Fact Sheet
How does Farella Braun + Martel differ from other firms?
Farella Braun + Martel is known for its integrated approach to obtaining the best possible results for clients. Combining technical legal acumen with broad training and experience, the firm's attorneys look at each matter with a practiced perspective. Using the multiple skill sets found within the firm's attorneys, cross-disciplinary teams are often assembled to address client issues. This emphasis has enabled the firm to retain a prestigious and diverse client list, from multinational corporations to privately-owned concerns.
What kind of law does the firm practice?
The firm is known for its litigation skills and has a national reputation as one of the nation's leading trial firms. Its litigation attorneys have handled complex commercial cases in a wide variety of fields - from class actions, securities, commodities and antitrust to intellectual property and technology cases, corporate merger disputes and franchise claims to professional liability, unfair competition and telecommunication claims. In addition to its focus on complex business litigation, the firm is highly regarded for its appellate, environmental, employment, construction, insurance coverage, intellectual property and white collar criminal work.
Six of the firm's litigation partners have been selected as Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers; two are Fellows of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Many of the firm's partners regularly teach trial advocacy skills at law schools and trial practice institutions throughout the country. Two litigation partners are Fellows of the American College of Construction Lawyers.
The firm's business attorneys serve a broad base of clients involving corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate, LLC and partnership formation, corporate transactions and advice, counseling and governance, private placements, venture capital, real estate and land use, business financings and loan agreements, agribusiness, technology, tax and family wealth. The business department represents a diverse selection of clients, with particular expertise in real estate and land use, securities, mergers and acquisitions, hospitality and the wine industry.
Does the firm have locations other than San Francisco?
In 1995, the firm opened an office in St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country to serve its substantial wine, agribusiness and hospitality clients. With its long history in the winery and viticulture business and representation of nearly all of the nation's publicly traded wineries, Farella Braun + Martel is considered the premier law firm in California for wine industry work. Two of the firm's attorneys own and operate their own wineries and vineyards. The firm represents over 100 wineries (including many that are internationally based), grape growers, distributors, domestic and international investors and other related businesses. The firm handled the initial public offering of the Robert Mondavi Winery in 1993. Other large transactions include advising Franciscan Vineyards in the sale of its business and advising Constellation Brands in its acquisition of Ravenswood Vineyards.
In addition to the wine industry, are there other industries in which the firm has a presence?
The firm is also known for its work in the hospitality industry. For over 30 years, Farella Braun + Martel has represented some of the industry's most exciting hotel visionaries and restaurateurs. From boutique hotels and entrepreneurial hoteliers, coveted restaurants and their star chefs, we understand the nature of the industry - customer-focused business, investment vehicle and cyclical real estate venture. Many of the firm's clients are international in scope.
The firm also has an emphasis in the biotechnology, power and energy, and telecommunications industries.
How large is the firm?
The firm is now comprised of 120 attorneys.
Roughly two-thirds are litigators and one-third are business lawyers.
Tell me a little about the firm's history.
Farella Braun + Martel was founded in 1962 by Frank Farella, Jerome Braun and Thomas Elke, with offices in San Francisco and Fresno, CA. Initial clients included American Push Broom, Jumbo Orange Drive-In, Home Insurance Company, Transamerica and Tyger Oil. The firm's first offices were located at 333 Pine Street in San Francisco and at 1330 L Street in Fresno. Two years later, John Martel joined the firm. His first desk was an orange crate in a small room at 333 Pine. In the late 1960's, Elke entered the San Francisco Theological Seminary and shortly thereafter withdrew from the firm. He remains friends with the three other partners to this day.
In 1970, the firm moved to the Russ Building in San Francisco at 235 Montgomery Street - the "Wall Street of the West" - where it remains today. The firm has recently completed a major renovation of its space and now occupies 15 floors in the Russ Building's center tower.
Who are Farella Braun + Martel?
Frank Farella remains the senior corporate attorney in the firm. He has long represented some of the Bay Area's most well-known entrepreneurs including Robert Mondavi and others in the wine and hospitality industry. Frank has served as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and a number of other professional and civic organizations. He is the founder and owner of Farella-Park Vineyards in the Napa Valley.
Jerry Braun, "lawyer's lawyer," mentor and philanthropist, is known for his trial and appellate work. A Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Jerry is the author of numerous articles in professional and scholarly publications. Known for his community and pro bono work, Jerry received the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award as a "senior lawyer practicing in the Ninth Circuit whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law."
A veteran of over 100 trials, John Martel's trial preparation and strategies have resulted in only four defeats. Among his cases are the highest verdict in the history of the state of Virginia to an antitrust plaintiff, and the defense of the Hearst Corporation in a three-month landmark antitrust battle. The best-selling author of four legal thrillers, John was also asked by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to serve as a consultant in the O.J. Simpson case and the second Menendez Brothers trial. During an early sabbatical, John founded and played in the country rock band, Joe Silverhound. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as both its California State Chairman and as a Member of its Board of Regents.