Wayne R. Gross

Founding Partner

Wayne Gross is a nationally recognized trial lawyer whose career has been defined by leadership in the most demanding and sensitive legal matters. He brings decades of courtroom experience to cases involving sexual assault and abuse, particularly those requiring rigorous investigation, strategic judgment, and the ability to navigate complex institutional and regulatory environments. Mr. Gross has been repeatedly selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, including being named “Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement” in Los Angeles [Lawyer of the Year], and has been recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California [Top 100]. He has also been labeled a “Winning Litigator” by the National Law Journal [Winning Litigator].

Wayne Gross is one of the very best trial lawyers in the entire country.
– Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, UC Berkeley School of Law

Mr. Gross is known for his ability to manage cases where the stakes are exceptionally high and the facts are deeply personal. His trial experience spans both plaintiff and defense representations, giving him a nuanced understanding of how sexual assault cases are evaluated, defended, and ultimately resolved. Three of his jury verdicts have been recognized among the Top Plaintiff and Defense Verdicts of the Year in California, reflecting his command of complex evidentiary records and his effectiveness before juries. [Law360 – How They Won It] [Top Defense Verdict].

As a former federal prosecutor [Profile of Prosecutorial Career], Mr. Gross brings a disciplined, investigative approach to sexual assault and abuse cases, particularly those involving institutions, power imbalances, or parallel civil and regulatory considerations. During his tenure as a supervisory federal prosecutor in Los Angeles and Orange County, he handled cases of national and international significance, with a primary focus on financial and health care fraud. His prosecutorial work earned recognition from two United States Attorneys General and the Director of the FBI, underscoring his commitment to accountability and integrity in the justice system.

Mr. Gross’s background in internal investigations, crisis management, and high-profile litigation informs his work in sexual assault matters that demand discretion, credibility, and careful coordination. He is frequently called upon to handle cases that attract public attention or involve prominent organizations, where both legal precision and human sensitivity are essential.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Gross has been a legal commentator on CNN and PBS, and Inside OC [Compilation of News Appearances]. He has served as a law school adjunct professor at Loyola Law School and currently still serves on the Board of Advisors for UC Irvine School of Law. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable Laughlin E. Waters of the United States District Court, Central District of California, and as president of the Orange County Bar Association, the second largest bar association in the State of California, reflecting the trust and respect he has earned within the legal community.

Representative Matters

Civil Litigation

Obtained defense jury verdict for defendant AmLaw 200 law firm in case seeking $600 million in damages for alleged violations of civil RICO, fraud, and other torts.
Obtained defense jury verdict for defendant global engineering firm, and $8 million judgment on counterclaim, including $2 million in punitive damages.
Obtained jury verdict of $50 million for real estate developer on counterclaim arising from repudiation of joint venture development project in Hollywood, California.
Obtained defense verdict for television station and CEO against a former CEO alleging fraud and breach of contract.
Obtained defense jury verdict for manufacturing company against former partner alleging fraud and breach of contract.
Obtained dismissal of wage and hour class action in preliminary phase of litigation.
Obtained dismissal of consumer class action in preliminary phase of litigation.
Obtained consent decree against City and County of San Francisco to end dangerous and illegal conditions in the Tenderloin neighborhood and provide safe shelter to the unhoused.

Corporate Crisis and White Collar Defense

Defense of former president of public company charged by the Federal Trade Commission with violating the FTC Act.
Defense of principal of debt-settlement advertising company in investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.
Defense of former CEO of failed bank in a lawsuit alleging gross negligence, filed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Defense of former CFO of a public company in a lawsuit alleging securities fraud filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Defense of Fortune 500 company in unfair business practices and false advertising matter.

Criminal Prosecution at U.S. Attorney’s Office

Criminal trademark infringement trial against a defendant who manufactured and sold thousands of cans of counterfeit Similac infant formula to consumers throughout California.
Criminal fraud trial against a defendant doctor who, along with his partners, practiced medicine at UCI and engaged in various schemes, including billing fraud, tax evasion, and misappropriation of human eggs and embryos.
Criminal obscenity trial against a defendant who stalked an international figure skating star.
Criminal fraud trial against two defendants who operated an insurance brokerage firm that fraudulently created and sold more than $15 million in counterfeit construction surety bonds.
Criminal fraud trial against a defendant who engaged in a multimillion-dollar bank fraud scheme.

Media & Broadcast Appearances

Partner Wayne Gross introduces Erwin Chemerenski, Dean of Berkeley Law, at the Orange County Business Journal’s 11th Annual General Counsel Awards.

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YouTube Video UExhX3hteVMxYWxYU3FpZGYzNDJJcjVRWWxSOER1QVl1dS41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

Wayne Gross at the Orange County Business Journal 11th Annual General Counsel Awards

Greenberg Gross LLP April 10, 2022 11:17 pm

Partner Wayne Gross appears in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on behalf of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals in whistle-blowing matter.

YouTube Video UExhX3hteVMxYWxYU3FpZGYzNDJJcjVRWWxSOER1QVl1dS4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

Wayne Gross Appears Before Ninth Circuit on behalf of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals