John Hueston and Moez Kaba have once again been named to the Daily Journal’s prestigious list of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California.
“It’s been busy,” said John Hueston, understating matters to the Daily Journal. He won a combined half-billion dollars in 2022 for Monster Energy in a jury trial and arbitration against Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX). While VPX has attempted the bankruptcy route, the CEO is still liable. “And that gave us the opening for Monster to buy Bang for hundreds of millions of dollars less than it would have been worth.”
Mr. Hueston has new challenges ahead for McDonald’s, Medtronic, and Brittney Spears’ former manager Lou Taylor, where he has replaced existing trial counsel.
“We specialize in trial work,” Mr. Hueston explained. “We are often asked to come in when serious cases look like they’re going to trial, not settle.” He went on to explain, “they’re known as ‘higher yield to trial’ matters.”
McDonald’s hired Hueston Hennigan in a bet-the-company race discrimination case brought by billionaire media mogul and entertainer Byron Allen. The suit seeks $10 billion in damages. Medtronic, facing hundreds of millions in damages, hired Hueston Hennigan to defend it in a patent infringement suit over heart valve technology. And last, Mr. Hueston replaced another law firm in upcoming conservatorship litigation, where we represent Britney Spears’ former manager and Tri Sports and Entertainment group.
Moez Kaba is co-founder of Hueston Hennigan and “a courtroom star.” After winning a number of high-profile matters, including $293 million for Monster Energy, he was voted in as Managing Partner. With a busy trial schedule ahead, Mr. Kaba explains “the prize for winning a pie-eating contest is you get more pie.”
Mr. Kaba’s success with his commercial clients parallels his success with his pro bono work. As an out gay man, he helps with LGBTQ+ advocacy. As Muslim, he fought off a threatened ban on an anti-Islamophobia program in San Diego Schools. And when authorities shut down a hotline for persons in immigration detention, he sued ICE and got the hotline restored.
“My great professional joy is to take complex cases all the way to trial,” said Mr. Kaba. “My great personal joy is to represent causes near to my heart.”
Not every case goes to trial, however. Recently, Mr. Kaba secured a settlement, after replacing a major law firm, in a $50 million claim of fraudulent inducement and breach of contract case. Mr. Kaba “later learned from the jury that his opening and cross provided a compelling defense.” He also obtained a similar mid-trial outcome for Kaiser as it faced demands for hundreds of millions of dollars in alleged underpayments. After replacing existing counsel, and delivery a compelling opening statement, and cross-examining several witnesses, the case settled.
“My aim is to tell our story through their witnesses and try to keep impeachment very tight,” Mr. Kaba said. “It only works because of our amazing colleagues and staff. I’m the conductor, but they drive the train.”
The list recognizes the very best California attorneys who have made an impact on the law and society within the last year. Mr. Hueston has been named to the prestigious list for over a decade, and Mr. Kaba has been on the list for seven consecutive years.
Click here to read Mr. Hueston’s full profile.
Click here to read Mr. Kaba’s full profile.