Overview
Richard Johnson is a litigator in the San Francisco office of Munger, Tolles & Olson whose practice is focused on high-stakes and high-complexity commercial claims.
With an emphasis on matters related to class litigation and professional responsibility, he has represented several of the nation’s largest companies and law firms in their most sensitive matters, including multiple international law firms with collective exposures in the billions.
He serves via mayoral appointment on the City of Richmond’s Environmental and Community Investment Agreement (ECIA) Transportation Oversight Committee, which oversees Richmond’s allocation of public funds to transit projects and other transportation initiatives. He has also served as a volunteer deputy for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, first-chairing five jury trials for criminal offenses.
Immediately after his clerkships and before joining the firm, Richard served as a Munger, Tolles & Olson Fellow for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law during the 2020 election, assisting with cases to ensure voter rights and combat voter suppression.
Before his clerkships, Richard was a litigation associate with a major international law firm, where his practice focused on professional liability matters and securities litigation.
Experience
Mass Torts, Class Actions and Product Liability
Activision Blizzard in a complex class action involving parallel state and federal proceedings regarding alleged sexual discrimination and harassment.
Shimano in a nationwide class action regarding allegedly improperly designed bicycle parts.
Intel Corporation in a nationwide class action regarding allegedly defective computer processors.
Electronic Arts in nationwide products liability cases regarding the design of video games, in which the defendants defeated a petition to consolidate the cases before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in civil cases arising from the 2021 Dixie Fire, one of the largest wildfires in California history.
Professional Liability and Commercial Disputes
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in a settlement against lender CashCall asserting the law firm approved a controversial business model under which CashCall partnered with a Native American tribe to avoid state lending laws that prohibit excessive rates of interest when making loans.
Lyft in various appeals in cases involving whether rideshare drivers are required to arbitrate their claims against the company or whether the drivers fall within an exception to the Federal Arbitration Act that covers classes of transportation workers engaged in interstate commerce.
American Express Company in a case alleging fraud in connection with an acquisition.
Intel Corporation in a case alleging breach of contract and tortious interference claims arising from a joint investment.
MGM Resorts International in an employee mobility/trade secret litigation.
The following includes representations prior to Richard’s affiliation with Munger, Tolles & Olson:
A global law firm in connection with claims asserted by the Stanford Financial equity receiver and investors.
An international bank in a cross-border tax investigation by the United States Department of Justice, Federal Reserve and New York Department of Financial Services.
A private equity client in threatened litigation based on fraudulent inducement arising from an investment.
More
- Richard maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes an appeal argued in the California Court of Appeal that led to a published decision.