Marc R. Jacobs

Partner
Los Angeles
+1 310-299-5500
[email protected]
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Marc R. Jacobs

Partner
“I lead complex cases with a singular focus—protecting the enterprise. That means managing teams, setting strategy, and seeing around corners to anticipate challenges before they surface.”

Marc Jacobs brings nearly 30 years of litigation experience to bear in disputes that carry real business, financial, and reputational consequences. Known for his strategic thinking and courtroom instincts, he represents clients in litigation where the exposure is measured not just in dollars, but in brand and operational risk.

His practice spans financial services, insurance, employment, real estate, and regulatory matters. Marc represents banks, insurers, marketing companies, and property developers in cases involving trade secrets, unfair competition, consumer privacy, and class actions. From deceptive advertising claims to Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) suits, he is known for litigation strategies that protect the bottom line.

Marc also advises marketing and technology companies on compliance and risk tied to digital campaigns, user data, and fast-moving regulatory standards. His clients count on him not just to defend lawsuits, but to anticipate and avoid them when possible.

Beyond the courtroom, Marc has supported elite gymnastics organizations in the U.S. and U.K., advising on matters of privacy, governance, and risk. A creative at heart, he is also a published novelist and legal cartoonist whose work has appeared in publications nationwide.

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Representative Matters

  • Represented a leading workforce-management platform in a high-stakes contract dispute with a market research giant. Tried the case in Dallas, Texas, after the market research company withheld $8 million in payments while continuing to use our client’s services. During the week-long trial, exposed contradictions in the opposing party’s indemnification and insurance coverage claims through testimony from its own senior executives. The jury ruled decisively for our client, awarding approximately $14 million—$11 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in interest.
  • Achieved a monumental win for a group of affiliated insurance carriers in a long-running consumer class action challenging auto-insurance premium practices under California’s “Lowest Rates Rule.” After a decade of motion practice, regulatory intervention, and discovery—and with trial looming over a certified restitution class of more than one million policyholders—the court granted our Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and dismissed the certified class claim in its entirety just days before pretrial filings and class notice were due. The ruling eliminated nine-figure exposure and left only a negligible individual claim valued at under $500.
  • Represented a national insurance brokerage against its former regional president, who departed with trade secrets, client lists, and customers while claiming entitlement to a multi-million-dollar buyout of his company shares. Filed suit for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets, asserting offsetting claims. Settled the matter for $5,000 in favor of the brokerage, with an order barring the former president from using the stolen trade secrets.
  • Successfully defended a national insurance brokerage against a class action alleging that recording customer telephone calls without proper disclosures violated California law. Plaintiffs sought $3 billion in statutory damages ($5,000 per call for approximately 600,000 calls). Built a defense based on legislative intent dating back to 1967, demonstrating the statutes were designed to protect against industrial espionage, not improved customer service. After extensive argument, the court agreed and dismissed the case in the client’s favor.
  • Represented a prominent insurance brokerage facing a $42 million judgment for alleged violations of California’s wage and hour overtime laws. Conducted an in-depth analysis and developed a defense showing that the judgment should be reduced to $1.2 million due to conflicts between federal and state law. Successfully argued that California’s Unfair Competition Law could not expand a federal class, as Congress prohibited such expansion decades ago. The federal court agreed and limited the judgment to $1.2 million; the Ninth Circuit upheld the ruling on appeal.
  • Successfully defended an insurance carrier accused of failing to cover damages in a construction defect lawsuit. After a three-week trial, obtained a finding of no liability for breach of contract or bad faith, avoiding potential exposure exceeding $17 million. The trial court’s ruling was later affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
  • Represented a high-profile private equity firm under investigation by the SEC, the Department of Justice, and multiple state Attorneys General seeking over $30 million in fines. After years of litigation in eight jurisdictions and against numerous agencies—following an unsuccessful effort by another national law firm—resolved the matter with “closing letters” from certain agencies and later obtained a $9 million investigation reimbursement for the client from a third party.
  • Achieved a favorable outcome for an insurance broker who, after 25 years of ownership, sued a former employee for misappropriating customers. Tried the case for five weeks and proved misappropriation and conversion of client lists and trade secrets.
  • Filed and won a motion for summary judgment for a client in a complex Bel Air real property dispute involving easements and adverse possession. The victory compelled an encroaching landowner to remove a portion of his property that had been in place for 45 years, and the judgment was subsequently affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
  • Successfully defended a global financial services holding company against mishandled fund wiring claims that allegedly resulted in the foreclosure of the plaintiff’s home. Litigated through trial, with judgment entered for the client after allegations were proven false.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California
Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of California
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • California Bar Association
  • San Fernando County Bar Association
Community Involvement
  • USA Gymnastics
Education
  • Whittier Law School, J.D.
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A.
Recognition
  • Southern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2021,2024)
  • 50 “Very Best Litigators” in L.A., Los Angeles Business Journal (2018)
  • Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2009)
  • Southern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2025)

Marc R. Jacobs

Partner
Los Angeles
+1 310-299-5500
[email protected]
“I lead complex cases with a singular focus—protecting the enterprise. That means managing teams, setting strategy, and seeing around corners to anticipate challenges before they surface.”
Overview

Marc Jacobs brings nearly 30 years of litigation experience to bear in disputes that carry real business, financial, and reputational consequences. Known for his strategic thinking and courtroom instincts, he represents clients in litigation where the exposure is measured not just in dollars, but in brand and operational risk.

