Mona Z. Hanna

Office Managing Partner

Irvine

+1 714-557-7990

[email protected]

Mona Z. Hanna

Office Managing Partner

Overview

Associated Industries

Associated Practice Areas

Representative Matters

Credentials

Recognition

Insights & News

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Mona Hanna is the litigator stakeholders call when the future of a business is on the line. With a national reputation for defeating class actions and resolving complex, high-exposure disputes, she combines courtroom strength with strategic vision and a relentless focus on results that exceed expectations.

A recognized leader in complex litigation, Mona represents clients across the insurance, advertising, digital media, and financial services industries, among others. She is known for turning back class certification, securing early dismissals, and prevailing in disputes of first impression. Whether taking a matter to trial or resolving it behind closed doors, Mona’s approach is clear-headed, decisive, and ultimately outcome-driven.

The firm’s National Complex & Class Action Trial Chair, Mona’s work spans unfair competition, trade secrets, labor violations, and professional negligence. Clients rely on her to navigate “bet-the-company” cases where reputational, financial, and operational risks intersect. Mona’s ability to cut through legal complexity and deliver wins has earned her a reputation as one of the most effective trial lawyers in the country.

In addition to her litigation practice, Mona plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s direction and culture. She sits on the firm’s Executive Committee and founded WAMR, a committee dedicated to championing the advancement of the firm’s female lawyers.

Mona Z. Hanna

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Associated Industries

Advertising & Digital Media

Financial Services

Insurance

Life Sciences

Mining

Real Estate

Associated Practice Areas

Class Action & Complex Litigation

Representative Matters

Represented the sellers of a financial-services business in post-acquisition litigation against a national financial institution arising from a $15.2 million trading loss that occurred following closing. After the buyer withheld merger consideration under subordinated notes based on alleged pre-closing deficiencies in the company’s risk-management systems, successfully tried the matter before the Delaware Court of Chancery. The Court rejected all indemnification claims, found the losses resulted from the buyer’s own operational decisions, ordered payment of the withheld consideration, and awarded attorneys’ fees against the opposing party for discovery misconduct and improper confidentiality assertions.
Achieved a landmark victory for affiliated insurance carriers in a long-running consumer class action challenging auto-insurance premium practices under California’s “Lowest Rates Rule.” Following more than a decade of litigation, regulatory proceedings, and discovery—and just days before pretrial filings and class notice to more than one million insureds were due—the Northern District of California granted judgment on the pleadings dismissing the certified restitution class claims in their entirety without leave to amend. The ruling eliminated alleged exposure exceeding $440 million and left only a nominal individual claim valued at less than $500.
Represented Shiftsmart, a leading workforce-management platform, in a high-stakes contract dispute arising from the withholding of approximately $8 million under a workforce-services agreement. Following a multi-week jury trial in Dallas, Texas, successfully demonstrated that the opposing party continued to rely on Shiftsmart’s services despite alleging breaches involving indemnification and insurance obligations. The jury awarded Shiftsmart approximately $14 million in compensatory damages and interest, while awarding the opposing party approximately $1 million on limited indemnification and insurance-related counterclaims, resulting in a substantial net recovery for the client.
Obtained an eight-figure federal jury verdict following a seven-day trial on behalf of a global private aviation company in claims against its former Assistant Director of Operations for breach of contract and breach of the duty of loyalty, and against affiliated entities for intentional interference with contractual relations arising from the theft of the company’s customers.
Successfully represented a publicly held digital-rights enforcement company in a widely publicized nationwide putative class action alleging violations of the TCPA, FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, and abuse of process arising from alleged misuse of the DMCA subpoena process. After demonstrating the weakness of the named plaintiffs’ claims, class counsel voluntarily dismissed the federal and state fair-debt claims. Thereafter, successfully brought an anti-SLAPP motion striking the remaining abuse-of-process claim in its entirety, resulting in an award of attorneys’ fees in the client’s favor.
Successfully defended a former Executive Vice President of a title insurance company against claims for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets arising from his departure to a competing firm after promised ownership interests failed to materialize. Plaintiffs sought approximately $14 million in lost profits and alleged more than $250 million in lost enterprise value. Following a seven-week trial, the jury rejected plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety and awarded the client $50,000 on his breach-of-contract counterclaim.
Successfully defended a national insurance brokerage in a class action alleging unlawful recording of customer telephone calls without proper disclosures under California law. Plaintiffs sought potentially billions of dollars in statutory damages based on approximately 600,000 alleged calls. Developed a defense grounded in the legislative intent underlying the statute—namely, protection against industrial espionage—which resulted in dismissal of the action in its entirety.
Represented a prominent insurance brokerage facing a $42 million judgment for alleged violations of California wage-and-hour laws. Developed a defense demonstrating that conflicts between federal and state law required substantial reduction of the judgment. The federal court reduced the judgment to $1.2 million, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed on appeal.
Successfully defended a company’s CEO, executives, and board members in shareholder litigation alleging approximately $140 million in damages arising from claims that shareholders had been misled into selling shares before a higher-value corporate transaction. After assuming the defense on the eve of a proposed $40 million settlement, redesigned the litigation strategy and obtained dismissal of the entire action on the eve of trial following two years of litigation.
Obtained a seven-figure recovery on behalf of a medical-scrubs manufacturer in a significant trademark-infringement action against a competing apparel company. Following repeated discovery abuses by defendants, secured sanctions exceeding $250,000, terminating sanctions, and default judgment. Thereafter successfully defended multiple appeals and bankruptcy proceedings, ultimately securing compensation for the client through a structured settlement.
Successfully represented the owner of a small insurance brokerage in litigation brought by two former employees alleging wrongful termination. After determining the former employees were improperly soliciting brokerage customers using confidential client information, filed a cross-complaint for trade-secret misappropriation. Secured summary judgment against plaintiffs’ claims and thereafter obtained a unanimous jury verdict awarding $500,000 in compensatory damages on the cross-claims.
Represented a metal supply company in a putative wage-and-hour class action brought by a former employee. Filed a successful petition to compel arbitration, demonstrating that any arbitration would proceed on an individual—not classwide—basis, which resulted in a highly favorable settlement covering approximately 265 current and former employees for pennies on the dollar.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions

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

Professional Affiliations

Orange County Bar Association (Board of Directors, Finance Committee Member, Business Litigation Section Chair, Labor & Employment Section)
California Bar Association
Los Angeles Bar Association

Community Involvement

Working Wardrobes (Smart Women’s Circle)
Women’s Association of Villa Park

Education

University of California, Hastings College of Law, J.D.
California State University of Los Angeles, B.S.

Recognition

Women in Law Honoree, Orange County Business Journal (2022, 2023, 2024)
Power of Women Honoree, Orange Coast (2024)
Top Woman Lawyer, Daily Journal (2021)
Top 50 Women Lawyers In Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine (2021)
Orange County Lawyer of the Year (Litigation and Insurance), Best Lawyers (2021)
Identified by the Esteemed Directory, M&R’s Commercial Litigation practice was “Recommended” by The Legal 500 in 2019
Woman to Watch, Business Insurance (2018)
Insurance Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” for Orange County, Best Lawyers (2017 and 2021)
America USA Guide, Best Lawyers (2015-2023)
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006-2025)
Inducted into the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society and the Litigation Counsel of America
Nominated thrice for the “Top Women in Business” award, Orange County Business Journal
Five-Year Membership Award, National Association of Woman Business Owners
Top Verdicts, Daily Journal (2014)

Insights & News

Headlines / August 15, 2024

Mona Z. Hanna

Office Managing Partner

Irvine

+1 714-557-7990

[email protected]

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Overview

Practice Area

Advertising & Digital Media

Financial Services

Insurance

Class Action & Complex Litigation

Representative Matters

Represented the sellers of a financial-services business in post-acquisition litigation against a national financial institution arising from a $15.2 million trading loss that occurred following closing. After the buyer withheld merger consideration under subordinated notes based on alleged pre-closing deficiencies in the company’s risk-management systems, successfully tried the matter before the Delaware Court of Chancery. The Court rejected all indemnification claims, found the losses resulted from the buyer’s own operational decisions, ordered payment of the withheld consideration, and awarded attorneys’ fees against the opposing party for discovery misconduct and improper confidentiality assertions.
Achieved a landmark victory for affiliated insurance carriers in a long-running consumer class action challenging auto-insurance premium practices under California’s “Lowest Rates Rule.” Following more than a decade of litigation, regulatory proceedings, and discovery—and just days before pretrial filings and class notice to more than one million insureds were due—the Northern District of California granted judgment on the pleadings dismissing the certified restitution class claims in their entirety without leave to amend. The ruling eliminated alleged exposure exceeding $440 million and left only a nominal individual claim valued at less than $500.
Represented Shiftsmart, a leading workforce-management platform, in a high-stakes contract dispute arising from the withholding of approximately $8 million under a workforce-services agreement. Following a multi-week jury trial in Dallas, Texas, successfully demonstrated that the opposing party continued to rely on Shiftsmart’s services despite alleging breaches involving indemnification and insurance obligations. The jury awarded Shiftsmart approximately $14 million in compensatory damages and interest, while awarding the opposing party approximately $1 million on limited indemnification and insurance-related counterclaims, resulting in a substantial net recovery for the client.
Obtained an eight-figure federal jury verdict following a seven-day trial on behalf of a global private aviation company in claims against its former Assistant Director of Operations for breach of contract and breach of the duty of loyalty, and against affiliated entities for intentional interference with contractual relations arising from the theft of the company’s customers.
Successfully represented a publicly held digital-rights enforcement company in a widely publicized nationwide putative class action alleging violations of the TCPA, FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, and abuse of process arising from alleged misuse of the DMCA subpoena process. After demonstrating the weakness of the named plaintiffs’ claims, class counsel voluntarily dismissed the federal and state fair-debt claims. Thereafter, successfully brought an anti-SLAPP motion striking the remaining abuse-of-process claim in its entirety, resulting in an award of attorneys’ fees in the client’s favor.
Successfully defended a former Executive Vice President of a title insurance company against claims for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets arising from his departure to a competing firm after promised ownership interests failed to materialize. Plaintiffs sought approximately $14 million in lost profits and alleged more than $250 million in lost enterprise value. Following a seven-week trial, the jury rejected plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety and awarded the client $50,000 on his breach-of-contract counterclaim.
Successfully defended a national insurance brokerage in a class action alleging unlawful recording of customer telephone calls without proper disclosures under California law. Plaintiffs sought potentially billions of dollars in statutory damages based on approximately 600,000 alleged calls. Developed a defense grounded in the legislative intent underlying the statute—namely, protection against industrial espionage—which resulted in dismissal of the action in its entirety.
Represented a prominent insurance brokerage facing a $42 million judgment for alleged violations of California wage-and-hour laws. Developed a defense demonstrating that conflicts between federal and state law required substantial reduction of the judgment. The federal court reduced the judgment to $1.2 million, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed on appeal.
Successfully defended a company’s CEO, executives, and board members in shareholder litigation alleging approximately $140 million in damages arising from claims that shareholders had been misled into selling shares before a higher-value corporate transaction. After assuming the defense on the eve of a proposed $40 million settlement, redesigned the litigation strategy and obtained dismissal of the entire action on the eve of trial following two years of litigation.
Obtained a seven-figure recovery on behalf of a medical-scrubs manufacturer in a significant trademark-infringement action against a competing apparel company. Following repeated discovery abuses by defendants, secured sanctions exceeding $250,000, terminating sanctions, and default judgment. Thereafter successfully defended multiple appeals and bankruptcy proceedings, ultimately securing compensation for the client through a structured settlement.
Successfully represented the owner of a small insurance brokerage in litigation brought by two former employees alleging wrongful termination. After determining the former employees were improperly soliciting brokerage customers using confidential client information, filed a cross-complaint for trade-secret misappropriation. Secured summary judgment against plaintiffs’ claims and thereafter obtained a unanimous jury verdict awarding $500,000 in compensatory damages on the cross-claims.
Represented a metal supply company in a putative wage-and-hour class action brought by a former employee. Filed a successful petition to compel arbitration, demonstrating that any arbitration would proceed on an individual—not classwide—basis, which resulted in a highly favorable settlement covering approximately 265 current and former employees for pennies on the dollar.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions

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

Professional Affiliations

Orange County Bar Association (Board of Directors, Finance Committee Member, Business Litigation Section Chair, Labor & Employment Section)
California Bar Association
Los Angeles Bar Association

Community Involvement

Working Wardrobes (Smart Women’s Circle)
Women’s Association of Villa Park

Education

University of California, Hastings College of Law, J.D.
California State University of Los Angeles, B.S.

