Overview
Colin A. Devine is a litigator who focuses on mass torts and class actions, with an emphasis on environmental and consumer protection claims. He defends companies facing complex, multidistrict litigation and government investigations, both civil and criminal.
Colin has significant experience across a range of industries – including technology, energy, and retail – and at every phase of legal disputes, from investigation and pre-litigation counseling through litigation, trial and appeal.
As a volunteer deputy for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Colin first-chaired four jury trials to verdict for criminal offenses including driving under the influence and vandalism.
Outside the office, Colin enjoys raising his two young sons, hiking, fishing, and Los Angeles sports.
Prior to beginning his practice, Colin graduated first in his class from UCLA School of Law and served as a law clerk for Judge Sandra S. Ikuta in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Capabilities
Experience
Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation
A tobacco company in multiple class action lawsuits around the country alleging products liability and false advertising claims relating to its line of nicotine pouches.
Plains All American Pipeline
- in multiple class action lawsuits arising from the release of crude oil from a pipeline near Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County.
- in a four-month criminal trial arising from a 46-count indictment following the Refugio Beach oil release, including defeating hundreds of millions of dollars in criminal restitution claims.
- in a business dispute arising from the oil release that resulted in an eight-week trial.
A fintech company in a class action alleging statutory and consumer protection claims.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Oaktree Capital Management in a breach of fiduciary duty action in the Delaware Court of Chancery regarding the proceeds of one of Oaktree’s most successful private equity funds.
Lyft, Inc. in an appeal to obtain a stay of claims alleging that rideshare platforms misclassified rideshare drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
Clyde & Co. in extracting the UK law firm from a $330 million 1MDB government forfeiture case involving an arbitral award, which the U.S. Department of Justice alleged was connected to a fraudulent joint venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi.
An individual founder of ROAR LLC in a four-week trial of dissociation and breach of fiduciary duty claims resulting in a defense judgment.
White Collar and Internal Investigations
A major utility company in a criminal investigation into damage to and clean-up of an environmentally sensitive area.
MGM Resorts International in an investigation into allegations of money laundering.
A large public university in a Title IX investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the coach of a major sports team.
A major retailer in multiple investigations into allegations of misconduct against a C-suite executive.
More
- The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch” list, 2024-2026
Colin represents indigent criminal defendants in appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court that raise unsettled First, Fourth and Sixth Amendment questions.
Publications
- Supreme Court may limit class certification through Article III standing requirement, March 10, 2025
- “A Critique of the Secular Exceptions Approach to Religious Exemptions,” UCLA Law Review, 62(1348), 2015
News & Insights
Awards & Recognitions