Atty. Thomas Stephen Slovak
Mr. Slovak is one of the founding partners of SBEMP.
Profile Summary
About Thomas Stephen Slovak at a glance
Thomas Stephen Slovak is an Of Counsel based in Indian Wells, California, practicing at Slovak Baron Empey Murphy Pinkney Llp. They have 52+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1974. Their practice focuses on trusts, employment, business, real estate, and class action. Admitted to practice in California (1974) and U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Central Districts of California (1974). Educated at University of Southern California (J.D., 1974) and California State Polytechnic University (B.A., 1971). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Desert Bar Association. Serands clients in Indian Wells, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Mr. Slovak is one of the founding partners of SBEMP
- His diverse practice of over forty years includes commercial, real-estate, and business litigation in both state and federal courts throughout California
- Today, his emphasis is on sophisticated business and employment litigation, with an emphasis in trusts and estates litigation
- He has litigated almost every type of civil case, including financial and elder abuse disputes
- Throughout his career, Mr. Slovak has represented companies and individuals on land use matters, partnership disputes, shareholder derivative suits, fiduciary duty disputes of all types, will and trust contests, eminent domain, construction defect litigation including subsidence claims, anti-trust claims, unfair business practice, unfair competition, and trade infringement claims to name just a few
- In the last decade, he has become involved in resolving tribal litigation in tribal, federal, and state courts
- Mr. Slovak is known for finding prompt resolutions even in bitter disputes, while also avoiding substantial legal fees and costs required for extended litigation and trial
- His view is that complexity with numerous variables increases the possibilities of a resolution, if fully understood
- Mr. Slovak has handled numerous commercial and labor arbitration matters, as well as participated in well over 150 sophisticated mediations as counsel and occasionally acted as a private mediator upon request
- He often volunteers his time to serve on the Riverside Superior Court voluntary panel of mediators
- He presently resides in Rancho Mirage, California with his wife
- His hobbies include traveling, photography, and reading
- Golf does not fit into his schedule given his busy trial practice
- NOTABLE ENGAGEMENTS Tried a dispute defending the seller of commercial property against claims of fraud and failures to disclose defects in what is believed to be one of the longest civil jury trials in Riverside County history, which lasted over four months, with a successful result for the defense with the jury just out four hours to reach its verdict
- Against the County of San Bernardino, he obtained a $2.3 million judgment for a woman wrongfully terminated due to a physical disability
- Represented the Sheriff of Madera County resisting tribal court injunctions restricting law enforcement on reservation land
- Represented landowner involved in flood claims and repairs of flood channels on golf courses
- Represented longtime girlfriend of decedent defending against a trust contest and personal and financial elder abuse claims
- Represented a publicly traded company developing and then operating regional shopping centers in subsidence case filed before AAA against large grading company and engineers where 18′ foot fills were found to be at 70% compaction or less
- Case successfully settled on confidential terms
- Defended owner of a LLC of multiple building apartment complex against claim by buyer of breach of purchase agreement alleging fraud and the existence of latent construction defects that owner allegedly was required to repair pre-closing, despite “as is” clause in purchase agreement
- Plaintiff claimed $8 million in actual damages plus attorney’s fees and cost
- Jury returned unanimous defense verdict after four-month trial with Judge awarding client $1.8 million in expert costs and legal fees
- On behalf of thousands of California employees, successfully brought as lead or co-lead trial counsel many wage and hour California class action cases against national companies, including a union operating in California
- All were settled, either prior to or after certification of class
- Terms of settlements generally restrain counsel from mentioning parties or terms
- Also has defended employers against such claims
- Represented landowner in finalizing and settling a $24 million inverse condemnation case and effecting judgement against a city
- Represented plaintiff purchaser of national franchise and associated facilities in breach of contract and fraud claims for misrepresenting financials and withholding information regarding location of property on landfill with resulting subsidence to building
- Jury award of seven figures including punitive damages
- Verdict upheld on appeal
- Represented hourly employee against County of San Bernardino for wrongful termination and disability discrimination
- Jury verdict with attorney’s fees exceeded $2 million
- Verdict upheld on appeal
- Represented sons of decedent by earlier marriage against claims of decedent’s spouse who at death was excluded per a pre-marital agreement from any interest in decedent’s estate including a family trucking and rail business
- Spouse claimed community property interest in company alleging decedent underpaid for community efforts expended during lifetime by sons and their mother, as salary paid decedent was claimed to undervalue community efforts expended and community property intermingled with separate property accounts. $8 million dollars claimed by Petitioner spouse
- After six-week trial, probate judge denied spouse’s claims
- Represented Stanford University as a beneficiary of a trust in will contest and pre-death fraud case against individuals who took over the operation of an elderly couple’s business shortly before their death
- Entire estate recovered
- Represented a software company in misappropriation of trade secret case against departing employees who formed new company and solicited customers
- Represented an upscale country club in state court action alleging construction defects in clubhouse against twenty-three defendants including nationally known general contractor, architects and product suppliers
- Case settled during mediation for high 7 figures including recovery of all attorney’s fees, plus contractor making repairs per client’s defined scope of work with extended warranty
- Represented in arbitration a medical center claiming violations of covenants not to compete by departing physicians
- Covenant upheld by arbitrator and case settled
- Represented national homebuilder in arbitration against another national homebuilder over escrow deposit involving large land purchase where client alleged condition precedent of developed lots being in place was not timely met to require escrow to close
- After arbitration, judgment for client with attorney’s fees and costs awarded
- Defended wind energy developer against claims of “misappropriating the wind” brought by downwind developer who placed turbines on its land first in time
- Case successfully settled through unique joint venture agreement
- Represented numerous employees and employers in wrongful termination cases based on breach of employment contracts, as well as several sexual harassments and all types of discrimination based on race, sex, and disabilities including a case representing guards at a privately run, state prison alleging termination for not adhering to religious beliefs and practices instituted at the prison by owner
- Represented CEO of hospital district resulting in recall of board members and reinstatement of client
- Acted as confidential mediator in workouts of dissolution of law firm practices
- Defended majority shareholder against shareholder derivative lawsuit seeking dissolution of corporation
- Case voluntarily dismissed upon presentation of evidence rebutting claims of alleged mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties
- Represented numerous real estate developers and parties to joint ventures and limited liability companies involving internal disputes over alleged mismanagement of development and violations of breach of fiduciary duties
- Defended nationally known lawyer against attempt to remove from high end country club for making allegations during HOA election of mismanagement and misconduct by developer who controlled the club
- State court action resulted in reinstatement and payment of attorney’s fees
- PUBLICATIONS “There is More to Arbitration Than Just Arbitrating,” California Lawyer, May 2000 TEACHING AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS “Commercial Arbitration Agreements: Their Use and Misuse” Desert Bar Association, Real Estate, Business & Bankruptcy Section, November 12, 2018, Indian Wells, California. “Superior Deposition Strategies in California Civil Trial Practice” National Business Institute, November 8, 2002, San Bernardino, California
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas Stephen Slovak's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas Stephen Slovak handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Thomas Stephen Slovak is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Thomas Stephen Slovak is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Thomas Stephen Slovak is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Thomas Stephen Slovak is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →
Thomas Stephen Slovak is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Indian Wells are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Indian Wells or all attorneys in California.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Thomas Stephen Slovak
Where is Thomas Stephen Slovak's law office located?
What practice areas does Thomas Stephen Slovak handle?
How long has Thomas Stephen Slovak practiced law?
Where did Thomas Stephen Slovak go to law school?
How can I contact Thomas Stephen Slovak for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Thomas Stephen Slovak received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.