Recognition

Women in Law Honoree, Orange County Business Journal (2022, 2023, 2024)
Power of Women Honoree, Orange Coast (2024)
Top Woman Lawyer, Daily Journal (2021)
Top 50 Women Lawyers In Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine (2021)
Orange County Lawyer of the Year (Litigation and Insurance), Best Lawyers (2021)
Identified by the Esteemed Directory, M&R’s Commercial Litigation practice was “Recommended” by The Legal 500 in 2019
Woman to Watch, Business Insurance (2018)
Insurance Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” for Orange County, Best Lawyers (2017 and 2021)
America USA Guide, Best Lawyers (2015-2023)
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006-2025)
Inducted into the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society and the Litigation Counsel of America
Nominated thrice for the “Top Women in Business” award, Orange County Business Journal
Five-Year Membership Award, National Association of Woman Business Owners
Top Verdicts, Daily Journal (2014)

Mona Z. Hanna

Office Managing Partner

Irvine

+1 714-557-7990

[email protected]

https://www.mrllp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Hanna-Mona-OC_result.jpg.png

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Overview

Associated Industries

Advertising & Digital Media

Financial Services

Insurance

Life Sciences

Mining

Associated Practice Areas

Class Action & Complex Litigation

Representative Matters

Represented the sellers of a financial-services business in post-acquisition litigation against a national financial institution arising from a $15.2 million trading loss that occurred following closing. After the buyer withheld merger consideration under subordinated notes based on alleged pre-closing deficiencies in the company’s risk-management systems, successfully tried the matter before the Delaware Court of Chancery. The Court rejected all indemnification claims, found the losses resulted from the buyer’s own operational decisions, ordered payment of the withheld consideration, and awarded attorneys’ fees against the opposing party for discovery misconduct and improper confidentiality assertions.
Achieved a landmark victory for affiliated insurance carriers in a long-running consumer class action challenging auto-insurance premium practices under California’s “Lowest Rates Rule.” Following more than a decade of litigation, regulatory proceedings, and discovery—and just days before pretrial filings and class notice to more than one million insureds were due—the Northern District of California granted judgment on the pleadings dismissing the certified restitution class claims in their entirety without leave to amend. The ruling eliminated alleged exposure exceeding $440 million and left only a nominal individual claim valued at less than $500.
Represented Shiftsmart, a leading workforce-management platform, in a high-stakes contract dispute arising from the withholding of approximately $8 million under a workforce-services agreement. Following a multi-week jury trial in Dallas, Texas, successfully demonstrated that the opposing party continued to rely on Shiftsmart’s services despite alleging breaches involving indemnification and insurance obligations. The jury awarded Shiftsmart approximately $14 million in compensatory damages and interest, while awarding the opposing party approximately $1 million on limited indemnification and insurance-related counterclaims, resulting in a substantial net recovery for the client.
Obtained an eight-figure federal jury verdict following a seven-day trial on behalf of a global private aviation company in claims against its former Assistant Director of Operations for breach of contract and breach of the duty of loyalty, and against affiliated entities for intentional interference with contractual relations arising from the theft of the company’s customers.
Successfully represented a publicly held digital-rights enforcement company in a widely publicized nationwide putative class action alleging violations of the TCPA, FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, and abuse of process arising from alleged misuse of the DMCA subpoena process. After demonstrating the weakness of the named plaintiffs’ claims, class counsel voluntarily dismissed the federal and state fair-debt claims. Thereafter, successfully brought an anti-SLAPP motion striking the remaining abuse-of-process claim in its entirety, resulting in an award of attorneys’ fees in the client’s favor.
Successfully defended a former Executive Vice President of a title insurance company against claims for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets arising from his departure to a competing firm after promised ownership interests failed to materialize. Plaintiffs sought approximately $14 million in lost profits and alleged more than $250 million in lost enterprise value. Following a seven-week trial, the jury rejected plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety and awarded the client $50,000 on his breach-of-contract counterclaim.
Successfully defended a national insurance brokerage in a class action alleging unlawful recording of customer telephone calls without proper disclosures under California law. Plaintiffs sought potentially billions of dollars in statutory damages based on approximately 600,000 alleged calls. Developed a defense grounded in the legislative intent underlying the statute—namely, protection against industrial espionage—which resulted in dismissal of the action in its entirety.
Represented a prominent insurance brokerage facing a $42 million judgment for alleged violations of California wage-and-hour laws. Developed a defense demonstrating that conflicts between federal and state law required substantial reduction of the judgment. The federal court reduced the judgment to $1.2 million, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed on appeal.
Successfully defended a company’s CEO, executives, and board members in shareholder litigation alleging approximately $140 million in damages arising from claims that shareholders had been misled into selling shares before a higher-value corporate transaction. After assuming the defense on the eve of a proposed $40 million settlement, redesigned the litigation strategy and obtained dismissal of the entire action on the eve of trial following two years of litigation.
Obtained a seven-figure recovery on behalf of a medical-scrubs manufacturer in a significant trademark-infringement action against a competing apparel company. Following repeated discovery abuses by defendants, secured sanctions exceeding $250,000, terminating sanctions, and default judgment. Thereafter successfully defended multiple appeals and bankruptcy proceedings, ultimately securing compensation for the client through a structured settlement.
Successfully represented the owner of a small insurance brokerage in litigation brought by two former employees alleging wrongful termination. After determining the former employees were improperly soliciting brokerage customers using confidential client information, filed a cross-complaint for trade-secret misappropriation. Secured summary judgment against plaintiffs’ claims and thereafter obtained a unanimous jury verdict awarding $500,000 in compensatory damages on the cross-claims.
Represented a metal supply company in a putative wage-and-hour class action brought by a former employee. Filed a successful petition to compel arbitration, demonstrating that any arbitration would proceed on an individual—not classwide—basis, which resulted in a highly favorable settlement covering approximately 265 current and former employees for pennies on the dollar.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions

