Julia Strickland’s practice focuses on the defense of class actions and other complex actions, and she is widely recognized as one of the best litigators in the country. The Los Angeles Daily Journal has named her one of California’s “Top Women Lawyers” for eight years running, and leading corporate counsel named her a “Client Services All-Star” for her “uncanny ability to anticipate opposing counsel” as well as being “very customer focused and practical” and able to “handle both complex and routine work – it's rare to find that in a single lawyer.” She has also been honored by
Super Lawyers (for outstanding work in Banking Law and as one of Los Angeles’s Top Women Lawyers), Benchmark Litigation (as both as a top California litigator and one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation”), the
Los Angeles Times (as one of “Southern California’s Best Lawyers) and
The Best Lawyers in America, a peer-review publication partnered with
U.S. News & World Report.
Ms. Strickland represents clients across a wide range of industries, and has experience with the full range of litigation issues confronting large companies, having defended hundreds of complex and class actions through all stages of the litigation process. She has argued twice to the California Supreme Court as lead counsel on issues of critical concern in connection with the defense of class actions –
Washington Mutual Bank v. Superior Court (Briseno) and
Discover Bank v. Superior Court (Boehr), and has obtained landmark rulings with respect to the standards for nationwide certification of class actions and holding that California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act does not apply to credit transactions. She also has successfully handled matters before the Ninth Circuit, Second Circuit, Fifth Circuit, Eighth and Eleventh Circuit, prevailing on issues including preemption, choice of law and arbitration. Ms. Strickland recently won a case before the Third Circuit in
G.R. Homa v. American Express involving consumer arbitration. Ms. Strickland also argued and prevailed before the Ninth Circuit in
Chae v. SLM Corporation, an important decision affirming federal preemption of California contract and consumer-protection laws in the student-lending industry. She also recently argued and prevailed before the
Fifth Circuit in Langley v. Chase Bank, a case involving credit card payment posting. In addition she has defeated claims brought under the federal securities laws against an underwriter, obtaining a ruling that the underwriter was not responsible for financial disclosures under existing law.
In addition to her experience defending other complex and class actions through dispositive motion practice, trial and/or appeal, Ms. Strickland has settled all types of complex and class actions. She is versatile and creative in addressing settlement considerations, both legal and business, and in developing settlement structure options unique to the particular case. She also routinely represents companies in compliance counseling, regulatory proceedings and responding to claims by Attorneys General and other enforcement authorities.
Ms. Strickland began her legal career at Stroock in 1977. In addition to being a member of the Firm’s National Executive Committee, she has played a central role in the development of the firm’s Los Angeles office.
Honors and Awards
- Listed as both as a top California litigator and one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark Litigation.
- Named by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of California’s “Top Women Lawyers” eight times, including in 2012.
- Named by the Los Angeles Times as one of “Southern California’s Best Lawyers” for 2012.
- Recognized by leading corporate counsel as a member of the BTI Consulting Group’s “2011 Client Services All-Stars.”
- Ranked by Super Lawyers since 2004, most recently as one of both “The Top LA Women Lawyers” for 2012 and for her outstanding work in Banking Law for 2012.
- Annually recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, since 2010.
Ms. Strickland frequently speaks on the topic of complex litigation. Annually from 1997 through 2011, Ms. Strickland has co-chaired the Consumer Financial Services Institute for the Practising Law Institute. She also regularly speaks at PLI’s Class Action Litigation Institute. Ms. Strickland has also been a Guest Lecturer at UCLA Law School on the topic, “Negotiating and Drafting a Class Action Settlement Agreement.” She also speaks regularly to professional and trade groups, as well as to government bodies, such as the California Department of Consumer Affairs