The San Francisco 49ers are synonymous with excellence in the NFL. The team prides itself on both its winning culture and the top-tier experience it delivers to a devoted fanbase. So when the 49ers were pulled into a complex legal battle with the architects responsible for designing their home field, the stakes were enormous.

The case stemmed from an Americans with Disabilities Act class action settlement, which included a court finding that more than 1,400 design defects at Levi’s Stadium impacted disabled fans—defects the 49ers were required to remediate. With trial against the architects fast approaching, the team turned to us for answers.

In short order, we developed a comprehensive legal and discovery strategy, took more than 40 depositions in just 10 weeks, defeated a motion for summary judgment, and prepared the case for a courtroom battle. These efforts culminated in a multi-day mediation that resulted in a highly favorable settlement for the 49ers and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority.

The hard-fought resolution enabled the storied NFL franchise to recover the cost of stadium remediation, as well as attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. Thanks to our decisive intervention, the 49ers avoided tens of millions in potential exposure and were able to move forward with essential stadium upgrades—helping ensure that every fan, regardless of ability, can enjoy the full game-day experience.