Glaser Weil Secures Dismissal for County of LA in Orozco Case—Ninth Circuit Affirms in Rare Early Ruling

Glaser Weil successfully represented the County of Los Angeles in a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful detention and constitutional violations, securing dismissal with prejudice at the trial court level—a victory that has now been upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In H. Orozco v. Kathryn Barger et al., the plaintiff sued nine current and former members of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors in their personal capacities. The Firm’s litigation team, led by Partner Andy Baum and Associate Bryan McIntyre, filed a motion to dismiss, which the District Court granted, dismissing the entire complaint with prejudice in July 2024.

On appeal, Of Counsel Beth Chilton identified an opportunity for an unconventional legal strategy. She and McIntyre pursued a strategic motion for summary disposition, arguing that there was no legal error and no basis for the appeal to proceed. The Ninth Circuit agreed—an exceptional outcome—disposing of the appeal in our client’s favor before briefing had even begun. This case was handled on behalf of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.