DUSTIN DODGIN

I am a business lawyer with a vast, multi-disciplinary practice. My clients range from private investors and small business owners to publicly-traded companies. I navigate clients through complex business and real estate transactions as well as state court, federal court, and government agency proceedings. I also serve as outside general counsel for several clients, providing business counseling and government relations services. I have been recognized by SuperLawyers as a Rising Star from 2014 to 2021, an honor bestowed on just 2.5% of Southern California attorneys. I maintain offices in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield. Outside the practice of law, I have served as chairman of the city planning commission, chairman of the investment committee for a $5 billion pension fund, and chairman of the board of directors of Goodwill Industries of South Central California. I also volunteer as a judge for various academic competitions and coach youth baseball and soccer. Recent representations include: • Representation of private investors in a multi-property hospitality acquisition nearing $300 million; • Representation of California company in connection with $139 million contract for ventilators, one of the State of California’s largest COVID-related contracts; • Lead trial counsel for California employer in securing directed verdict in jury trial of multi-plaintiff wage and hour claim; • Representation of medical practice in expansion strategy though multiple acquisitions of California practices; • Representation of publicly-traded company in purchase of 250,000 square-foot logistics center; • Representation of private investor in acquisition of historic oil and gas development—from due diligence through post-closing negotiation of access and injection rights; • Successful defense of license in agency hearing for insurance licensee in top 1% of national company; • Lead counsel in securing complete defense of trade secret claims against client’s former company; • Representation of owner of distressed shopping center; blocked receiver for two rent cycles to complete multi-lender/multi-property debt workout without bankruptcy filing; • Lead counsel for California employer in securing summary judgment to eliminate all wage and hour claims in arbitration proceeding; • Successfully compelled arbitration in multiple actions against California employers; and • Representation of California employer with 1,500 employee class members; favorably settled wage-and-hour class action and related PAGA claims before filing a responsive pleading or responding to discovery.