Representative Matters
$240,000,000.00 - City of Riverside v. Rubidoux Community Services District
Contract Dispute
Represented the Rubidoux Community Services District in multi-phase trial and on appeal in a $240M contract dispute over Riverside’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. In October 2023 the Fourth District Court of Appeal (Division 3) reversed a trial court decision and found in favor of Rubidoux, affirming the district’s position.
$1,250,000.00 - Payment
Talbert Channel Oil Spill
Mr. Bobko represented the County of Orange in a complex environmental dispute involving a 2022 oil leak in the Talbert Flood Control Channel in Huntington Beach. The incident occurred when a county contractor, working to enhance the channel’s flood capacity, struck an abandoned Chevron-owned pipeline—prompting an immediate response to contain the release of approximately 60 gallons of oil.
While the containment was swift and effective, a legal dispute arose between the County and Chevron, with each party alleging negligence on the part of the other. Representing the County’s interests, Mr. Bobko helped navigate the negotiations that led to a favorable resolution.
The County secured a $1.25 million settlement from Chevron to reimburse the costs associated with the emergency response.
$950,000.00 - CrossFit Horsepower vs. Hermosa Beach
Takings/Civil Rights/Writ of Mandate
Mr. Bobko represented CrossFit Horsepower in a high-profile legal dispute with the City of Hermosa Beach after the city declared the gym a public nuisance based on alleged neighborhood noise complaints. Following the City claiming the business was a "nuisance" in 2018, CrossFit Horsepower filed lawsuits in both state and federal court, asserting that the City and named officials had acted improperly.
In the state case, the court ruled a city council member was “biased” in her vote against the gym and invalidated the public nuisance declaration. The litigation ultimately concluded in a favorable settlement for the business.
As a result of Mr. Bobko’s representation, CrossFit Horsepower secured a $950,000 settlement from the City of Hermosa Beach.
$800,000+ - Recovered Property and Secured Settlement
Forged Deed
Mr. Bobko successfully represented a client in a complex real estate and probate matter involving a forged deed on a residential property in Long Beach, California.
After the client’s stepmother passed away, ownership of the property transferred into a family trust, with the client serving as trustee. Years later, the police alerted the client to a potentially fraudulent property transfer. Following an in-depth investigation, it was confirmed that the deed had been forged, and the home had been sold without proper authority.
Mr. Bobko and his team acted swiftly, filing suit against the buyer, the individual who perpetrated the fraud, and the buyer’s title insurance company. The litigation spanned multiple legal arenas, including probate court. Ultimately, Mr. Bobko was able to regain rightful title to the property and reach a favorable settlement with the title insurance company—securing more than $800,000 for the client.
Pro Tip from Mr. Bobko: “Always double-check that the deed to your home is properly recorded in your name. Fraudsters are clever, bold, and increasingly active in real estate scams.”
$956,352.00 - Settlement Secured for Orange County in Amplify Oil Spill
Oil Spill Response
Mr. Bobko represented the County of Orange in federal litigation following a major oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, where 25,000 gallons of oil were released into the Pacific Ocean. The County incurred significant costs related to emergency response and environmental cleanup.
Through Mr. Bobko’s legal guidance, the County reached a favorable settlement with Amplify Energy, the operator of the pipeline at the center of the incident. The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to accept $956,352 in reimbursement from the company, effectively covering the County’s expenses and removing it from ongoing federal litigation before U.S. District Judge David Carter.
This outcome protected the County from further liability while ensuring taxpayers were made whole for the costs of responding to the environmental disaster.
City of Santa Ana - Successfully Defends Dispensary Licensing Process in Court
Cannabis Licensing Process
Mr. Bobko represented the City of Santa Ana in a high-profile legal challenge involving the city’s lottery-based process for selecting legal cannabis dispensaries. The plaintiffs—unsuccessful lottery applicants—sought a court order to halt the city from approving licenses, alleging that the lottery was flawed and unfair.
Mr. Bobko successfully defended the City against the request for a preliminary injunction, arguing that the lottery was conducted transparently and within the legal bounds approved by voters through Measure BB. He emphasized that a full vetting process of applicants was still underway and that Santa Ana’s approach was aimed at bringing order to what had been a previously unregulated and chaotic landscape.
Orange County Superior Court Judge David Chaffee denied the injunction request, allowing the city to move forward with the approval process for 20 dispensary licenses. The ruling was a significant step in affirming the city’s authority to implement its regulatory framework.
People v. City of Mission Viejo
Represented the City of Mission Viejo against a lawsuit that would have removed a majority of the city council from office three months before a scheduled election. The Fourth District Court of Appeal (Division 3) issued an emergency stay preventing this from occurring, allowing the scheduled election to proceed.
Vasquez v. City of Pomona
Represented individual police captain in complicated, multi-party employment/tort case. In June 2022, the trial court granted summary judgment to defendant.
City of Moreno Valley v. DeSantis, et al.
Represented former Assistant City Attorney in multiple defendant litigation involving California False Claims Act allegations. The trial court sustained a demurrer without leave.
Injunction for a San Gabriel Valley City
Led a team of attorneys, investigators, and multi-jurisdictional law enforcement personnel in obtaining a “gang injunction” for a San Gabriel Valley city against the DuRoc Crips and Monrovia Nuevo Vario.
Amicus briefs supporting Orange County cities
Authored numerous high-profile amicus briefs supporting Orange County cities including: Barnes v. Superior Court, Huntington Beach, et. al. v. Gavin Newsom, and SoCal Recovery, LLC, et al. v. City of Costa Mesa.