Searching for the “Orange County trial lawyers”?
Darrell P. White
Co-Founding Partner
Joshua M. Kimura
Co-Founding Partner
William O. London
Co-Founding Partner
When a Case Has to Go to Court, Experience at Trial Is Everything
Most business disputes settle. But the ones that do not, the ones where too much is at stake to accept a bad offer, require attorneys who are genuinely prepared to take a case all the way to verdict. That preparation changes everything, including how the other side negotiates.
Kimura London & White LLP is an Irvine-based trial firm recognized by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report as a Best Law Firm of 2026. Our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases to completion in state and federal courts throughout California and have recovered over $21 million for clients in complex business disputes. We are not a settlement shop that occasionally steps into a courtroom. We are trial lawyers first.
What Makes a True Trial Lawyer Different
There is a meaningful difference between an attorney who handles business disputes and an attorney who tries them. Most business litigation attorneys settle the vast majority of their cases, which is sometimes the right outcome but not always. When you are facing an adversary who refuses to be reasonable, a partner who has stolen from the company, or a contract dispute worth millions, you need counsel whose default setting is trial readiness, not settlement pressure.
Our attorneys approach every case from day one as if it is going to trial. That means building the evidentiary record early, developing the trial narrative before mediation, and letting the other side know that if they do not come to the table reasonably, they will see us in court. That posture produces better settlements when settlement is appropriate and better verdicts when it is not.
Our Trial Practice
We represent plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of high-stakes business matters across Orange County and Southern California. Our trial experience spans:
- Complex commercial litigation
- Breach of contract disputes
- Partnership and shareholder disputes
- Corporate fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
- Real estate and property litigation
- Executive and employment-related business disputes
- Whistleblower and qui tam matters under the False Claims Act
For matters involving breach of contract or partnership conflict specifically, visit our Orange County Business Litigation Attorneys page for a full breakdown of our dispute representation practice.
State and Federal Court Experience Throughout California
Business disputes in Orange County can land in Orange County Superior Court, the Central District of California federal court, or before a private arbitration panel. Our attorneys have tried cases across all of these venues and understand how to build and present a case effectively in each forum.
That cross-venue experience matters. Federal court operates differently than state court. Arbitration requires a different strategy than jury trial. We tailor our approach to the forum, not the other way around.
Trial Readiness Changes How the Other Side Behaves
One of the most practical advantages of working with a true trial firm is what it does to the opposing side's calculus. When opposing counsel knows your attorneys have a genuine track record in the courtroom, their clients become more reasonable at the negotiating table. The threat of trial only has leverage when the other side believes you will follow through.
Our clients benefit from that leverage at every stage of a dispute, from the first demand letter through mediation and, when necessary, through verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions: Orange County Trial Lawyers
What is the difference between a trial lawyer and a business litigation attorney?
All trial lawyers handle litigation, but not all litigation attorneys are true trial lawyers. A trial lawyer is one who regularly takes cases through to verdict in front of a judge or jury rather than resolving everything through settlement or arbitration. At Kimura London & White LLP, our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases to completion in California state and federal courts. That depth of courtroom experience shapes how we approach every case from the very beginning.
When does a business dispute actually go to trial?
Most disputes settle before trial, but settlement is not always the right outcome. Cases go to trial when the parties cannot reach a reasonable agreement, when the principle at stake is more important than the economics of settlement, or when one side is simply unwilling to negotiate in good faith. Having trial-ready counsel from the start means you are never forced into a bad settlement simply because your attorneys are not prepared to go further.
Do you handle both plaintiff and defendant cases?
Yes. We represent both plaintiffs pursuing claims and defendants protecting against them. Our trial experience on both sides of the courtroom gives us a strategic advantage regardless of which position our client is in.
What courts do your trial attorneys practice in?
Our attorneys practice in Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles Superior Court, the Central District of California federal court, and before private arbitration panels throughout Southern California. We have tried cases across all of these venues and understand the procedural and strategic differences each one requires.
How do I know if my dispute needs a trial lawyer versus general legal counsel?
If your dispute involves significant financial exposure, a relationship that has broken down beyond repair, or an adversary who is not negotiating in good faith, you need trial-ready counsel involved from the beginning. Even if your matter ultimately settles, having attorneys with real trial experience shapes the entire arc of the dispute in your favor.
For ongoing legal advisory work and dispute prevention, visit our Orange County Corporate Counsel page.
Your Business Deserves Trial Lawyers Who Are Ready to Go the Distance
When the outcome of a dispute will define the future of your business, you need attorneys who are prepared to fight for it in court.
Kimura London & White LLP has the courtroom record, the trial experience, and the commitment to take your case as far as it needs to go.
Call our Irvine office at 949-474-0940 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.