Janlynn Robinson Fleener

Representative Complex Litigation and Class Action Experience

• Lead litigation counsel for global manufacturer of infant and toddler car seats in defense of putative California and nationwide class actions alleging unfair and fraudulent business practices and false advertising, in connection with marketing of car seats as eco-friendly. Case settled favorably for client.
• Lead litigation and appellate counsel for shopping center owner in defense of class action suit filed by group of tenants for fraud, unfair and deceptive business practices, and breach of contract; trial court’s denial of class certification, based on failure to show common issues of fact or law, was upheld on appeal.
• Lead litigation counsel for large California credit union in defense of putative class action challenging debit card overdraft practices and violation of consumer lending regulations. Case settled favorably while client’s motion for summary judgment was pending.
• Defended large California financial institution in multi-million-dollar breach of contract case filed by software vendor after client terminated contract for non-performance; at mediation, vendor dismissed case in its entirety.
• Authored successful appellate brief (affirmed) defending against class action claims of unfair business practices under California’s Unruh Act and Unfair Competition Law.
• Lead litigation counsel for plaintiff seeking to recover investment in what was eventually exposed as a $27M Ponzi scheme.  Received substantial arbitration award, including punitive damages, and client was likely the only investor who ever recovered. Defendants were criminally indicted and are now serving 17-year sentences.
• Trial counsel for developers defending against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty based on alleged joint venture agreement to purchase substantial piece of investment and development property. After three-week jury trial, jury rendered complete defense verdict in favor of clients.
• Successfully handled litigation as lead banking attorney on behalf of bank agent against former officer who misappropriated bank’s technology and trade secrets. Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction at the outset of case requiring former officer to return bank’s intellectual property.

Representative Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental Litigation

• Trial counsel for individual plaintiff suing to enforce agreement for purchase of undeveloped property in Amador County. Obtained jury verdict after trial in excess of $1M, plus punitive damages in favor of client. Verdict also required defendants to honor contract and sell 240 acres of property to client.
• Litigation counsel for property developer sued by adjoining landowner for actions related to pursuit of development entitlements from County of Placer. Obtained dismissal of suit in its entirety at outset of case under California’s Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (“anti-SLAPP”) statute, based on client’s constitutional free speech and public participation rights. Dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
• Trial counsel for water district in southern California seeking to enforce contractual water rights against upstream users. After five-week trial in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, court ruled that upstream user had committed bad faith breach of contract.
• Litigation counsel for property owners and alleged hazardous waste generators defending against claims under CERCLA and RCRA, among others, based on groundwater contamination. Case filed in federal court (Northern District of California) was settled favorably for clients after court dismissed majority of claims against clients on summary judgment.
• Trial counsel for commercial and residential developer seeking enforcement of easement rights against adjacent property owners. Jury rendered verdict in favor of client on interpretation of easement running over adjacent property owners’ property.
• Trial counsel for major land developer in action seeking petition for writ of mandamus against City of Chico to enjoin City’s attempt to require client to prepare supplemental environmental impact report. Obtained alternative writ at outset of case, staying any action by City pending trial.  Court granted writ in favor of client after trial.

Announcements

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Speaking Engagements / Events

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Publications

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At a young age, Jan decided she was either going to be a lawyer or an artist.  She obviously chose the law, but practicing with Downey Brand allows her to indulge her artistic side and stay connected to the arts. Jan has volunteered and participated with many local arts organizations over the years, including the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento’s volunteer program, Business Volunteers for the Arts, and the Crocker Art Museum’s Art Service Group. In addition, Jan puts her Art History degree to good use by serving on the firm’s Art Committee.

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Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

• Robert & Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis, Board Chair, 2019-present; Board Member since 2015
• American Leadership Forum, Mountain Valley Chapter, Class XX, 2016-2017; Senior Fellow, 2017-present
• Sacramento Go Red for Women, Executive Leadership, 2014-2019
• California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section, 1993-present
• Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Former Member
• Business Volunteers for the Arts, Former Member

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Honors & Rankings

• Sacramento Business Journal, Power 100 – Banking & Professional Services, 2024
• Best Lawyers in America^©, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
• Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento 300 Honoree – the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Sacramento, 2020
• Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Appellate, Banking & Financial Services, Banking & Finance Litigation, Business Litigation, Commercial Litigation, General Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, 2015-2022
• Sacramento Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2016-2018
• Clerkship, Honorable LaDoris H. Cordell, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, 1992-1993