Partner
Recognized as one of the best litigators in the country, Julia Strickland leads a broad national practice that focuses on the defense of class actions and other complex actions. Julia is regularly called by world-renowned financial services companies and others when they are confronted with issues that put them at substantial economic and reputational risk. She is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office and head of the firm’s national Financial Services Litigation, Regulation and Enforcement Group.
In addition to her vast experience successfully representing clients through dispositive motion practice, trial and/or appeal, Julia has a deserved reputation for negotiating and structuring settlements of complex and class actions. She is versatile and creative in addressing settlement considerations, both legal and business, and in developing settlement structure options tailored to the client’s unique needs. She also routinely represents companies in compliance counseling, regulatory proceedings and responding to claims by federal and state regulators and enforcement authorities. Julia’s client list is a “Who’s Who” of financial companies, including American Express, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Discover, Citigroup, BMW Financial Services and Synchrony Bank, among others.
Julia repeatedly has been recognized as a leader in the field. Julia once again received top honors in Chambers USA 2022 with a Band 1 ranking in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance Litigation–Nationwide category. According to Chambers, “She is one of the pioneers in this space.” She is one of only three attorneys across the country to receive this recognition. In addition, for more than 16 years running, the Los Angeles Daily Journal has continuously named Julia one of California’s “Top Women Lawyers.” She also was selected by Law360 as a Banking MVP, joining an elite slate of only six lawyers nationally who have distinguished themselves from their peers. The Los Angeles Business Journal honored Julia in 2019 and 2020 as one of its “Leaders of Influence: Top Litigators & Trial Lawyers,” named her one of the “Top Women Attorneys in Los Angeles” in 2018, 2019 and 2020, named her as one of the “Most Influential People” in 2020 and 2021, recognized her as one of the “Women of Influence” in 2021, and featured her in its “Leaders in Law,” where she was awarded the publication’s “Lawyers of the Year” honors in 2016 and 2017. Julia was recognized by leading corporate counsel as a member of the BTI Consulting Group’s “Client Services All-Stars” for her “uncanny ability to anticipate opposing counsel,” as well as being “very customer focused and practical.” She additionally has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, the Los Angeles Times and The Best Lawyers in America.
In addition to her professional achievements, Julia is actively involved in arts organizations, notably serving as a board member of Center Dance Arts, Abraham.in.Motion, American Dance Movement and USC Kaufman School of Dance.
Some of Ms. Strickland's recent representations include:
Counseling multiple clients on pandemic-related matters, including development and implementation of both voluntary and legally mandated programs to assist customers facing financial hardship; interpretation and application of federal, state and local public health orders; and defense of litigation against a major financial services company arising from Payment Protection Program loans.
Lead defense counsel for American Express, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Discover, Synchrony and BMW Financial Services, among others, in multiple class and individual actions alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), as well as actions challenging various collections practices.
Successfully represented two major banks in multiple putative class actions and individual cases, all pending in Hawaii state and district courts and arising out of mortgage foreclosures between 2008 and 2011 as a result of the financial crisis. Successfully negotiated confidential settlements for all individual cases, as well as all the putative class claims, in a hostile jurisdiction.
Prevailed on summary judgment in favor of BMW Financial Services, defeating a putative class action alleging over $40 million in potential damages under the TCPA. The order provides valuable support to defendants’ efforts to defeat claims based on the unauthorized conduct of third party vendors.
In important rulings under California law, successfully compelled arbitration in multiple putative consumer class actions, including against JPMorgan Chase and Citibank, challenging the banks’ practices with respect to disclosures in connection with deposit accounts, defeating claims that the relief sought was “public injunctive relief.”
On an issue of first impression and of importance to retail banks, prevailed on appeal following partial summary judgment on a claim under California’s Identity Theft Act. The Ninth Circuit held that the Identity Theft Act does not apply to claims involving a deposit account because the defendant bank was not a “claimant” under the Act.
