Director & Officer Litigation Attorneys

Last updated on June 3, 2026

Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP represents clients in Orange County and throughout the state in director and officer (D&O) litigation. Whether the claim for liability is made against a director of a private corporation or an officer in a public corporation, we have the sophisticated legal knowledge and trial skill necessary to successfully resolve our clients’ concerns.

Our accomplished team of business litigation attorneys has garnered numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts for clients. Of equal or greater importance, Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP has earned a highly respected reputation for vigorously and intelligently protecting our clients’ interests. Multiple lawyers at our firm have achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV Preeminent,* and have been selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers magazine.

Addressing A Wide Array Of D&O Disputes

Within D&O litigation, we handle cases involving:

• Abuse of influence claims
• Breach of fiduciary duty, including self-dealing and fraudulent transfers
• Business judgment rules
• Excessive compensation claims
• Shareholder and partnership disputes
• Usurping corporate opportunities
• Other disputes related to director or officer liability

Ownership Of Outcomes In Executive Defense

Allegations against a director or officer do more than threaten a balance sheet. They can damage careers, strain professional relationships and place years of hard-earned credibility under scrutiny. When fiduciary duty claims, shareholder disputes or accusations of self-interest emerge, the stakes are often deeply personal.

At Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP, we are not a litigation mill that simply processes cases while reputations remain at risk. We take ownership of outcomes and approach every matter with a clear understanding of what is on the line for our clients. Our attorneys bring sophisticated litigation capabilities, extensive trial experience and the resources necessary to confront complex business disputes.

We apply a justice-driven approach to executive defense. That means carefully analyzing the facts, exposing weak allegations and building a strategic response designed to dismantle claims of bad faith, self-dealing or misappropriated corporate opportunities. Whether the dispute arises in a closely held company or a major corporate structure, our focus remains on protecting both the client and the legacy they have worked to build.

Navigating The Complexities Of Fiduciary Liability

Director and officer litigation often centers on allegations that challenge a leader’s judgment, integrity or business decisions. These cases require more than technical legal knowledge. They require attorneys prepared to defend leadership decisions in high-pressure environments.

Our firm handles disputes involving:

• Business judgment rule claims: Corporate leaders must often make difficult decisions with incomplete information. We use the protections afforded by the business judgment rule to defend executives who acted in good faith and in the best interests of the organization.
• Abuse of influence and self-dealing allegations: These claims frequently become reputational attacks aimed at undermining confidence in leadership. We build aggressive, trial-ready defenses designed to challenge unsupported accusations and protect our clients’ standing.
• Breach of fiduciary duty disputes: Claims involving loyalty, care or conflicts of interest require detailed factual and financial analysis. We work to demonstrate when fiduciary obligations were met and corporate responsibilities were properly discharged.
• Excessive compensation claims: Executive compensation often becomes a target during shareholder disputes. We defend market-based compensation decisions by presenting the business rationale, governance procedures and performance considerations supporting those arrangements.
• Shareholder, partnership and corporate opportunity disputes: We represent directors, officers, shareholders and business leaders in complex conflicts involving ownership interests, governance rights and allegations of diverted opportunities.

Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP provides the responsive advocacy and sophisticated business litigation representation necessary to protect both professional reputations and long-term business interests.

Promptly Responding To Client Concerns

D&O litigation can be very demanding, and the success of a client’s case can easily depend on how quickly and effectively the client’s attorney responds to urgent situations. Our litigation team is committed to our clients’ cases 24/7, and we are able to respond to critical concerns at a moment’s notice.

To learn more about our services, or to arrange a consultation about director and officer litigation in California, call Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP at 888-714-1738 or contact our Irvine or Westlake Village offices online.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.