Eric J. Rollins

Partner

A partner in the Newport Beach office of Newmeyer Dillion, Eric Rollins provides legal counsel in a diverse array of practice areas with a focus on business, real estate, construction, insurance, and entertainment law. In his more than ten years at the firm, Eric has litigated and resolved hundreds of matters in both state and federal court through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Eric strives to efficiently achieve exceptional results through hard work, compelling written and oral persuasion, leadership, and professionalism to clients, opposing counsel and parties. A homegrown partner, Eric is steeped in the Newmeyer Dillion philosophy which holds that clients, and the business vision that drives them, always come first.

Real Estate, Construction and Insurance Litigation

A member of the firm’s real estate, construction, and business litigation teams, Eric represents numerous publicly-traded real estate developers and contractors in all matters relating to their construction business. He has a strong understanding of California’s Right to Repair Act (SB 800) and has successfully resolved hundreds of millions of dollars in complex construction claims. Eric regularly pursues insurers to pay coverage claims, and has successfully defended claims arising out of construction accidents based on the Privette doctrine. Well-versed in the key role that insurance plays in real estate and construction projects, Eric helps his clients leverage their insurance coverage to mitigate risk by protecting assets and cash flow and avoiding costly delays.

Eric represents two of the largest homebuilders in the Western U.S. and counsels several new generation homebuilders focused on innovative, eco-friendly design concepts. In his capacity as lead point person for this key group of clients, Eric quarterbacks issues involving complicated construction defect claims and business litigation matters. A proactive problem-solver, Eric evaluates the facts of each case and always seeks to apply legal remedies that will keep his clients out of court.

Business Litigation

For business clients, Eric has litigated claims involving breach of contract, business and real property torts. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in countless breach of contract cases and tort-based claims including fraud, negligent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, unfair business practices, conversion, negligence, nuisance and trespass. He successfully litigated numerous commercial litigation matters for a Fortune 100 company and obtained a case dispositive ruling for an escrow company case involving 11 causes of action. Skilled at using arbitration to resolve legal conflicts, Eric recently sat first chair in an arbitration involving breach of contract and recovered 100% of the amount of damages in dispute.

Entertainment Law

As a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, advisory board member at the Geffen Playhouse, and lover of the arts, Eric litigates a wide variety of entertainment disputes and helps structure and implement various transactions within the entertainment industry. He has represented talent in the film and television industry, negotiated employment agreements for industry executives, publishing agreements for authors, and non-theatrical distribution agreements for distributors. Other actions included voiding a talent contract with an agent based on the Miller-Ayala Athlete Agents Act and representing a talent agency in conversion and unjust enrichment action against a former agent.

Outside the Courtroom

Erich has been a guest speaker with the Building Industry Association of Southern California and a guest lecturer at USC’s Gould School of Law. He has published articles in trade organization and business publications, including the Orange County Business Journal. Away from the office, Eric is an avid golfer, lover of music as a former Epic Award Scholar at Berklee College of Music, and a fan of all professional sports teams from his hometown of Dallas, Texas.