In a cutting-edge decision, on a motion to dismiss, the court adopted Stroock’s argument on behalf of HSBC restricting statutory damages for pre-2017 violations of California's call recording statute to per action as opposed to per violation, dramatically reducing the value of the alleged claim.
Prevailed at trial on behalf of a major real estate investment fund in a complex real estate dispute regarding ownership of a major hotel. The court earlier granted summary judgment defeating plaintiff’s fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in class action brought against PayPal and eBay and thereafter successfully negotiated a nationwide settlement involving over 100 million PayPal account holders in the U.S. The settlement received final approval, after more than four years of contentious litigation with numerous objectors over the settlement terms.
Defeated class certification on behalf of JPMorgan Chase in action for violations of various California consumer protection laws in connection with the purchase of Retail Installment Sales Contracts from California automobile dealers.
Obtained a favorable ruling after a two-week bench trial in a case alleging violations of California’s call recording statute. The court decided in HSBC’s favor, finding no basis for liability whatsoever.
Successfully negotiated a settlement with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, resolving an investigation pending for more than four years into a mortgage servicer’s practices concerning pre-foreclosure property preservation and inspection services, title and valuation services, and services related to lender-placed insurance.
Ms. Strickland frequently speaks on the topics of complex litigation and financial services. From 1997 through 2018, Ms. Strickland has co-chaired the Annual Consumer Financial Services Institute for the Practising Law Institute. She also regularly speaks at PLI’s Class Action Litigation Institute. Ms. Strickland also has been a Guest Lecturer at UCLA Law School on the topic, "Negotiating and Drafting a Class Action Settlement Agreement." She regularly speaks to professional and trade groups, as well as to government bodies. Additional recent presentations include:
Ms. Strickland has authored a wide range of publications. Most recent selections include:
Quoted in:
California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California; U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; California Supreme Court; U.S. Supreme Court
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1978
B.A., University of California - San Diego, 1975
Recognized as one of the best litigators in the country, Julia Strickland leads a broad national practice that focuses on the defense of class actions and other complex actions. Julia is regularly called by world-renowned financial services companies and others when they are confronted with issues that put them at substantial economic and reputational risk. She is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office and head of the firm’s national Financial Services Litigation, Regulation and Enforcement Group.
In addition to her vast experience successfully representing clients through dispositive motion practice, trial and/or appeal, Julia has a deserved reputation for negotiating and structuring settlements of complex and class actions. She is versatile and creative in addressing settlement considerations, both legal and business, and in developing settlement structure options tailored to the client’s unique needs. She also routinely represents companies in compliance counseling, regulatory proceedings and responding to claims by federal and state regulators and enforcement authorities. Julia’s client list is a “Who’s Who” of financial companies, including American Express, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Discover, Citigroup, BMW Financial Services and Synchrony Bank, among others.
Julia repeatedly has been recognized as a leader in the field. Julia once again received top honors in Chambers USA 2022 with a Band 1 ranking in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance Litigation–Nationwide category. According to Chambers, “She is one of the pioneers in this space.” She is one of only three attorneys across the country to receive this recognition. In addition, for more than 16 years running, the Los Angeles Daily Journal has continuously named Julia one of California’s “Top Women Lawyers.” She also was selected by Law360 as a Banking MVP, joining an elite slate of only six lawyers nationally who have distinguished themselves from their peers. The Los Angeles Business Journal honored Julia in 2019 and 2020 as one of its “Leaders of Influence: Top Litigators & Trial Lawyers,” named her one of the “Top Women Attorneys in Los Angeles” in 2018, 2019 and 2020, named her as one of the “Most Influential People” in 2020 and 2021, recognized her as one of the “Women of Influence” in 2021, and featured her in its “Leaders in Law,” where she was awarded the publication’s “Lawyers of the Year” honors in 2016 and 2017. Julia was recognized by leading corporate counsel as a member of the BTI Consulting Group’s “Client Services All-Stars” for her “uncanny ability to anticipate opposing counsel,” as well as being “very customer focused and practical.” She additionally has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, the Los Angeles Times and The Best Lawyers in America.
