Gabriel Niforatos
Gabe provides counsel on product regulatory compliance and is focused on defending companies in complex product liability and mass tort litigation.
View the full bio for Gabriel Niforatos at the Faegre Drinker website.
Articles by Gabriel Niforatos:
California appellate courts have recently provided much needed clarity for defendants wishing to preserve the ability to attribute fault to a potentially culpable co-defendant seeking summary judgment. We previously addressed this issue in a 2021 blog post, highlighting the uncertainty facing defense counsel where granting summary judgment to a co-defendant would preclude an empty chair defense. Two published 2025 decisions now confirm that defendants can oppose a co-defendant’s summary judgment motion directly with no cross-complaint required.
This is a rare and tricky situation. Defendants in multiparty litigation often share interests. Opposing a co-defendant’s motion can inflate costs, strain relationships, and ultimately benefit plaintiffs. But sometimes preserving the ability to attribute fault to a co-defendant is necessary to protect your client.
Continue reading “Solving the Culpable Co-Defendant Problem: An Update on Preserving Your Client’s Defenses after a Culpable Co-Defendant Files a Motion for Summary Judgment in California State Court”
Those who litigate in California state courts, take note: Changes are coming to the state’s summary judgment statute for the first time in 20 years. Assembly Bill 2049 (AB 2049), signed into law this summer, introduces logistical changes and clarifications to the summary judgment process that attorneys should be aware of before the law takes effect on January 1, 2025.
First, AB 2049 will change the notice period — and thus the timing — of summary judgment and summary adjudication motions. Code of Civil Procedure section 437c prescribes the timeline for summary judgment and summary adjudication motions. Under the longstanding statute: notice of a summary judgment or summary adjudication motion and supporting papers needed to be served at least 75 days before the hearing, oppositions were due at least 14 days before the hearing, and replies at least five days before the hearing.
Continue reading “A Change Is Gonna Come — Amendments to California Summary Judgment and Summary Adjudication Procedures Take Effect January 1, 2025”
