Amber Munoz focuses on a broad range of matters, including complex commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense, and investigations. She represents individuals and companies in matters across an array of industries, including medical devices, food and beverage, human subjects research, commercial real estate, and biotechnology. Ms. Munoz has experience in all stages of the litigation process, including pre-complaint investigations, pleadings, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and post-trial briefing.
Ms. Munoz is also dedicated to pro bono work. She has submitted two U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs arguing civil rights and diversity issues, including recently on behalf of 35 former high-ranking military officers in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, et al., arguing that the Court should uphold the constitutionality of the consideration of race in college admissions. Amber also successfully argued for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in California state court on behalf of a pro bono client.
During law school, Ms. Munoz served as an extern for the Honorable Kim McLane Wardlaw for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and as a managing editor of the Women’s Law Journal.
Experience
Won a “record-setting” $293M verdict for Monster Energy Company against rival beverage company Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a false advertising, tortious interference, and trade secret case after a monthlong trial. The jury found Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its CEO falsely advertised the “super creatine” ingredient of its billion-dollar Bang energy drink. The verdict is believed to be one of the largest, if not the largest, Lanham Act awards ever. (See “Monster Energy wins $293 mln false-advertising verdict against rival Bang,” Reuters; “Monster Wins $293M Verdict Against VPX In False Ad Trial,” Law360; “Monster Energy Wins $293 Million False Ad Award Over Bang,” Bloomberg Law).
Won one of “the largest-ever U.S. trademark awards” (Reuters) for Monster Energy Company against rival beverage company Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Following a two-week trial, the arbitrator held that VPX’s Bang Energy does not contain advertised muscle-building creatine and infringed on “Bang” trademark. In the significant ruling, the arbitrator awarded Monster and Orange Bang $175 million in damages, nearly $10 million in attorney’s fees and costs, and a 5% royalty on all future sales of Bang Energy (with over $1.5 billion in annual sales). (See “Monster asks court to enforce $175 mln award against Bang Energy maker,” Reuters; “Monster, Orange Bang Win $175M Against Rival In Arbitration,” Law360).
Secured a favorable settlement for Amazon.com in a patent infringement lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas alleging over a billion in damages for use of Amazon Robotic’s technology in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
Successfully settled a breach of contract and tortious interference lawsuit for Intrivo Diagnostics, Inc., co-producer and exclusive distributor of the On/Go COVID-19 rapid test, against Access Bio.
Represented Sonder Corp., an apartment-hotel company that manages short-term rentals in North America and Europe, in several landlord-tenant disputes across the country.
Conducted an external investigation on behalf of a prominent California university into whistleblower allegations of regulatory violations and retaliation.
On behalf of 35 former high-ranking military officers, authored a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief arguing that the Court should uphold the constitutionality of the consideration of race in college admissions.
On behalf of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, authored an amicus brief at the certiorari stage urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant review of a case exemplifying California’s approach to race-based jury strikes.
Activities
Co-chair, New Lawyers Committee, Latina Lawyers Bar Association
Judges’ Night Committee, Mexican American Bar Association
Board Member, UCLA Law Women LEAD