A litigator in Dickinson Wright’s San Diego office, Eric McDonough handles complex business and commercial disputes across a range of industries. His practice focuses on trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation, technology and unfair competition disputes, real estate conflicts, product liability and tort cases, and insurance bad faith and ERISA matters.
Eric has represented clients in high-stakes litigation at trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts throughout California and including before the California Court of Appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Massachusetts Supreme Court. His experience spans all phases of civil litigation, from discovery through post-trial proceedings. He was recognized by Best Lawyers for Commercial Litigation.
Education & Credentials
Education
Santa Clara University Law School
J.D., 1997University of California, Berkeley
B.A., 1992Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Commercial Litigation, 2023
- Daily Journal
- Top Trade Secrets Lawyers, 2023-2024
- Los Angeles Business Journal
- Lawyers and Leaders of Influence, 2023-2024
Prominent Assignments
- Represented National Retailer in oral argument in privacy action before Massachusetts Supreme Court.
- Represented Insurer in multiple appellate arguments before Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented National Retailer in Song-Beverly Act appellate argument before California Court of Appeal.
- Represented international Defense Contractor in Breach of Contract and Fraud action brought by former competitor alleging breach of contract and fraud claims (Kern County Superior Court).
- Represented startup Hypercar company in partnership dispute (Orange County Superior Court).
- Represented NBA player in contract dispute with hotel resort related to charity golf tournament after player was traded and could no longer host charity golf tournament at resort (arbitration).
- Represented former professional tennis player in civil action arising out of claims of assault and battery and fraud, stemming from a high-profile dispute with Los Angeles businessman (Los Angeles County Superior Court).
- Represent trainer of NBA, college, and high school basketball players in partnership and fraud dispute with former partner (Los Angeles County Superior Court).
- Represented U.S. subsidiary of French avionics company in antitrust dispute with competitor in In-Flight Entertainment industry (USDC Central District of California).
- Represented national tire retailer in franchise dispute with over a dozen franchisees related to terms of negotiated franchise agreement (Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Represented national waste management entity in dispute with former employees regarding alleged theft of trade secrets (San Diego County Superior Court).
- Represented west coast fast food entity in multi-faceted dispute with former business partners and investors regarding various contract disputes, franchise agreements, and alleged theft of trade secrets (Los Angeles County Superior Court).
- Represent electric vehicle manufacturer in various real estate disputes throughout California.
- Represented international supplier of condiments to fast food industry in whistle-blower employment dispute arising out of product manufacturing (Orange County Superior Court).
Professional Involvement
- California Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Santa Barbara Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Sports Lawyers Association
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1998