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

Professional Affiliations

Orange County Bar Association (Board of Directors, Finance Committee Member, Business Litigation Section Chair, Labor & Employment Section)
California Bar Association
Los Angeles Bar Association

Community Involvement

Working Wardrobes (Smart Women’s Circle)
Women’s Association of Villa Park

Education

University of California, Hastings College of Law, J.D.
California State University of Los Angeles, B.S.

Recognition

Women in Law Honoree, Orange County Business Journal (2022, 2023, 2024)
Power of Women Honoree, Orange Coast (2024)
Top Woman Lawyer, Daily Journal (2021)
Top 50 Women Lawyers In Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine (2021)
Orange County Lawyer of the Year (Litigation and Insurance), Best Lawyers (2021)
Identified by the Esteemed Directory, M&R’s Commercial Litigation practice was “Recommended” by The Legal 500 in 2019
Woman to Watch, Business Insurance (2018)
Insurance Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” for Orange County, Best Lawyers (2017 and 2021)
America USA Guide, Best Lawyers (2015-2023)
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006-2025)
Inducted into the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society and the Litigation Counsel of America
Nominated thrice for the “Top Women in Business” award, Orange County Business Journal
Five-Year Membership Award, National Association of Woman Business Owners
Top Verdicts, Daily Journal (2014)

Mona Z. Hanna

Mona Z. Hanna

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Mona Z. Hanna

Associated Industries

Associated Practice Areas

Representative Matters

Credentials

Recognition

Insights & News

Congratulations to our 2025 Best Lawyers!

Congratulations, Mona!

Congratulations, Mona Hanna, a Leading Commercial Litigator

Congratulations, Mona Hanna, Among OC’s Most Influential People

Congratulations, Mona!

Why This Midsize Firm Decided to Take Trial Training In House

Mona Hanna and Kelly Hagemann Recognized as Leaders of Influence

Mona Hanna and Kelly Hagemann have been featured by the Orange County Business Journal in its Leaders of Influence

Mona Hanna Recognized as a Leader of Influence

Mona Hanna Featured in Orange County Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence, Women in Law Edition

Michelman & Robinson Eyes Expansion In 2022

Aircraft charter wins $11.9M verdict from former employee

U.S. District Court Issues $11.9M Verdict in Favor of Aircraft Charter

Calif. Court Rules in Favor of Midway in Insurance Case

Custodian Seeks To Toss Crypto IRA Co.’s Suit Over Assets

Custodian Calls For Sanctions As Bitcoin IRA Feud Heats Up

California Court of Appeal Hands Win to Insurer, Rental Car Space

8 M&R Attorneys Named to Southern California Super Lawyers for 2019

Mona Hanna a Woman to Watch in 2018

8 M&R Attorneys Named to Southern California Super Lawyers for 2020

Medium Cool: Why You Can’t Fluster Mona Z. Hanna

Treasury, SBA Sued Over PPP Loan Eligibility Guidance

Software Company Sues to Avoid Repaying $750,000 PPP Loan

Small Businesses Counting on Loan Forgiveness Could Be Stuck With Debt

Strip clubs, payday lenders, lobbyists fight to get emergency federal loans

Businesses sue over Payment Protection Program guidelines

Michelman & Robinson Attorneys Named to the 2018 List of Best Lawyers in America

Four Michelman & Robinson Attorneys Named to the 2019 List of Best Lawyers in America

The Legal 500 Recognizes M&R for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Mona Hanna One of Southern California’s Top 50 Women Lawyers

Mona Z. Hanna

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Overview

Practice Area

Representative Matters

Credentials

Recognition

Mona Z. Hanna

“In the most consequential cases, success demands more than skill. It takes strategy, composure, and the clarity to lead.”

Overview

Associated Industries

Associated Practice Areas

Representative Matters

Credentials

Recognition