Eugene Chiarelli

Eugene J. Chiarelli is a litigation attorney specializing in the area of real estate, business and commercial litigation and class actions matters. The representation has been primarily for mid-size companies and large corporations. During his practice of 41 years, Mr. Chiarelli has represented title insurance companies, national banks and real estate developers in matters relating to real estate and class actions. In the real estate arena, he has had extensive experience in construction, mechanic’s liens, stop notice, contract disputes, unfair competition, title defects, title insurance, escrow claims and secured real property transactions. In addition, he has represented a number of companies in array of business issues which have included contract disputes, business torts, fraud, partnership dissolutions and securities and corporate matters. Mr. Chiarelli is committed to providing solutions specific to the client’s needs.

Mr. Chiarelli has litigated matters in every major city or jurisdiction in the State of California both in state and federal court. He has also been lead counsel in matters pending in New York City, Cincinnati, Dallas and Phoenix. Mr. Chiarelli has extensive experience at the trial court level, appellate level and with alternative dispute resolution. He has tried over 80 jury and non-jury cases and has been counsel on a number of published appellate decisions. He has also successfully settled matters that had exposure of $50 million to $350 million including two class action matters which alleged that Mr. Chiarelli’s clients engaged in the illegal sale of stock in oversea markets and participated in a price gouging scheme for insurance products. In both matters, Mr. Chiarelli was successful in reaching settlements that did not require his client to make a contribution or was required to make a contribution of less than .01%.

ejc@chiarellilaw.com
925-262-4891

In addition to his successful career as a litigation attorney, Mr. Chiarelli has been involved in management both in a corporate setting and private practice. Mr. Chiarelli started his legal career with the St. Paul Title Insurance Corporation (1979-1982). He held the position of Vice President and Regional Counsel. His responsibilities included the supervision of a legal staff that would oversee underwriting, claims and general corporate matters in Northern California. He joined the law firm of Tobin & Tobin in 1982 and became the firms managing partner in 1987 and remained in this role until his departure in 1995. During his tenure as managing partner, Mr. Chiarelli developed the law practice described above and was instrumental for the growth of the firm. The firm grew four fold and opened offices located in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles and Walnut Creek.

In 1995, Mr. Chiarelli was approached by the national law firm of Arter & Hadden and was asked to open a new office in San Francisco as its managing partner. The office opened its doors with eight attorneys and grew to thirty attorneys by the time he left the firm. Currently, Mr. Chiarelli manages his own practice in Walnut Creek, California and continues to represent his clients with the same level of efficiency, expertise and attention to economical results.

In addition to managing his litigation practice, Mr. Chiarelli has provided services as a consultant or expert witness in the areas of contract disputes, title defects, title insurance, escrow claims and secured real property transactions. He had testified in the Superior Courts for the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Clara.

Filed Brief as Amici Curiae on behalf of Defendants and Respondents at the request of the American Land Title Association in Lick Mill Creek Apartments, et al. v. Chicago Title Insurance Company, et. al., (1991) 231 Cal App. 3d 1654.
Filed Brief as Amici Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Respondent at the request of the California Land Title Association in Lambert v. Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company (1991) 53 Cal. App. 3d 1072.
Successfully handled litigation and claim alleging a complete failure of title with damages alleged to be in the amount of $150 million.
Successfully represented investment counselors and lenders in a real estate fraud case involving $250 million in loan funds.
Represented an insurance company in a class action matter where the client along with other companies were accused of participating in a price gouging scheme in the amount of $350 million.
Successfully represented a client in a class action matter where the client was accused of conspiracy to sell stock of a U.S. company illegally in overseas markets.
Represented a family trust holding $60 million in real estate.
Successfully represented a national bank in a Business & Professions Code Section 17200 case alleging unlawful activity relating to “earned credits” for demand accounts.

Co-author, “Title Company,” California Mechanics’ Liens, published by the California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1988.
Member, American Land Title Association
Member, California Land Title Association
Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Personal Property Law
Member, Public Health and Safety Commission for the City of San Ramon
Participant, Student Foundation for Continuing Art and member of the Board of Trustee for Big Brothers and Big Sisters

American Bar Association
Super Lawyers 2014-2020
Association of Business Trial Lawyers

U.S. Supreme Court
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern California
U.S. District Court of Arizona