Los Angeles Housing Outreach v. Medoff (B341160) (2025)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division Four

Bruce successfully represented a landlord who evicted an unapproved subtenant. The landlord had purchased a rent-controlled apartment building in Los Angeles. In one apartment, the tenants had moved out in 2021 but continued paying rent without informing the landlord, while a subtenant occupied the apartment under a sublease agreement that required her to vacate when tenants no longer lived there. Once the landlord discovered this deception, it sued for breach of lease, ejectment, and fraud. After a bench trial, the court ruled in favor of the landlord, finding that tenants had vacated the premises, which terminated the lease. On appeal, the subtenant argued that the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LARSO) precluded her eviction. The court rejected her arguments on both procedural and substantive grounds.

Case Note

The Court of Appeal also awarded sanctions against the subtenant's lawyer for filing a brief with false descriptions of cases that was generated by AI and not checking these citations. This sanctions order is discussed here.

Sullivan v. Sherlock (B227274) (2012)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division Seven

Bruce represented the sellers in a real estate fraud appeal. The buyer alleged that the sellers had misrepresented and concealed defects and permit issues during the sale. The jury returned a unanimous defense verdict on all claims, and the buyer appealed. The Court of Appeal affirmed and rejected numerous claims by the buyer, holding that the standard CACI instructions adequately covered the sellers’ disclosure duties and that any evidentiary errors were harmless.

Urban Eco Housing, LLC v. Tong (B202340) (2009)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division Seven

Bruce represented the respondent in a dispute over a failed sale of a distressed property. The trial court granted a nonsuit in favor of Bruce’s client; on appeal the Court of Appeal affirmed, rejecting the buyer’s arguments regarding the sale and escrow delays caused by a lis pendens and related issues.

Meshekow v. Ronn-Weir (B175841, c/w B179026) (2007)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division One

Bruce represented a homeowner in a dispute with her neighbor arising from a settlement agreement. The trial court had granted specific performance and injunctive relief to the neighbor; on appeal Bruce successfully argued that the judgment was legally flawed and the Court of Appeal reversed portions of the judgment and the attorney’s fee award.

Shekhter v. Seneca Structural Design, Inc. (B158174) (2004)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division Eight

Bruce represented the owners of an apartment complex damaged in an earthquake in a construction-defect dispute. The trial court sustained demurrers to several causes of action; on appeal Bruce secured reversal and reinstatement of key claims, with the Court of Appeal reaching the merits of claims treated as writ petitions.

Kanavos v. Wilson (B135168) (2001)

California Court of Appeal

Second Appellate District, Division Two

Bruce represented the plaintiffs in a quiet title action. The defendant claimed ownership of a five-foot side strip of land by prescriptive easement and adverse possession. The trial court found for Bruce’s client, and the Court of Appeal affirmed, rejecting the defendant’s evidence and arguments and upholding the established boundary.