As a litigator, I think several steps ahead, keeping the client’s preferred outcome at the forefront. I believe in being proactive to help clients avoid litigation whenever possible or to resolve matters efficiently. I work to minimize disruption to their businesses, prevent future disputes over the same issue, and ensure the resolution aligns with their long-term business goals. It’s about finding the solution that makes the most sense not just for today but for the future as well.

With nearly 20 years of legal experience in California, Ronald Valenzuela is a trusted partner for the companies he represents. He has a proven history of successfully representing Fortune 100 companies in a variety of industries, including a specialization in the tort/environmental practice area that includes:

  • Aerospace
  • Consumer products
  • Energy
  • Pharmaceutical

Ronald provides clients customized legal strategies that safeguard their interests and minimize risks. He has a proven history of successfully handling a wide range of legal matters, including defending against Proposition 65 (Prop 65), also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. His practice includes:

  • Commercial litigation
  • Consumer class actions
  • Environmental law
  • Insurance recovery and counseling
  • Mass tort
  • Product liability
  • Toxic tort

Clients benefit from his ability to skillfully navigate overlapping legal areas, ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges posed by California’s rigorous regulatory landscape.

Ronald handles large-scale environmental and product claims and complex property and business interruption losses. He provides critical guidance on intricate underwriting and risk management matters, advising clients on insurance policy terms and audits to help them avoid costly errors and optimize coverage. His work with biotechnology companies on product liability and insurance matters tied to clinical trials further illustrates his support to clients in innovative, highly regulated industries.

Ronald also represents clients in a wide range of class actions. Whether defending against consumer fraud claims or navigating environmental liabilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), he is a proven litigator who has secured favorable outcomes at both the trial and appellate levels.

When asked…

Why did you become a lawyer?

I became an attorney because it allows me to do what I do best. I’ve always been a critical thinker and problem solver, and I find writing satisfying. Practicing law fuels my intellectual curiosity while allowing me to help people through challenging situations.

Areas of Focus

Services

Experience

  • Major consumer-electronics firm in defense of numerous nationwide class actions alleging product defect, unfair competition, misrepresentation and false advertising
  • Former defense contractor in toxic tort case involving alleged personal injuries and property damage resulting from exposure to toxic substances through air dispersal and groundwater contamination
  • Fortune 500 mortgage lender in putative nationwide class action lawsuit alleging unfair business and trade practices
  • Fortune 500 food processing company sued under Prop 65 alleging that defendants failed to provide adequate warnings regarding presence of acrylamide in food products
  • Counseled consumer products manufacturer regarding ways to mitigate against risk of Prop 65 litigation and enforcement actions
  • Consumer product and e-commerce retailer in defense against threatened litigation involving alleged failure to provide adequate warnings under Prop 65
  • Cumis counsel for biomedical company sued by clinical trial participant alleging personal injuries
  • Global medical technology company in identifying proper insurance product for liability arising from clinical trials of medical device (surgical implant) and in negotiating policy coverage terms
  • International organization established at the initiative of the United Nations under the Vienna Convention concerning risk management and insurance issues arising from foreign clinical trials
  • Biomedical company as national coordinating counsel in multi-district litigation involving personal injury claims brought by clinical trial participants
  • Chemical manufacturer in defense of products liability and toxic tort actions involving alleged personal injuries resulting from workplace exposure to products supplied by manufacturer
  • Major beverage and bottling company in environmental action brought under CERCLA by municipal government for contamination in Port of Los Angeles
  • Association of aerospace, industrial manufacturing, entertainment, healthcare, defense contractor, technology and manufacturing companies, including Fortune 100 companies, in environmental litigation seeking cost recovery, contribution, and injunctive relief under CERCLA and RCRA against dozens of entities alleged to have contributed to groundwater contamination in Southern California
  • Fortune 500 petroleum and petrochemical company in prosecuting multimillion-dollar lawsuit for business interruption insurance coverage
  • Software company in prosecuting lawsuit for stop-loss insurance coverage for employee prescription drug costs

Credentials

Education

  • University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 2000)
  • University of California - Los Angeles (B.A., 1996)

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Publications

  • Co-Author, The Potentially Far-Reaching Impact of Fluor, Daily Journal, November 2014
  • Co-Author, Stacking Insurance Coverage in California, Law360, September 2012
  • Co-Author, The Global Impact of Japan's Disasters, Law360, March 2011

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Diversity in the Profession Committee

Community Involvement

  • UCLA Alumni Association, Bruin Professionals Network