Joseph Wohrle joined the firm in 2021 and is a member of the firm’s Litigation, Financial Services & Creditors’ Rights, and Labor and Employment departments.
 
Some of Joseph’s representative matters include:

• Lead trial counsel for multinational petrochemical manufacturer in lawsuit alleging failure to pay for polymer shipments against a U.S.-based distributor and its former shareholder, obtaining a $13.7 million jury verdict after a three-week trial, including judgment against the sole shareholder on the basis of the “alter-ego” theory
• Successful trial defense in matter brought by the State of California against automobile repair facility for permanent revocation of license and fines and penalties based on insurer’s fraud complaints; court found no fraud, imposed $427 fine for one unintentional paperwork error
• Successful defense of insurance fraud “qui tam” action to recover sums paid by insurer to automobile repair facilities alleged to have defrauded insurer of millions of dollars; this and State of California’s license subsequent revocation action (defense judgment obtained) were the subject of a Los Angeles Daily Journal cover story and a companion article about Joseph’s practice (“Gentlemanly Fighter,” October 17, 2001 issue)
• Prevailing at trial for defendants sued by national fast-food chain for breach of store lease, with post-trial attorney fee award
• Defense verdict in action by commercial lessor against lessee alleging intentional damage to property upon vacation of premises, including verdict on cross-complaint for failure to refund security deposit and other damages
• Obtaining a defense verdict in an insurance bad-faith action arising out of a claims for damage to commercial property and business interruption
• Securing pre-trial dismissal of a commercial insurance brokerage in an action alleging negligence regarding policy procurement
• Successful defense of a prominent Los Angeles restaurant group in a class action alleging food mislabeling
• Obtaining a settlement on behalf of a defendant sued in federal court for alleged violations of federal procurement law where over $10 million was sought; dismissal with prejudice obtained in exchange for cost waiver
• Securing pre-trial dismissal of a prominent labor union sued for breaches of collective bargaining agreement and duty of fair representation; after removal to federal court, dismissal with prejudice obtained in exchange for cost waiver and mutual general releases
• Prevailing for claimant medical practice in a two-week arbitration hearing, with approximately $3.5 million awarded

 
Joseph is Lexis/Nexis Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent.”
 
From 2005 to 2021, Joseph was an Adjunct Professor of Law at his alma mater, Loyola Law School, where he taught California civil procedure to second- and third-year law students.
 
Joseph enjoys bicycling, running, reading (especially historical fiction), and listening to jazz and classical music in his spare time.

 

EDUCATION

• San Diego State University, B.A., Cum Laude, and Distinction in Political Science, 1986
• Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D., Dean’s List (Second Year), Academic Scholarship Recipient (Third Year)

 

PRACTICE AREAS

• Financial Services and Creditors’ Rights
• Litigation
• Labor and Employment