Featured Practices
Gopi K. Panchapakesan’s practice focuses on the trial and arbitration of high-stakes business disputes. He is an expert in defending class actions, as well as cases brought under the civil RICO statute and False Claims Act. Gopi’s broad-based civil practice extends to cases involving commercial fraud, false advertising, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and complex contractual disputes.
Gopi also maintains an active white collar practice, which focuses on environmental investigations and enforcement.
Named to the Daily Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list, Gopi has successfully tried numerous jury trials and arbitrations. He has successfully defended some of the most significant recent civil RICO litigation in California, cases that collectively alleged upwards of $1 billion in damages. He also regularly defends multi-national corporations in sprawling consumer class actions involving claims of unfair competition and false advertising. Gopi has also defended False Claims Act cases on behalf of government contractors and healthcare providers. Gopi has the expertise to efficiently litigate these matters at each juncture of a case and understands the pressure points that push a case to conclusion.
Companies, both publicly-traded and privately-held, and leading executives entrust Gopi to litigate their complex business disputes. His representative clients include: Carvana, Crimson Pipeline, Digital Realty Trust, Herbalife, Shopify, and Tyler Technologies.
Gopi regularly speaks on panels and publishes articles regarding class actions, the federal civil RICO statute, and trends in arbitration practice, most recently publishing the widely read article, “3 Ways Defendants Can Nip Civil RICO Claims in the Bud,” in Law360.
Gopi has served in numerous leadership roles with organizations that help foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession. He currently serves as VP of Professional Development for the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America. Gopi previously served as the Co-President of the Southern California chapter of SABA. In 2022, he received SABA North America’s Rising Star Award. He has served as a fellow with SABA North America’s Leadership Institute and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Leadership Advancement Program. Gopi has also served on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League.
Education & Admissions
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 2011
- Northwestern University, B.A., 2006
- California, 2011
Awards & Recognition
- Top 40 Under 40, Daily Journal, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers®, 2024
- Lawdragon 500 X - The Next Generation, 2023
- Rising Star, South Asian Bar Association of North America, 2022
- Fellow, South Asian Bar Association Leadership Institute, 2022
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), 2022
- Co-President, South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, 2020-2021
- Fellow, Leadership Advancement Program, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2019
- Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2018-present
Notable Matters
Class Actions
After moving for summary judgment, successfully resolved federal civil RICO and unfair business practices class action for publicly-traded nutritional product company.
Represented online social gaming company in federal class action brought under Washington’s Recovery of Money Lost at Gambling Act (RMLGA).
Obtained final approval of a class action settlement on behalf of a publicly-traded nutritional product company, defeating objections made by several class members and obtaining regulatory approval.
Successfully resolved series of class actions on behalf of several skilled nursing accused of understaffing in violation of state and federal regulations.
Defeated class certification on behalf of large retail bookseller in a wage and hour class action.
Complex Litigation
After moving for summary judgment, successfully resolved California False Claims Act case involving website accessibility for publicly-traded government contractor.
Represented Taiwanese conglomerate and other lead defendants in a 34-defendant civil RICO and alter ego action. Plaintiff sought over $80 million in trebled RICO damages. After winning critical motions on the eve of trial, the case was successfully resolved for a nominal amount.
Representing apparel company in its pursuit of over $60 million in contractual and fraudulent transfer claims against a major clothing brand.
Represented Labor Commissioner of the State of California, successfully defeating motions to compel arbitration, thereby preserving the Commissioner’s jurisdiction to hear certain disputes.
Represented payment processor in connection with terminated joint development agreement, successfully resolving case for a confidential amount.
Arbitrations
Defending major cannabis company in confidential arbitration with former executive concerning claims of wrongful termination and disputed stock options grant.
Trial counsel for publicly-traded company in arbitration hearing regarding multi-million dollar accounting malpractice case.
Trial counsel for former executive in a profit participation dispute concerning real estate development.
First-chaired arbitration involving complex breach of contract claims asserted against apparel company client, securing a seven-figure offset against claimed damages.
Represented global biomedical company in international arbitration concerning joint development agreement terminated by the counterparty; case was successfully resolved in client’s favor for a confidential amount.
White Collar Defense & Investigations
Tried federal money laundering case on behalf of former media conglomerate CFO. Case involved issues pertaining to the Communications Decency Act, third-party content posted to websites, and cryptocurrency as a payment method in a challenged industry.
Resolved action brought against a big-box retailer by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, in which the government alleged the retailer sold products in violation of air quality standards.
Represented major pipeline and renewable energy company in various matters involving state and local government authorities, successfully securing pre-litigation resolutions.
Successfully avoided charges against former employee of major consulting and engineering company in connection with remediation of hazardous waste.
Pro Bono
Successfully represented several families living in dilapidated housing on skid row in Los Angeles and procured a $750,000 settlement on behalf of the tenants in a partnership with the Inner City Law Center.
News & Insights
Gopi K. Panchapakesan Honored with Daily Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 Award
Principal Gopi K. Panchapakesan has been named to the Daily Journal‘s Top 40 Under 40 for 2023. Mr. Panchapakesan’s practice focuses on the litigation and arbitration of complex …
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Go to the postRecord Number of Bird Marella Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Bird Marella is proud to announce the inclusion of 26 lawyers in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® by U.S. …
Friday, August 18, 2023
Go to the postThree Bird Marella Principals Named to Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation
Principals Nicole Rodriguez Van Dyk, Gopi Panchapakesan, and Julia Cherlow have been named to the inaugural list of the 2023 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation. The …
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Go to the postGopi K. Panchapakesan Selected to Law360’s 2023 California Editorial Advisory Board
Law360 has selected principal Gopi K. Panchapakesan to join its 2023 California Editorial Advisory Board. The Board is comprised of eleven leading California attorneys and a U.S. Magistrate …
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Go to the postGopi Panchapakesan Selected as Co-Chair of the South Asian Bar Association of North America’s Law Partners Section
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA-NA) has selected principal Gopi Panchapakesan to serve as Co-Chair of its Law Partners Section. Gopi previously served as co-president …
Monday, August 29, 2022
Go to the postGopi Panchapakesan Recognized as Rising Star by South Asian Bar Association of North America
This past weekend, Principal Gopi K. Panchapakesan was honored at the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America’s annual conference in San Francisco. Mr. Panchapakesan was one of five recipients …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Go to the postPublications
- Co-Author, "Dueling Experts: What Olean Might Mean for the Future of Class Certification in the Ninth Circuit," California Litigation, Vol. 35, Issue 3, January 2023
- Author, “3 Ways Defendants Can Nip Civil RICO Claims In The Bud,” Law360, December 2020
- Co-Author, “The Changing Scope of Arbitrability and Appealability,” National Law Journal, August 2019
- Co-Author, “The Far-Reaching New Domestic Injury Rule Under Civil RICO,” Law360, June 2017
Associations
- California Editorial Advisory Board Member, Law360, 2023
- Vice President of Professional Development, South Asian Bar Association of North America, 2023-2024
- Co-Chair, South Asian Bar Association of North America, Law Partners Section, 2023
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), 2022
- Fellow, South Asian Bar Association Leadership Institute, 2022
- Fellow, Leadership Advancement Program, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2019
- Co-President, South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, 2020-2021
- Member, Board of Directors, Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, 2016 – 2019