
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Awards

Awards are self-reported by firms and are not verified by the Best Law Firms rankings.
  • Chambers and Partners USA — Consistently ranks GMSR Band 1 in California for Litigation: Appellate Law
  • GMSR’s appellate attorneys have received the prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award seven times for major contributions to development of the law.
  • Super Lawyers: Selected ten of GMSR’s partners to its 2024 California list.

Main Location

Los Angeles, CA
6420 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90048
United States
310-859-7811 Call our Los Angeles, CA location at 310-859-7811 Get Directions Get directions to our Los Angeles, CA location

Office Locations

San Francisco, CA
50 California Street, Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111
United States
415-315-1774 Call our San Francisco, CA location at 415-315-1774 Get Directions Get directions to our San Francisco, CA location

Significant Matters

Below are matters chosen by the firm to highlight.

GMSR WINS IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

Rivas-Villegas v. Cortesluna (2021) 142 S.Ct. 4 (per curiam)

Ixchel Pharma, LLC v. Biogen, Inc. (2020) 9 Cal.5th 1130

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP v. J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc. (2018) 6 Cal.5th 59

Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co., LLC (2015) 61 Cal.4th 899

In re Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871

Stanton v. Simms (2013) 571 U.S. 3

Los Angeles County Flood Control Dist. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (2013) 568 U.S. 78

Messerschmidt v. Millender (2012) 565 U.S. 535

City of Ontario, Cal. v. Quon (2010) 560 U.S. 746

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