William A. Muñoz
1375 Exposition Boulevard,
Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916.565.0300
Fax: 916.565.1636
Admissions
- All state and federal courts in the State of California
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Dispute Resolution Conference Judge for El Dorado County Superior Court
Education
- J.D., Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul., MN, 1997, cum laude; managing editor of the Hamline Law Review
- B.S., Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1991
William A. Muñoz
Shareholder
Mr. Muñoz is a shareholder in the firm's Sacramento office. He practices in state and federal court, primarily focusing on the defense of professionals, including attorneys and real estate appraisers. He counsels his clients on matters such as general liability, as well as defends them in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and wage claims.
Selected Client Representations
Tolentino v. Mossman - Represented real estate appraiser in a securities action by purchasers of investment properties residing in the Eastern District of California. Plaintiffs alleged appraisers had inflated values of investment properties, which were located in Iowa. Successfully had the case transferred to federal district court in Iowa.
Kubat v. Henderson - Represented attorney and law firm in legal malpractice action brought by former client. Client alleged that attorney coerced plaintiffs in settling the underlying elder abuse matter, which resulted in the sale of real property at below-market value. Trial court granted a non-suit in favor of the attorneys and law firm, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal by the Third District Court of Appeal in an unpublished decision.
Young v. Jones & Stephens - Successfully obtained summary judgment for law firm in a legal malpractice action in which plaintiff contended that attorney failed to pursue a serious and willful claim in an underlying workers' compensation matter
American National Property and Casualty v. Mason & Thomas - Second-chaired a legal malpractice action with partner Mark Ellis, in which plaintiff sought $2.5 million in damages. Plaintiff alleged it had been subject to a bad faith claim by its insurer, who was represented by the defendant attorney in an underlying personal injury matter (which ultimately settled for $1.7 million above the policy limits). The plaintiff failed to heed the defendant attorney's advice regarding the possibility of a verdict in excess of the policy limits. After a three-week trial, the jury returned a defense verdict.
Lewis v. Pepper - Represented general contractor in lawsuit by employee of steel subcontractor who fell from second level of building. The trial court granted summary judgment for the general contractor. The matter is currently on appeal.
Torres v. Beltran - Represented real estate appraiser in professional malpractice suit in which plaintiff alleged the appraiser overstated the value of her home in a refinance transaction that enabled a third party to convert cash from the refinance. Trial court sustained the appraiser's demurrer without leave to amend.
Jackson v. Rod Read & Sons - Represent apartment complex owner in lawsuit by former tenant that alleges exposure to mold has caused tenant upper respiratory problems and emotional distress. The trial court granted apartment complex owner's motion for summary judgment. The matter has been fully briefed on appeal and is awaiting a decision.
Professional Contributions
Mr. Muñoz has been a speaker and co-author on employment-related issues for the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, including the March 2008 seminar entitled “Workplace Investigations". He also appeared at Strafford Publishing's July 2008 Security Teleconference, speaking on the subject “Pre-Employment Screening - Effective Policies and Best Practices," in which he addressed the implications of the Fair Credit Reporting Act in pre-employment screening and background checks.
Additionally, Mr. Muñoz spoke on discovery issues before the Continuing Education of the Bar Committee, in a July 2008 presentation entitled “Discovery: Planning, Strategy & Dealing with Abusive Discovery Tactics."
Mr. Muñoz is a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association Labor and Employment Section, and of the American Bar Association Professional Liability Litigation and Employment and Labor Relations Law Committees. He also serves on the Defense Research Institute Professional Liability Committee and Labor and Employment Section, and is a member of the National Association of Defense Counsel for Northern California.