Joelle A. Berle

Partner

Los Angeles
T +1.310.979.8452
F +1.310.820.8859

Overview

Joelle Berle focuses her practice on complex business and commercial litigation representing corporations, businesses and individuals. She advises clients to identify and minimize their risks and exposure, manage issues and disputes and advocates for them when litigation arises. Joelle uses her passion for advocacy and extensive experience to understand client’s business needs, to collaborate with them on business and litigation strategy and tailor her approach to each matter.

Joelle is the chair of the Los Angeles office’s pro bono committee, serving economically disadvantaged persons and communities within the Los Angeles region.

She serves on the BakerHostetler Wellness initiative which is part of the firm’s ABA Well-Being Pledge. In that role, she serves as a wellness champion to raise awareness and develop programs to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our attorneys and staff.

Joelle previously served on the firmwide Women’s Steering Committee and the Los Angeles office’s Women’s Committee supporting the advancement of female attorneys in the office and the firm.

Select Experience

  • Defended two valve manufacturers in an environmental enforcement action seeking damages for the cleanup of contamination dating back to the early 1900s and prosecuted claims of responsibility against a multibillion-dollar overseas co-defendant.
  • Defeated a jurisdictional challenge by multibillion-dollar overseas entity on basis of alter ego and successor agency on the grounds that the entity undercapitalized its U.S. subsidiary at the time of its $1 billion acquisition in the mid-1980s.
  • Defended nationwide retailer in class action litigation alleging violations of California Consumer Protections Statutes arising out of alleged requests for customer personal identification information.
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Experience

  • Defended two valve manufacturers in an environmental enforcement action seeking damages for the cleanup of contamination dating back to the early 1900s and prosecuted claims of responsibility against a multibillion-dollar overseas co-defendant.
  • Defeated a jurisdictional challenge by multibillion-dollar overseas entity on basis of alter ego and successor agency on the grounds that the entity undercapitalized its U.S. subsidiary at the time of its $1 billion acquisition in the mid-1980s.
  • Defended nationwide retailer in class action litigation alleging violations of California Consumer Protections Statutes arising out of alleged requests for customer personal identification information.
  • Represented 11 worldwide medical engineering and device manufacturers in arbitration of claims arising out of a contract with an independent contractor for structured commissions.
  • Defended healthcare group’s nationwide laboratory services in breach of oral contract and fraud action arising out of claims for commissions.
  • Defended employment staffing agency in malicious prosecution of fraud claims, and obtained nearly $1 million judgment on crossclaims for misappropriation of funds arising out of breach of contract and fraud.
  • Defended rehabilitation company and laboratory testing facility in large-scale qui tam action filed by representative plaintiff on behalf of the People of the State of California against 15 outpatient drug rehabilitation facilities and laboratory testing facilities for alleged violation of the Insurance Frauds Prevention Act (IFPA).
  • Represented non-profit corporation on action against former business manager for fraudulent conveyance of real property in attempt to avoid sister state judgment on claims of fraud and conversion.
  • Defended hospital on appeal of trial court’s denial of petition for writ of administrative mandate arising out of action on breach of contract.
  • Represented shopping center in action for breach of lease agreement arising out of dispute regarding proposal for amendment to lease agreement.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Prior Positions

  • The Honorable Helen I. Bendix, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Judicial Extern (2005)
  • U.S. House of Representatives, Ways and Means Committee: Intern (2003)

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • California
  • New York

Education

  • J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 2007; Southwestern Journal of Law and Trade in the Americas, Lead Articles Editor; CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Legal Research and Writing
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2004, cum laude