In addition to her professional achievements, Julia is actively involved in arts organizations, notably serving as a board member of Center Dance Arts, Abraham.in.Motion, American Dance Movement and USC Kaufman School of Dance.
Some of Ms. Strickland's recent representations include:
Counseling multiple clients on pandemic-related matters, including development and implementation of both voluntary and legally mandated programs to assist customers facing financial hardship; interpretation and application of federal, state and local public health orders; and defense of litigation against a major financial services company arising from Payment Protection Program loans.
Lead defense counsel for American Express, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Discover, Synchrony and BMW Financial Services, among others, in multiple class and individual actions alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), as well as actions challenging various collections practices.
Successfully represented two major banks in multiple putative class actions and individual cases, all pending in Hawaii state and district courts and arising out of mortgage foreclosures between 2008 and 2011 as a result of the financial crisis. Successfully negotiated confidential settlements for all individual cases, as well as all the putative class claims, in a hostile jurisdiction.
Prevailed on summary judgment in favor of BMW Financial Services, defeating a putative class action alleging over $40 million in potential damages under the TCPA. The order provides valuable support to defendants’ efforts to defeat claims based on the unauthorized conduct of third party vendors.
In important rulings under California law, successfully compelled arbitration in multiple putative consumer class actions, including against JPMorgan Chase and Citibank, challenging the banks’ practices with respect to disclosures in connection with deposit accounts, defeating claims that the relief sought was “public injunctive relief.”
On an issue of first impression and of importance to retail banks, prevailed on appeal following partial summary judgment on a claim under California’s Identity Theft Act. The Ninth Circuit held that the Identity Theft Act does not apply to claims involving a deposit account because the defendant bank was not a “claimant” under the Act.
In a cutting-edge decision, on a motion to dismiss, the court adopted Stroock’s argument on behalf of HSBC restricting statutory damages for pre-2017 violations of California's call recording statute to per action as opposed to per violation, dramatically reducing the value of the alleged claim.
Prevailed at trial on behalf of a major real estate investment fund in a complex real estate dispute regarding ownership of a major hotel. The court earlier granted summary judgment defeating plaintiff’s fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in class action brought against PayPal and eBay and thereafter successfully negotiated a nationwide settlement involving over 100 million PayPal account holders in the U.S. The settlement received final approval, after more than four years of contentious litigation with numerous objectors over the settlement terms.
Defeated class certification on behalf of JPMorgan Chase in action for violations of various California consumer protection laws in connection with the purchase of Retail Installment Sales Contracts from California automobile dealers.
Obtained a favorable ruling after a two-week bench trial in a case alleging violations of California’s call recording statute. The court decided in HSBC’s favor, finding no basis for liability whatsoever.
Successfully negotiated a settlement with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, resolving an investigation pending for more than four years into a mortgage servicer’s practices concerning pre-foreclosure property preservation and inspection services, title and valuation services, and services related to lender-placed insurance.
Ms. Strickland frequently speaks on the topics of complex litigation and financial services. From 1997 through 2018, Ms. Strickland has co-chaired the Annual Consumer Financial Services Institute for the Practising Law Institute. She also regularly speaks at PLI’s Class Action Litigation Institute. Ms. Strickland also has been a Guest Lecturer at UCLA Law School on the topic, "Negotiating and Drafting a Class Action Settlement Agreement." She regularly speaks to professional and trade groups, as well as to government bodies. Additional recent presentations include:
Ms. Strickland has authored a wide range of publications. Most recent selections include:
Quoted in:
California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California; U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; California Supreme Court; U.S. Supreme Court
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1978
B.A., University of California - San Diego, 1975
