"U.S. Trial Firm of the Year" – 3 Consecutive Years (Benchmark; Law360)

Leading Professional Liability Trial Lawyer Harry Mittleman Joins Hueston Hennigan

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Hueston Hennigan is pleased to announce that former Irell & Manella partner and General Counsel Harry A. Mittleman has joined as Of Counsel in the Los Angeles office to lead the professional liability practice of Hueston Hennigan LLP.

“Harry is truly a lawyer’s lawyer,” said John Hueston. “Harry’s representation of some of the world’s leading international law firms and lawyers against lawsuits alleging legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and conflicts of interest strongly complements our growing professional liability practice.”

Mr. Mittleman was previously a partner at Irell & Manella and its General Counsel, where he focused on professional liability defense for major law firms, intellectual property litigation, and entertainment, commercial and securities litigation across a broad spectrum of industries.

In one frequently cited case that has attracted significant interest and achieved widespread influence, Mr. Mittleman secured a judgment dismissing claims for alleged professional negligence on behalf of a leading international law firm. That dismissal was then affirmed in a published decision that held, as a matter of first impression under California law, that a legal malpractice lawsuit must be dismissed where the law firm could not effectively defend the suit without revealing privileged client confidences. He also represented United Talent Agency in a high-profile, complex litigation in state and federal court against the Writers Guild of America concerning television packing fees, involving claims brought under federal and state antitrust laws, federal labor laws, federal anti-racketeering laws, and state laws.

“Harry is both a valued counselor and accomplished trial lawyer, trusted by clients and counsel alike to deliver exceptional results in the most challenging cases,” said managing partner Brian Hennigan.

For over a decade, Mr. Mittleman has been a professor at UCLA School of Law where he teaches an advanced course in business torts, focusing on commercial wrongs that cause economic harm.

“I am excited to join such a dynamic and elite national powerhouse.” Mittleman said. “In the five years since it was founded, Hueston Hennigan has become the firm to beat. I look forward to joining and expanding the firm’s already respected trial lawyers and professional liability practice.”