Justin J. Fields

Partner

  • Justin J. Fields
  • Phone: +1 415 957 3079

    Justin J. Fields - LinkedIn Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    Spear Tower
    One Market Plaza, Suite 2200
    San Francisco, CA 94105-1127
    USA

Justin J. Fields represents individuals and businesses in commercial litigation, with a focus on professional liability, legal malpractice, intellectual property, real estate and construction-related disputes. He also has experience in the areas of internal corporate investigations, white-collar criminal defense, regulatory compliance, products liability, and government contract disputes. Mr. Fields has represented clients in complex commercial litigation disputes in both state and federal courts. Mr. Fields is the immediate past Chair and current Advisor to the Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct ("COPRAC"), to which he was appointed by the California State Bar. For the 2014 and 2015 calendar years, Mr. Fields served as Co-Chair of the Firm-wide Associates Committee.

During law school, Mr. Fields served as a judicial extern to the Hon. Robert L. Dondero, Then-Presiding Judge – Civil Division, Superior Court of California, City and County of San Francisco.

Mr. Fields is a 2008 magna cum laude graduate of University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review, and a 2005 summa cum laude graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Representative Matters

    Professional Liability

  • Obtained nonsuit following opening statement at trial on behalf of regional law firm. Successfully argued the appeal before the California Court of Appeal.

  • Obtained dismissal of legal malpractice claim pending in arbitration on behalf of California law firm by way of dispositive motion.

  • Obtained six figure settlement in favor of national law firm facing multi-million dollar malpractice claim arising out of patent litigation.

  • Defended national law firm based in Texas in lawsuit by bankruptcy trustee claiming firm failed to detect improper insider transactions in internet startup in high end antiquities/fine art/pawn/lending space.

  • Provided advice to international clothing retailer regarding conflict of interest and engagement questions concerning outside counsel.

  • Represented law firm and individual attorneys in bad faith/insurance coverage/malicious prosecution litigation arising out of complex construction defect litigation.

    • Real Estate and Construction

  • Represented developer/purchaser in breach of contract/specific performance dispute with seller over multi-million dollar property. Obtained judgment in favor of client following trial.

  • Represented property owners and contractors in complex construction defect disputes.

  • Represented commercial property owner in dispute over easement agreement involving neighboring properties in Downtown San Francisco.

  • Represented real estate and insurance brokers in errors and omissions litigation.

    • Intellectual Property

  • Obtained consent decree and permanent injunction for well-known publication in trademark infringement dispute.

  • Advised start up clients regarding trademark and copyright license agreements and letters of understanding.

  • Represented company in trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement dispute.

  • Represented manufacturer in patent litigation involving energy technology.

    • White Collar

  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of the Board of Directors of federally chartered savings association regarding propriety of conduct of bank officials arising out of inquiry by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

  • Represented CEO of major energy corporation in connection with antitrust investigation brought by the Department of Justice.

  • Represented pharmaceutical services company in connection with fraud investigation by the Department of Justice.

  • Represented individual in lawsuit claiming violation of federal civil rights arising out of an allegedly orchestrated arrest by local police.

  • Counsel to international corporation and four of its subsidiaries in U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, investigation and the parallel class action multi-district litigation regarding alleged global price-fixing in liquid crystal display ("LCD") market.

    • General Commercial Litigation And Other Experience

  • Obtained summary judgment award of over $1 million in favor of southern California business in breach of contract dispute.

  • Represented major Bay Area amusement park in breach of contract/fraud action. Obtained settlement following two-week jury trial.

  • Obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of contractor in California False Claims Act dispute.

  • Represented start-up car share company in Unfair Competition Law action brought by local government entity.

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Estate

  • Intellectual Property

  • White-Collar Criminal Defense
  • Products Liability

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Education

  • University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, J.D., magna cum laude, 2008
    - Member, Order of the Coif, Thurston Honor Society
    - Member, Hastings International and Comparative Law Review
  • University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., summa cum laude, 2005

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in the Daily Journal's "Top Professional Responsibility Lawyers," 2023

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct ("COPRAC"), CA State Bar
     - Chair, 2021 to 2022
     - Vice Chair, 2020 to 2021
     - Committee Member, 2017 to present
  • National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association and United States Soccer Federation
    - Referee, NCAA and other soccer matches throughout California, 2001 to present
  • American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
    - Volunteer Referee and Referee Mentor, 1998 to present

Selected Publications

  • Author, “Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation under the New Rules of Professional Conduct,” MCLE Self-Study published by the State Bar, May 2019

  • Author, "Identifying and Defending Malpractice Cases Almost Certainly Destined for Trial", ABA/BNA Lawyers' Manual on Professional Conduct, September 24, 2014

  • Author, “Viewpoint: Attorney-Client Privilege Is For Lawyers, Too,” The Recorder, August 16, 2013

  • Co-author, "Five Ways to Invite (and Avoid) a Malpractice Lawsuit," The Recorder, August 1, 2013
  • Co-author, "Gunn v. Minton: The End of Legal-Malpractice Actions in Federal Court?" American Bar Association Section of Litigation-Professional Liability, May 13, 2013

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, “Ethics, Please!”, San Mateo Bar Association’s Funky Credit Day, January 27, 2023
  • Panelist, “Recent Developments in Legal Ethics – What You Need To Know,” COPRAC Ethics Symposium, State Bar of California, April 15, 2022

  • Panelist, “Recent Developments in Legal Ethics – What You Need To Know,” COPRAC Ethics Symposium, State Bar of California, April 16, 2021

  • Panelist, “New California Rules of Professional Conduct (In-House and Corporate Counsel Edition),” CLE presentation, San Francisco, California, October 8, 2018

  • Panelist, “New California Rules of Professional Conduct,” CLE presentation, San Francisco, California, September 28, 2018

  • Panelist, "Lessons Learned from First Chair Experience," Duane Morris Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2017

  • Panelist, "Secrets of Success for Associates," Duane Morris Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2015
  • Panelist, "Trial Skills," Duane Morris Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2013