His practice spans financial services, insurance, employment, real estate, and regulatory matters. Marc represents banks, insurers, marketing companies, and property developers in cases involving trade secrets, unfair competition, consumer privacy, and class actions. From deceptive advertising claims to Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) suits, he is known for litigation strategies that protect the bottom line.

Marc also advises marketing and technology companies on compliance and risk tied to digital campaigns, user data, and fast-moving regulatory standards. His clients count on him not just to defend lawsuits, but to anticipate and avoid them when possible.

Beyond the courtroom, Marc has supported elite gymnastics organizations in the U.S. and U.K., advising on matters of privacy, governance, and risk. A creative at heart, he is also a published novelist and legal cartoonist whose work has appeared in publications nationwide.

Practice Area

Advertising & Digital Media

Insurance

Technology

Class Action & Complex Litigation

Commercial & Business Litigation

Regulatory & Administrative Law

Representative Matters

  • Represented a leading workforce-management platform in a high-stakes contract dispute with a market research giant. Tried the case in Dallas, Texas, after the market research company withheld $8 million in payments while continuing to use our client’s services. During the week-long trial, exposed contradictions in the opposing party’s indemnification and insurance coverage claims through testimony from its own senior executives. The jury ruled decisively for our client, awarding approximately $14 million—$11 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in interest.
  • Achieved a monumental win for a group of affiliated insurance carriers in a long-running consumer class action challenging auto-insurance premium practices under California’s “Lowest Rates Rule.” After a decade of motion practice, regulatory intervention, and discovery—and with trial looming over a certified restitution class of more than one million policyholders—the court granted our Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and dismissed the certified class claim in its entirety just days before pretrial filings and class notice were due. The ruling eliminated nine-figure exposure and left only a negligible individual claim valued at under $500.
  • Represented a national insurance brokerage against its former regional president, who departed with trade secrets, client lists, and customers while claiming entitlement to a multi-million-dollar buyout of his company shares. Filed suit for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets, asserting offsetting claims. Settled the matter for $5,000 in favor of the brokerage, with an order barring the former president from using the stolen trade secrets.
  • Successfully defended a national insurance brokerage against a class action alleging that recording customer telephone calls without proper disclosures violated California law. Plaintiffs sought $3 billion in statutory damages ($5,000 per call for approximately 600,000 calls). Built a defense based on legislative intent dating back to 1967, demonstrating the statutes were designed to protect against industrial espionage, not improved customer service. After extensive argument, the court agreed and dismissed the case in the client’s favor.
  • Represented a prominent insurance brokerage facing a $42 million judgment for alleged violations of California’s wage and hour overtime laws. Conducted an in-depth analysis and developed a defense showing that the judgment should be reduced to $1.2 million due to conflicts between federal and state law. Successfully argued that California’s Unfair Competition Law could not expand a federal class, as Congress prohibited such expansion decades ago. The federal court agreed and limited the judgment to $1.2 million; the Ninth Circuit upheld the ruling on appeal.
  • Successfully defended an insurance carrier accused of failing to cover damages in a construction defect lawsuit. After a three-week trial, obtained a finding of no liability for breach of contract or bad faith, avoiding potential exposure exceeding $17 million. The trial court’s ruling was later affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
  • Represented a high-profile private equity firm under investigation by the SEC, the Department of Justice, and multiple state Attorneys General seeking over $30 million in fines. After years of litigation in eight jurisdictions and against numerous agencies—following an unsuccessful effort by another national law firm—resolved the matter with “closing letters” from certain agencies and later obtained a $9 million investigation reimbursement for the client from a third party.
  • Achieved a favorable outcome for an insurance broker who, after 25 years of ownership, sued a former employee for misappropriating customers. Tried the case for five weeks and proved misappropriation and conversion of client lists and trade secrets.
  • Filed and won a motion for summary judgment for a client in a complex Bel Air real property dispute involving easements and adverse possession. The victory compelled an encroaching landowner to remove a portion of his property that had been in place for 45 years, and the judgment was subsequently affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
  • Successfully defended a global financial services holding company against mishandled fund wiring claims that allegedly resulted in the foreclosure of the plaintiff’s home. Litigated through trial, with judgment entered for the client after allegations were proven false.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California
Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of California
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • California Bar Association
  • San Fernando County Bar Association
Community Involvement
  • USA Gymnastics
Education
  • Whittier Law School, J.D.
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A.
Recognition
  • Southern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2021,2024)
  • 50 “Very Best Litigators” in L.A., Los Angeles Business Journal (2018)
  • Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2009)
  • Southern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2025)