Northern California legal powerhouse Farella Braun + Martel secured a complete defense victory at trial on behalf of developer Discovery Builders, Inc. and co-defendants in a lawsuit by the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office in response to the discovery of Native American remains during construction of the Newport Estates residential housing development in the City of West Sacramento.

On December 22, 2022, after over four years of litigation and a 20-day remote bench trial, Farella’s clients prevailed on all counts, confirming that they were unaware of the cemetery and that they responded appropriately and in compliance with applicable requirements. The lawsuit sought statewide injunctive relief and millions in civil penalties.

The Farella trial team was led by partners James Colopy and Elizabeth Dorsi with assistance from associate Daniel Contreras and paralegals Alva Coleman and Colin Day.

Read Discovery Builders’ press release here.

The case is People v. Seecon Financial & Construction Co., Inc., et al. in Yolo County Superior Court for the State of California.

Farella Braun + Martel is a leading Northern California law firm representing corporate and private clients in sophisticated business transactions and complex commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Clients seek our imaginative legal solutions and the dynamism and intellectual creativity of our lawyers. We are headquartered in San Francisco and maintain an office in the Napa Valley that is focused on the wine industry.

Contact:
Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
415.954.4433 / [email protected]