Ashton R. Watkins

Ashton R. Watkins is a trial attorney and of counsel to LHP. He has tried cases in both state and federal courts, as well as administrative tribunals.

Mr. Watkins’ practice is very diverse. He focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on real estate and business disputes. He regularly represents clients in the financial services industry, retailers and a diverse group of professionals (pharmacists, medical doctors, physical therapists) in actions involving claims of breach of contract, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy, negligence and violations of the California Business and Professions Code. He also represents litigation clients in the entertainment industry, including actors, movie producers and cinematographers. He has also represented criminal defendants facing fraud charges.

Mr. Watkins is focused on results at the trial and appellate levels. He first tries to negotiate a settlement favorable to the client and, if that fails, takes the case to trial. He has obtained judgments and settlements for clients in excess of $2 million dollars.

He has also obtained defense verdicts, saving his clients several millions in potential jury verdicts. He has also represented homeowners and renters in foreclosure related lawsuits and evictions. Over the last two years, Mr. Watkins has successfully defended several eviction cases against an overly aggressive property owner seeking to evict its long-term tenants who were paying less than the market rent for their units.

He has also successfully briefed and argued an appeal in Le v. Pham (2010) 180 Cal. App. 4th 1201. His victory expanded the fiduciary obligations of owners in regulated professional corporations. The general principle enunciated in that case applies to pharmacy corporations, professional law corporations and medical corporations.