John Fairbrook is a shareholder with the Sacramento law firm of Trainor Fairbrook and is the chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. Mr. Fairbrook’s litigation practice focuses on commercial real estate, real estate development, leasing, partnership and business disputes.

Mr. Fairbrook’s clients include real estate developers, national home builders, property owners, shopping center owners and building owners. Mr. Fairbrook is a veteran litigator who has tried numerous jury trials and bench trials. He routinely deals with matters involving partnership disputes and issues concerning corporate governance. During the course of his 30-year career, Mr. Fairbrook has negotiated a variety of leasing disputes

representing landlords and tenants. Significant successes for his clients include the defense of the owner of 320 acres of undeveloped property in West Sacramento from a claim of breach of contract and specific performance. John’s client triumphed with the defense of a shopping center owner from a claim of breach of contract and specific performance. He successfully obtained a judgment in excess of $2.5 million on behalf of a tenant against the shopping center owner for this breach of an exclusive use provision in a ground lease.

Mr. Fairbrook is admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of California and the District Court of Arizona; the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court.

Experience

Reported Decisions

Mr. Fairbrook’s practice includes handling matters on appeal. Cases handled on appeal by Mr. Fairbrook and reported in official publications include:

Jeni L. Pfeiffer, et al. v. City of Sunnyvale City Council (2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 1557Muzzi v. Bel Air Mart (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 456Sixells, LLC v. Cannery Business Park, LLC (2008) 170 Cal.App.4th 648U.S.A. v. 88.88 Acres of Land (Ordway) (1990) 907 F.2d 106

JURY TRIALS

During the course of his career, Mr. Fairbrook has tried numerous jury trials to verdict, both in state and federal courts. Mr. Fairbrook has had a high success rate in representing clients in jury trials, having achieved success in over 90% of the cases he has tried to a verdict. Selected jury trials handled by Mr. Fairbrook include:

Real Estate

Successfully represented national home builder in action to obtain a refund of deposit monies due to breach of real estate purchase contract by sellers. Jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff home builder. Plaintiff home builder recovered attorneys’ fees and costs, receiving a total judgment of $949,832.00.Successfully defended owner of 320 acres of undeveloped property in West Sacramento in specific performance action. The court entered judgment in favor of the property owner and assessed judgment for attorneys’ fees against unsuccessful defendants in the amount of $801,133.36. This fee award was subsequently modified to include judgment against individual members of Defendants’ LLC following successful application to pierce the corporate veil.Successfully defended a developer and custom home builder in fraud action arising out of the sale of real property. The Plaintiffs alleged that they were wrongfully induced to enter into the real estate transaction by misrepresentations of the developer/home builder. The jury returned a defense verdict in favor of Defendant.Acted as trial counsel on behalf of Plaintiff property owner. The case involved issues of taking by inverse condemnation and a claim for nuisance arising out of the operation of a waste water treatment facility. Following a four month jury trial, the jury returned a verdict for Plaintiff in the sum of $2,564,009.00. This verdict was affirmed on appeal.Acted as co-trial counsel on behalf of property owner in Eminent Domain proceeding before U.S. District Court (Ninth Circuit). This case involved the valuation of property rich in limestone taken by U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers in connection with the construction of the New Melones Dam. Handled this case on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. The Appellate Court upheld a total award, including interest and attorneys’ fees, in excess of $2.7 million. (See Reported Decision U.S.A. v. 88.88 Acres of Land (Ordway) (1990) 907 F.2d 106.)

Leases

Successfully defended owner of property in action to enforce option to purchase contained in a ground lease. Following trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the property owner and denied Plaintiff’s claim for specific performance.Successfully represented owner of shopping center in action for declaratory relief. This case involved interpretation under the lease and impermissible use of common areas by tenant. Case was affirmed on appeal in reported decision of Muzzi v. Bel Air Mart (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 456.Successfully represented Tenant against a national REIT for breach of exclusive use provision. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff/Tenant in the sum of $1,480,740. Following Plaintiff’s election to seek rescission, court entered judgment in favor of Plaintiff in the sum of $2,142,175.Successfully represented REIT and owner of shopping center in claim of breach of exclusive use provision of lease. Following trial, the jury entered verdict in favor of the shopping center owner.

