Leah K. McKechnie

Counsel

Leah is counsel in Newmeyer Dillion’s Newport Beach office.  Her practice primarily focuses on business litigation, contract negotiation, construction litigation, eminent domain and real property disputes.

Leah has experience representing a variety of clients including business owners, Fortune 500 companies, homebuilders, contractors, design professionals, individuals and beyond.  Her experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of civil litigation matters provides her with unique insight in resolving disputes from each perspective.

Clients appreciate Leah’s attentiveness, dedication and persistence, in addition to her personalized service which keeps them informed at every turn.  She strives to resolve disputes for her clients in the most practical and efficient manner through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation.

Leah brings an empathetic approach to her client’s needs, along with a collective approach to client service.  She is integrally involved with strategy and problem solving on how to best serve the firm’s clients in achieving their goals.  Her strong background in research and legal writing complements the firm’s service team.  She leverages her past experience as a law review editor, law school writing tutor, and research specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to craft persuasive writing on complex issues for clients.

Leah has negotiated numerous favorable settlements for her clients and has succeeded on a multitude of dispositive motions. Some of her accomplishments include the following:

• Tried eminent domain matter with lead trial counsel Charles Krolikowski against County that resulted in a $39 million dollar jury verdict (over $40 million with interest/costs), when the initial offer by the County was only $15 million
• Settled an eminent domain case for $2.2 million, when the initial offer by the public agency was $660,000.
• Won a motion for summary judgment defending a contractor against a six figure commercial insurance lawsuit for breach of contract and declaratory relief.
• Obtained favorable settlement for real estate brokers in a breach of contract and fraud action to recover a real estate commission on a six figure transaction. Successfully opposed both defendants’ motions for summary judgment.
• Successfully defeated insurer’s motion for summary judgment in connection with insurer’s declaratory relief action for reimbursement of indemnity and attorneys’ fees against a developer.