The Los Angeles Business Journal has recognized partner Jason H. Tokoro on its 2026 list of Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys. This marks Jason’s sixth consecutive year of being recognized among the standout minority attorneys in the Los Angeles region.
Jason is a trial lawyer with significant experience representing public and private entities in state and federal courts. He has extensive experience handling high-stakes, high-profile matters for an elite roster of clients across the entertainment, sports, real estate, government, and financial sectors, with a diverse practice spanning commercial disputes, civil rights, employment, intellectual property, malpractice, and complex business litigation. As outside counsel to the County of Los Angeles, he manages the County’s most sensitive and complex cases, often involving public policy and multimillion-dollar exposures. His notable successes include securing a summary-judgment ruling for L.A. County in a high-profile collective action lawsuit (a California Top Defense Verdict), obtaining a published decision from the Second District Court of Appeal in a pandemic-related lawsuit, and winning a $3.4 million jury verdict on behalf of California Bank & Trust while defeating $35 million in cross-claims.
Jason secured two major victories for L.A. County in litigation brought by former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Villanueva sought $25 million over alleged defamation, emotional distress, and constitutional violations arising from a “Do Not Rehire” notation placed in his personnel file after an investigation substantiated harassment complaints. The federal court twice dismissed his claims—most recently granting summary judgment in May 2025—upholding the County’s investigation, finding no constitutional violations, and awarding the County $60,000 in costs. After that loss, Villanueva refiled in state court, where the County responded with an anti-SLAPP motion and demurrer to the complaint. On November 19, 2025, Judge Gary D. Roberts granted the anti-SLAPP motion and dismissed all state-law claims, holding that the County’s statements were protected speech and that Villanueva failed to show even “minimal merit.” As a result, the County is entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees and costs for the motion.
He is representing L.A. County in two high-profile fraud actions. The first is a landmark lawsuit exposing a multi-year bribery and kickback scheme involving a former senior County official and five major real estate developers, who allegedly diverted hundreds of millions in public funds through bribes exchanged for favorable long-term County leases. After intervening in a related federal qui tam case, Jason expanded the scope and potential recovery, pursuing California False Claims Act and Government Code §1090 claims to void dozens of leases and recover hundreds of millions for taxpayers. He recently defeated five motions to dismiss, and trial is set for April 2026. The second case, against two former officials, Tel/Pro Voice and Data, Inc., and several national prime contractors, alleges millions in fraudulent losses arising from a long-running scheme to enrich themselves at the County’s expense. Jason defeated the defendants’ demurrers, and trial is set for July 2026.
Jason is defending the Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino in major institutional-reform class actions challenging the administration of their child-welfare systems, cases that raise significant federalism and constitutional questions with the potential to shape Ninth Circuit law.
Jason also successfully defended L.A. County against multiple claims brought by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies alleging Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) violations, whistleblower retaliation, harassment, discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress by an LASD subgroup known as the “Banditos.” In one case, the matter settled after the first day of trial in September 2024. In another involving deputies at the East Los Angeles Station, the court granted the County’s summary judgment motion in part, significantly narrowing the claims, and the case was favorably resolved through mediation shortly before trial.
A dedicated advocate for diversity, public service, and community engagement, Jason is an active member of the California Minority Counsel Program and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He serves on the boards of the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA), the Alzheimer’s Association Young Professionals Committee, and the Young Professionals Council for Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles. He also volunteers with Los Angeles–based nonprofits including After-School All-Stars, Big Sunday, Reading to Kids, and Midnight Mission.