Gabriel's practice is focused on representing manufacturers and suppliers of various consumer products in local and national product liability and toxic tort litigation. He has represented and advised clients in all phases of litigation (pleadings, discovery, ADR, motion practice, trial, and appeal), with an emphasis on product liability (including asbestos), personal injury, right of publicity, business and employment.
Representative Matters
First Chair Trial Matters
First chair in successful defense of American Express in Federal Court jury trial – included jury selection, opening statement, direct and cross of the central case witnesses (fact and experts) and closing argument. C.D. Cal., May 2021.
First chair in three-week jury trial for Compass Group USA, Inc. – included jury selection, opening statement, direct and cross of the central case witnesses (fact and experts) and closing argument. Los Angeles Superior Court, Lancaster, February 2023.
Other Trial Successes
Member of Shook trial team in the defense of Monster Energy Company in a precedent-setting product liability case in which, following a four-week trial, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict (this is the first case of its kind in the nation to go to verdict against an energy drink company). 2018.
Member of Shook trial team in defense of The Coca-Cola Company in a highly disputed intellectual property right of publicity case in 2019-2020.
Member of Shook trial team in defense of tour bus dealership in which jury returned complete defense verdict of more than $50 million bus rollover case in 2015.
Member of Shook Trial Team that secured for clients enforcement of a Chinese judgment in California against a California company; also participated in the drafting of the appellate brief when the case was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appellate Matters
Drafted multiple successful appellate briefs to the California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and Ninth Circuit.
Drafted and orally-argued on behalf of American Express to preserve 2021 defense verdict before Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was unanimously affirmed on June 17, 2022.