SILICON VALLEY – June 9, 2020 – Working pro bono with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP achieved a victory on behalf of Caru Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in its lawsuit against Susan B. Anthony d/b/a California Carolina Dogs. Xavier Marc Brandwajn, a Shareholder in the firm’s Silicon Valley office, led the two- and half-year legal battle to shut down what Caru characterized as illegal breeding in unsanitary and unlawful conditions. On June 2, the Superior Court of Solano County granted summary judgment in favor of Caru.
“We are extremely pleased with the result, and proud to have assisted the Animal Legal Defense Fund in its important work protecting animal rights and advancing animal law,” said Brandwajn. “We are confident that this significant victory will serve as a precedent moving forward for more effective and codified enforcement of animal rights.”
Originally filed in 2017, the lawsuit sought injunctive and declaratory relief against California Carolina Dogs based on violations of California’s Polanco-Lockyer Pet Breeder Warranty Act and provisions of the Vallejo Municipal Code. In late 2019, the Court granted summary adjudication in Caru’s favor, subsequently granting summary judgment against California Carolina Dogs on all remaining claims.
In addition to Brandwajn, the Greenberg Traurig team included associates Brian Q. Hall, Shauna E. Imanaka, paralegal Dennis Meraz, litigation assistant Jessi Knight, and litigation secretary Shermie Irasga. The team collaborated with co-counsel Christopher Berry and Alexandra Monson of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said in a statement: “The court’s decision is an important step in our efforts to close down illegal breeders like California Carolina Dogs so they can’t harm more animals both emotionally and physically. We cannot be more grateful for the litigation expertise and zealous advocacy of Xavier Brandwajn and his team over this two-and-a half-year litigation.”
For their work on the case, Brandwajn and Timothy Watson were awarded the “Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award” by The Animal Legal Defense Fund in 2018.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Pro Bono Program: Greenberg Traurig lawyers across the firm’s offices provide pro bono legal services to the indigent and working poor, as well as to numerous civic and charitable organizations dedicated to assisting them. The firm focuses its resources on specialized and interrelated issues including civil rights and affirmative action, anti-human trafficking, family law matters, children’s rights, criminal appeals, immigration and political asylum, housing, and homelessness.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 41 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.