Dylan Ruga
Partner | Trial Lawyer
Dylan is a renowned trial lawyer specializing in complex litigation, recognized as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” for over a decade.
Known for his tenacity and professionalism, Dylan has built a reputation as a dedicated advocate who consistently achieves results by outworking and outmaneuvering his opponents. He has been recognized as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” every year from 2009-2022, an honor awarded to no more than 2.5% of lawyers in California.
Dylan is certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in legal malpractice law, a distinction held by fewer than one-tenth of one percent of lawyers in Los Angeles County.
Notable Wins/Settlements & Verdicts:
- Michael Farhat v. Jaguar Land Rover North America: Lead counsel for the surviving husband and children of a woman who was run over and killed by her own 2018 Range Rover. The lawsuit alleged that the vehicle was defectively designed due to a confusing gear selector and the absence of a simple safety device to prevent the vehicle from moving if the driver exited without placing it in Park. The case settled for a confidential amount.
- Phillips v. AvantGarde Senior Living: Trial counsel for an elderly plaintiff who suffered a broken neck and related injuries due to nursing home neglect. The jury awarded a $5,500,000 verdict.
- Stretch Lab Franchise, LLC v. Stretch Lab LLC: Successfully defeated a TRO and represented the founders of a franchise in a breach of contract and trademark infringement action.
- Shulman, et al. v. Chaitman, et al.: Successfully represented individuals in claims against a lawyer and law firms for conflicts of interest arising from the Bernie Madoff fallout.
- Reserve Media, Inc. v. Efficient Frontiers, Inc.: Successfully defended a tech startup’s right to use the RESERVE trademark.
- Prime Aid Pharm. Corp. v. Robert Romano, et al.: Successfully defeated the plaintiff’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and defended the company’s right to employ a competitor’s salesperson.
- Victor Santiago v. Hope Int’l Univ., et al.: Successfully represented a former college volleyball coach who was terminated because of his sexual orientation.
- Reinsdorf v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc.: Represented a photographer in copyright infringement claims against Skechers arising from the company’s use of the photographer’s images in its advertisements.
- Solid 21, Inc. v. Breitling USA, Inc.: Defended Breitling against claims of trademark infringement related to the plaintiff’s registered “RED GOLD” mark. The district court dismissed the claims with prejudice, ruling that the plaintiff’s mark was generic and unprotectable as a matter of law, despite achieving “incontestable” status.
- Antounian v. Louis Vuitton Malletier, et al.: Successfully brought an anti-SLAPP motion on behalf of Steptoe clients Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. After this decision was affirmed on appeal, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior were awarded their attorneys’ fees.
- Aversano v. Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Defended Greenberg Traurig against several claims, including civil RICO. The district court dismissed the RICO claim with prejudice, concluding the claim was barred by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA).
- OGM, Inc. v. Televisa, S.A. de C.V.: Created new law regarding service of process on Mexican residents under the Hague Convention by successfully convincing the court that the U.S. State Department’s website was inaccurate and that all other cases on the subject were mistaken.
- Larin Corp. v. Alltrade Inc., et al.: Defended Alltrade Inc. against claims of trade dress and false advertising. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Alltrade.
- Textile Secrets Int’l, Inc. v. Ya-Ya Brand, Inc.: Defended Ya-Ya Brand, Inc. in a copyright infringement case. The district court granted summary judgment regarding the interpretation of a section of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), an issue of first impression in the Ninth Circuit.
More About Dylan
Raised in San Francisco, Dylan attended college in Ohio, where he excelled both academically and athletically, playing varsity football and baseball. After returning to California, he graduated in the top 10% of his class at UCLA Law School, where he served as a Senior Editor of the UCLA Law Review.
Dylan began his legal career in the chambers of a federal judge in Southern California, gaining valuable insights into effective advocacy from the judicial perspective. He then transitioned into private practice, starting as a litigation associate at Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP, and later at Steptoe & Johnson LLP. In 2013, Dylan became an equity partner at Steptoe before founding Stalwart Law Group in 2016.
Community Involvement:
Dylan is committed to advocating for consumer rights and supporting the legal community. He currently serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Consumer Attorneys of California and the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities.
When not practicing law, Dylan enjoys spending time with his wife and two children or cheering for the San Francisco 49ers.
Contact Information
- 310-954-2000 ext. 700
- dylan@stalwartlaw.com
Education
- Oberlin College, B.A.
- UCLA School of Law, J.D., graduated in top 10% of class, Senior Editor of UCLA Law Review
Awards & Honors
- Los Angeles Times Legal Visionary: Business of Law, 2024
- Certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in legal malpractice law
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 civil plaintiff attorneys in California
- Named one of the 30 most influential intellectual property attorneys in LA by the Los Angeles Business Journal (2017)
- Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” IP Litigation, 2009-2021
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), Board of Governors, 2017-2021
- Los Angeles Copyright Society, Member, 2015-present
- Vice-Chair, Copyright Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association, 2010-2011
- Law Clerk, Honorable James V. Selna, US District Court for the Central District of California, 2004-2005
- Judicial Extern, Honorable Jeremy Fogel, US District Court for the Northern District of California, 2002
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2024
Professional Affiliations
Selected publications
- May 2014
Self-driving Cars Chauffeur a Load of Legal Issues - July 2013, Daily Journal
9th Circuit’s handling of Dukes - July 2009, Daily Journal
Performance Anxiety
- February 2009, Landslide
The PRO-IP Act: Another Weapon Against a Failing Economy - July 2008, Los Angeles Daily Journal
Piece of Fake - December 2006, Los Angeles Daily Journal
Zankou Chicken Ruling Leaves a Confusing Mark
Speaking Engagements
- CAOC Annual Convention – San Francisco, CA – November 16, 2024 – (Depositions: Never Miss an Opportunity to Win Your Case During Discovery)
- Law-Di-Gras – Carlsbad, CA – October 25, 2024 – (Case Management & AI)
- ALM|Law.Com – April 10, 2024 – (Spend Management Innovations: Driving Change in Business of Law)
- Clio Virtual Summit – March 19, 2024 (Power Your Firm with the Latest Technology)
- Justice HQ MCLExtravaganza – January 10, 2024 (CTAPP: One Year Later)
- Bootstrapped Solo Podcast – October 25, 2023 (From Litigation to Innovation)
- Beverly Hills Bar Association – June 26, 2023 – (Best Practices for Mastering Depositions)
- TBI Med Legal Conference – San Diego, CA – March 11, 2023 (Bulletproof Strategies for Depositions)
- Law-Di-Gras – Carlsbad, CA – July 16, 2022 (Walk This Way – A Deposition Workshop)
- TBI Med Legal’s Web Jam – Los Angeles, CA – May 19, 2022 (Depositions Masterclass)