Michael J. Pepek

Michael Pepek is a partner at Hall Griffin. His practice focuses primarily on advising and defending some of the largest land developers, general contractors and property managers in California in all facets of their litigation and business needs. Mr. Pepek's clients are developers and builders of all types of construction including single family homes, attached communities, commercial, multi-family and mixed use developments. His litigation experience relates to a broad range of disputes including construction defect litigation, personal injury and property damage claims, construction site accidents, insurance coverage matters, mechanics' liens, and general business litigation. Mr. Pepek also consults with these clients in prelitigation matters including the structuring of contracts and insurance for construction projects and the management of multi-family communities.

Representative Matters

  • Defended one of the nation's largest builders in hundreds of construction related claims and suits including construction defect claims pertaining to many thousands of homes.
  • Represented property management company in all aspects of their business including negotiating and drafting contracts and management agreements, risk avoidance, and defending premises liability claims.
  • Successfully defended builder of residential apartments units in multiple lawsuits asserting claims totaling over $100 million.

Practice Areas

  • Construction Litigation
  • Construction Defect
  • Contract Disputes
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Real Property
  • Business Litigation
  • Property Management
  • Insurance

Education

  • J.D., 1995, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with distinction
    • The Pacific Law Journal (McGeorge Law Review), Comment Editor and Writer, 1993 – 1995
    • Justice Roger J. Traynor Honor Society
  • B.A., 1991, Economics, University of California, San Diego

Admissions

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, District of Colorado
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Publications

  • Author, TXO v. Allianz: Due Process Limits and Introducing a Defendant's Wealth When Determining Punitive Damage Awards, 25 PAC.L.J. 1191-1234 (1994)
  • Review of Selected 1993 Legislation 25 PAC.L.J. 368 - 786 (1994)

Professional & Community Activities

  • Orange County Bar Association, Member