Charles M. Louderback
Charles M. Louderback is a trial lawyer and founder of the Louderback Law Firm. He specializes in all areas of employment law and business litigation. Mr. Louderback has successfully tried a wide range of employment issues in both state and federal courts including wrongful termination in violation of public policy, breach of contract, retaliation, harassment, discrimination based on race, age, national origin, religion and gender, together with wage and hour violations. His trial of business litigation matters is also extensive including all forms of business torts, contract actions, fraud, unfair competition, unlawful conversion of intellectual property and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Mr. Louderback's trials span counties throughout California and have produced consistently excellent results for his clients.
Mr. Louderback's trial record and relentless and successful pursuit of his clients' interests achieving victories before trial have produced the highest professional recognition and awards. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious group of trial attorneys allowing membership by invitation only based upon the trial experience of its members. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, resulting from the multi-million dollar trial verdicts obtained on behalf of his clients. Mr. Louderback has been a peer-selected member of SuperLawyers, recognizing the top lawyers in northern California, every year since its inception in 2002. He has for many years achieved an A-V rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest attorney rating possible, and is listed on the Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
Mr. Louderback's trials have involved a number of widely publicized and high-stakes cases including Ericksen v. Los Altos Golf & Country Club, where he obtained a defense verdict on behalf of his client involving the First Amendment and the Unruh Act, KS&A v. Xebec, a case of fraud and malice wherein Mr. Louderback achieved a multi-million dollar award on behalf of his clients, and the case of Hopkins v. Dow Corning which gained national publicity and recognition in the area of products liability after Mr. Louderback received a $7.3 million award on behalf of his client after a 7 week trial. Most recently, after a month long, high stakes jury trial, Mr. Louderback obtained a victorious defense verdict for his client facing claims of age discrimination and harassment and damages totaling $1,250,000 in Boswell v. Warehouse Demo Services, Inc., et al.
In addition to his trial and litigation work, Mr. Louderback is a writer and teacher for lawyers and law students. His law review article “Standards for Limiting the Tort of Bad Faith Breach of Contract" was cited as authority by the California Supreme Court in both the majority and dissenting opinions in the landmark case of Foley v. Interactive Data and in many subsequent decisions by California Courts of Appeal. In addition, Mr. Louderback is a member of the faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), teaching new attorneys how to conduct jury trials and engage in pretrial discovery. He has been a guest lecturer on trial practice and litigation strategy at Stanford University Law School, Hastings School of Law, University of Santa Clara Law School and Golden Gate University Law School.
Mr. Louderback is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is a donor and participant in a number of charitable organizations including the YMCA of Marin County, Bay Club of Marin, Marin Abused Women’s Services, St. Vincent’s School for Boys and the YMCA of San Francisco.
Prior to forming the Louderback Law Firm, Mr. Louderback was a senior litigation partner for Ongaro Burtt & Louderback LLP from 2010 to 2012, a senior litigation partner for Payne & Fears LLP from 2006 to 2010, was the owner and managing partner of The Louderback Law Firm from 1998 to 2006, and a member and partner at the law firm of Ropers & Majeski from 1980 to 1998.
Professional Awards and Recognition
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Million Dollar Advocates Circle – Membership based upon multi-million dollar trial verdicts on behalf of Mr. Louderback’s clients
- SuperLawyers – Membership since inception of the organization
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Speaking Engagements
- Guest Lecturer on Trial Litigation and Practice – Stanford University Law School, University of Santa Clara Law School and Golden Gate University Law School
- Various speaking engagements on trial litigation practice throughout the United States
Bar Admissions
- State of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Education
- J.D., University of San Francisco Law School, 1979
- B.A., European History, cum laude, University of California, Davis, 1976
Publications
- "What Employers Should Know About the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act”
Aspatore Special Report, July 2009
Professional Membership and Activities
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Santa Clara County Bar Association
- Faculty Member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- American Bar Association
Community Involvement
Contributor and participant in charitable activities sponsored by the following organizations:
- YMCA of Marin County
- YMCA of San Francisco
- Bay Club of Marin
- Marin Abused Women’s Services
- St. Vincent’s School for Boys