“What happens to one happens to us all. … All flourishing is mutual.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
Curtis Carll ยท San Diego Attorney
Civil litigation support for solo lawyers and small firms.
A critical motion. A complex brief. An upcoming trial. Curtis Carll helps you turn difficult legal issues into clear, persuasive arguments.
About
A San Diego litigator.
He has practiced in San Diego his entire career, starting at Latham & Watkins, then a boutique trial firm and Solomon Ward, before opening his own firm here in 2016. For five years, he ran a solo practice representing employees and some small businesses. For the last five years, he has worked primarily behind the scenes for other firms, preparing motions and briefs, helping with trial preparation, and advising on strategy. Along the way, he has continued to take on select clients of his own.
Curtis also represents employees in select matters.
And he takes on pro bono cases involving causes he cares deeply about.
Current project
- Franklin Elementary joint-use field
- Off-leash dog problem
Track record
Results.
Counsel of record
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As sole appellate counsel for a homeowner, reversed the dismissal of her case against the bank, reviving her claims on appeal.
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Defended an individual against an investor’s contract claim, winning summary disposition on the threshold issues under JAMS Rule 18 and defeating a claim for a substantial sum without a full hearing.
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For a family taking on their school district, secured the services their child needed and waived the fees the district would otherwise have owed.
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For a terminated employee, defeated the employer’s motion for summary judgment; the case then resolved.
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Secured settlements for employees in disputes with their employers, each resolved before any lawsuit was filed.
Behind the scenes
Brought in by other firms to help on high-stakes matters.
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Helped defend a jury verdict for an individual, opposing the post-trial motions that sought to overturn it.
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Contributed to defeating the HOA’s motion for summary judgment.
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Worked with the trial team to defeat the opposing party’s motion for summary judgment, and suggested the anti-SLAPP motion the client brought and won.
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Assisted a plaintiffs’ class-action firm with the dispositive and in-limine motions on its employment and harassment matters; the cases settled on the eve of trial.
How I practice
Nearly twenty years of civil litigation have taught me that advocacy can be forceful and still be honorable. The work calls for thorough preparation, clear arguments, and the judgment to know when to press hard and when to listen. It also calls for respect for the people across the table, even when the disagreement is fierce. The law should serve everyone who turns to it. In my work with firms and solo practitioners, I’ve found that approach isn’t just the decent one. It’s been the effective one.
In their words
From the lawyers I work with.
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“Thank you for great work on this. It is tricky and the arbitrator complimented the opposition work specifically - nicely done!”
Principal, Orange County business and real estate litigation firm
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“Thank you for the excellent research and the legal brief.”
Orange County business litigator, retired after 50 years in practice
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“This is BRILLIANTLY written. It is so refreshing to work with a writer of your caliber.”
Litigation attorney, San Diego
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“We love reaching out and you pitching in. It’s always high-level efficient work.”
Partner, San Diego employment and class action firm
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“The brief was excellent and we really appreciate your help.”
Partner, San Diego business litigation firm
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“You’re a great writer.”
Litigation attorney, Laguna Beach
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“Excellent work as always.”
Plaintiffs’ wage-and-hour attorney, Los Angeles
References available upon request.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every matter turns on its own facts.
On my shelf
Books that have shaped me.
On writing
- Clear and Simple as the Truth
- The Lawyer’s Guide to Writing Well
- Simple & Direct
- Point Made
- The Winning Brief
- Thinking Like a Writer
- Writing to Win
Beyond the desk
Buy them from an independent bookstore, like San Diego’s The Book Catapult. Or better yet, borrow them: support your local library, such as the San Diego County Library.
What happens to one happens to us all. …
All flourishing is mutual.