Suzanne Jones is an experienced civil litigator whose practice concentrates on complex commercial disputes, including class actions, before state and federal courts throughout the United States. The recent focus of Suzanne's practice has been on False Claims Act litigation, government investigations, and other types of litigation involving the health care industry. Suzanne also has experience litigating a broad range of matters, including unfair competition and consumer claims, intellectual property claims (trade secret and Lanham Act), partnership disputes, securities and corporate governance actions, employment claims, fraud actions, product liability litigation and general business litigation. Suzanne has represented clients in many different industries, including health care, food and beverage, telecommunications, automobile, consumer credit, real estate development, overseas transportation, food supplements and pharmaceuticals, heavy equipment, and financial industries.
Prior to joining Theodora Oringher Miller & Richman PC, Suzanne was a partner with the law firm of Jones Day in Los Angeles.
Representative Matters
- Jointly represented large hospital and limited liability company (in which hospital was majority stakeholder) in partnership dispute, breach of contract and fraud action involving hospital developer and construction of new hospital and medical office building
- Defended California hospital system in U.S.D.C. Central District of California False Claims Act litigation involving claims of Medicare fraud; obtained dismissal of all claims
- Represented large healthcare provider in connection with confidential government investigation concerning outlier reimbursement
- Successfully represented large hospital system in defense and resolution of government investigation related to two sealed False Claims Act Qui Tam actions alleging Medicare fraud; each Qui Tam action was dismissed by both the government and the relator
- Represented health insurance company in appeal related to licensing dispute and alleged trade disparagement
- Represented individual and corporate defendants in Los Angeles Superior Court real estate partnership action for in excess of $1 billion in damages and other relief. Summary judgment for defendants on all claims granted.
- Represented large corporation and several of its inside directors in 20 putative class action suits brought by shareholders in connection with CEO and Director's proposal to purchase all outstanding shares of stock and take the company private. Following discovery, parties reached an agreement to settle all cases and dismiss all claims.
- Successfully defended international fruit company against suit brought by competitor alleging theft of competitor's claimed intellectual property interest in a hybrid pineapple. Competitor alleged trade secret, Lanham Act and conversion claims. Case settled shortly after summary judgment briefing was completed.
- Obtained summary judgment for international beverage company in an action involving claimed damages in excess of $175 million arising from failed investments in a South African bottling company. Plaintiffs claimed fraud, negligent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Successful defense of telecommunications company against claims of libel, breach of contract and negligent and intentional business tort claims. Obtained dismissal of all claims, as well as full award on cross-complaint and sanctions imposed on plaintiffs.
- Part of the team that defeated an attempt to enforce an alleged foreign judgment for $489 million against California-based international company that was based on fraudulent documents
- Successfully defended large credit reporting agency in several putative class actions alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Successful defense of putative class action alleging intentional age discrimination brought against large company in aerospace and defense industry
- Defended major Asian power utility against claims of fraud and breach of contract brought in California state court. Case was dismissed after briefing was completed on motions to dismiss (forum non conveniens and failure to state a claim).
Professional Qualifications and Memberships
Suzanne is admitted to practice in California as well as before all federal district courts in California and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Suzanne was recognized by her peers and Law & Politics as a 2010 and 2009 Southern California Super Lawyer (general litigation). She is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (Litigation and Healthcare Law Sections), the American Health Lawyers Association, the California Society for Healthcare Attorneys, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Suzanne has received awards from Alliance for Children's Rights and Chadbourne & Parke LLP for her pro bono work, and served as counsel to Governor Gray Davis' Advisory Panel for new and strengthened laws addressing hate groups.
Education
Suzanne received her AB in History from University of Southern California, and a Certificate in Russian Studies from the Pushkin Institute in Moscow, U.S.S.R. She received her JD from Loyola Law School, where she was an editor of the International and Comparative Law Journal.