Business and Warranty

Successfully defended owner of a landfill operation from claims of breach of contract and fraud. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Trainor Fairbrook’s client.Acted as lead trial counsel in federal court jury trial. Successfully represented, federally affiliated lender as Plaintiff in a lawsuit against a loan originator for breach of contract and fraud. Following trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Fairbrook’s client in excess of $1,900,000.Acted as lead trial counsel on behalf of manufacturing company in lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty and violations of the Lanham Act. Case involved breaches of fiduciary duty and trademark violations by former corporate officer. Following trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Fairbrook’s client. The court awarded attorneys’ fees and Trainor Fairbrook’s client obtained a judgment in excess of $1,400,000.00.Acted as trial counsel on behalf of a major automobile manufacturer in consumer fraud action. This case involved claims made by Plaintiffs that the manufacturer defrauded Plaintiffs by failing to properly disclose information concerning a vehicle which had been repurchased by the manufacturer pursuant to California’s Lemon Law. The jury returned a defense verdict in favor of the manufacturer.Acted as trial counsel on behalf of a major automobile manufacturer in consumer fraud action. The Plaintiff alleged the manufacturer was liable for fraud arising out of the purchase of a used vehicle for failing to disclose the vehicle’s repair history. The jury returned a defense verdict in favor of the manufacturer.

Court Trials, Arbitrations and Administrative Hearings

Successfully defended an Environmental Impact Report for expansion of medical office complex in downtown Sunnyvale. The trial court ruling was upheld on appeal. (See Pfeiffer, et al. v. City of Sunnyvale City Council (2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 1557.)Successfully represented a real estate broker in disciplinary proceedings brought by the Department of Real Estate. Following a nine-day evidentiary hearing, the administrative law judge returned a verdict completely exonerating Trainor Fairbrook’s client from any wrongdoing.Successfully defended this federal court case involving interpretation of lease and CC&R’s. The court determined that the client had complied with all obligations necessary to go forward with modification of the shopping center subject to the CC&R’s. The court awarded attorneys’ fees in favor of Mr. Frairbrook’s client in the sum of $231,713.10.Represented owner in Construction Claim Arbitration before the California Office of Administrative Hearings. This case involved a claim by the general contractor in excess of $7 million arising out of the construction of Lincoln Plaza (currently CalPERS headquarters) in Downtown Sacramento.Acted as lead counsel representing the Transit District in Construction Claim Arbitration before the California Office of Administrative Hearings. This case involved in excess of $8 million of construction claims by the general contractor arising out of the construction of the Sacramento Light Rail facility. The case was favorably settled prior to trial.

News

2017 Best Law Firm – 11/01/2016Trainor Fairbrook Recognized as Best Law FirmBest of the Bar 2016 – 08/30/2016Unprecedented! 13 Attorneys Named Best of the BarBest Lawyers 2017 – 08/17/2016Congratulations to our Northern California Best Lawyers!Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2016 – 08/10/2016Nine Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Selected as Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising StarsTrainor Fairbrook Recovers Millions for Tribal Casino – 06/22/2016Trainor Fairbrook Recovers Millions in a Construction Defect Case2016 Best Law Firm – 11/03/2015Trainor Fairbrook Recognized as Best Law FirmNorthern California Best Lawyers – 08/19/2015Congratulations to our Northern California Best Lawyers!Lawyer of the Year 2016 – 08/19/2015John Fairbrook Named Lawyer of the Year!Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2015 – 08/18/2015Nine Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Selected to Super LawyersSacramento Magazine Top Lawyers – 08/13/201575% of Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Selected as Top LawyersCalifornia’s Top Ranked Law Firm – 08/13/2015Trainor Fairbrook is California ‘s Top Ranked Law Firm of 20152015 Best Law Firm – 11/04/2014Trainor Fairbrook Recognized as Best Law Firm Again!Best of the Bar 2014 – 09/09/2014Chuck Trainor and John Fairbrook selected to Best of Bar 2014Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America® – 08/19/2014Three Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America®Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Recognized as Northern California Super Lawyers – 07/09/2014Trainor Fairbrook is honored to announce that eight attorneys have been named 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!Northern California Best Lawyers! – 12/04/2013Congratulations to our Northern California’s Best Lawyers!Best of the Bar – 09/06/2013Three Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Selected "Best of the Bar"John Fairbrook is a BEST LAWYER! – 08/15/2013John Fairbrook selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America®2012 Northern California Super Lawyers – 07/10/2012Trainor Fairbrook Attorneys Honored as 2012 Northern California Super LawyersTrainor Fairbrook Attorneys Honored as 2011 Northern California Super Lawyers – 07/17/2011Trainor Fairbrook is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys have been named 2011 Northern California Super Lawyers.