Overview
For the past 34 years, Bill Temko has been engaged in a complex commercial litigation practice in the Los Angeles firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson.
Bill was born in Washington, D.C., in 1954. He received his B.A. degree from Williams College (with honors, magna cum laude) in 1976, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the 1976 Graves Essay Prize for the best senior thesis in Political Science.
Bill received his J.D. degree from Columbia Law School in 1979, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and articles editor of the Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems. Following graduation from law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Frank A. Kaufman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland during the 1979-1980 term.
As part of the commercial litigation practice, Bill has counseled clients, litigated, and negotiated complex multi-party agreements and settlements in the areas of business and contract litigation, securities litigation and antitrust.
In addition, Bill regularly provides pro bono representation to various community organizations in the Los Angeles area. He is a member of the Board of Directors (and former Board Chair) of United Friends of the Children and co-chair of the California Committee South of Human Rights Watch. He is repeatedly recognized in The Best Lawyers of America guide.
Capabilities
Experience
Key Representations
Shell Oil Company in:
- class actions alleging gasoline price-fixing in California and Hawaii. Obtained summary judgment in indirect purchaser class action, which was affirmed by the California Supreme Court in Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co., 25 Cal.4th 826 (2001).
- nationwide litigation, including multi-district litigation proceedings in the Southern District of New York, arising out of gasoline additive contamination of drinking water aquifers.
LG Electronics in multi-district antitrust litigation based on allegation that manufacturers of cathode ray tubes conspired to fix prices.
Alyeska and its oil company owners in the civil litigation arising from the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), a Congressionally-established Native American-owned corporation based in Anchorage, Alaska, for which he has served as primary outside litigation counsel since 1981.
- Acted as lead counsel for CIRI in a series of lawsuits filed in federal court in Alaska and Washington, D.C. involving the United States, the State of Alaska and major oil companies regarding oil and gas royalty rights in Alaska, resulting in payments of more than $100 million to CIRI.
- Played a lead role in negotiating a global revenue-sharing agreement among the twelve Native-owned Alaska Regional Corporations under the aegis of a Court-appointed Special Master.
- Represented CIRI in a series of cases enforcing the Alaska Securities Act, including obtaining court orders voiding proxies obtained by false and misleading proxy solicitations.
Salomon Bros. in lawsuits involving mortgage-backed securities.
GCI Communications, a telephone and wireless communications company in Anchorage, Alaska, in a series of commercial disputes.
A hedge fund in a series of lawsuits involving contractual disputes and mortgage-backed securities.
Sports & Entertainment Litigation and Counseling
Seattle Seahawks football team in their efforts to move the franchise from Seattle to Los Angeles, including all related litigation; also represented the owners of the Seahawks in the sale of the team to Paul Allen.
Professional athletes in litigation and endorsement related disputes (including professional basketball, baseball and soccer players and professional golfers).
Jermaine O’Neal in litigation and arbitration proceedings arising out of the “Malice at the Palace” altercation between fans and players during a 2004 game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons.
Preeminent sports agents in litigation matters (including successfully defending a lawsuit brought against his agent by Latrell Sprewell arising out of his choking incident and suspension).
The National Football League in contract litigation.
A film and television studio, and its network, in lawsuits involving contractual disputes.
News & Insights
Awards & Recognitions