Jason H. Tokoro

Partner

jtokoro@millerbarondess.com 310.552.5226 vCard Print Bio

Education

J.D., Order of the Coif, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Externship

Honorable Dean D. Pregerson, U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Admissions

California

Partner

Biography

Jason is a complex commercial litigator with extensive experience in the entertainment, professional sports, real estate, and financial industries. He has represented a multitude of movie studios, one of the leading home builders in the nation, and a variety of pro-sports companies.

Jason received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2007, Order of the Coif. During law school, he was a Supervising Editor of the Berkeley Business Law Journal. Jason graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Political Science.

Prior to joining Miller Barondess, Jason was litigation counsel at a large, international firm in its Business Trial and Litigation practice group. He also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Dean D. Pregerson of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Notable Representations

Represented the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Los Angeles County Fire Department in an 11-day federal jury trial involving photographs taken by County personnel following the tragic helicopter crash that killed nine individuals, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter.
Defended the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in several lawsuits relating to claims of retaliation, discrimination, and hostile work environment caused by deputy “subgroups,” including the Banditos.
Defended the County of Los Angeles and its Board of Supervisors against numerous lawsuits challenging the County’s enforcement of Governor Newsom’s emergency health orders amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, including contact-tracing, stay-at-home orders, and orders restricting indoor and outdoor activities.
Represented the founder of the Ace brand of boutique hotels in a 5-day jury trial against his former attorney for legal malpractice relating to the negotiation and drafting of an investor deal.
Obtained a jury verdict for $3.4 million for California Bank & Trust and defeated cross-claims seeking over $35 million in damages for breach of contract, fraud, and negligence.
Secured a blockbuster ruling for Warner Bros. and DC Comics in a complex intellectual property and contract action involving the rights to Superman, allowing the studio to continue using the comic book character going forward.
Represented Lennar Corporation, a Fortune 500 land development company, in multiple matters including:
- Secured a $54 million judgment for Lennar—the defendant—after a 13-month trial and defeated the plaintiffs’ mismanagement claims totaling more than $200 million;
- Obtained a jury verdict of more than $1 billion in a securities fraud and market manipulation lawsuit on behalf of Lennar;
- Secured a dramatic dismissal of a lawsuit involving a claimed partnership interest on the eve of trial based on admissions by the plaintiff at deposition; and
- Successfully prosecuted malpractice/breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit against Lennar’s prior attorneys.
Obtained favorable settlement for Toll Brothers, a Fortune 500 land development company, in land dispute over alleged easement on property being developed in Porter Ranch, California.
Represented Sony Pictures Entertainment in asserted class action in California state court involving breach of contract and other claims relating to home video distribution of motion pictures.
Secured dismissal on behalf of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), a leading sports and entertainment company, of copyright infringement claims relating to the soundtrack for the motion picture “This Is It,” starring entertainer Michael Jackson.
Obtained favorable settlement for the Brees Dream Foundation, a non-profit charity founded by NFL quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, in the prosecution of a breach of contract and fiduciary duties lawsuit concerning the Foundation’s annual charity golf tournament in San Diego, CA.
Successfully represented boxing promoter Top Rank, boxer Manny Pacquiao, and former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito in various matters, including breach of contract, defamation, and matters before the New York and Nevada State Athletic Commissions.
Obtained favorable settlement for client in elder abuse case involving claims of financial and emotional abuse by client’s step-daughter.
Prevailed in cases before the Department of Justice and Board of Immigration Appeals where clients were facing deportation.
Provided assistance in the research and drafting of the 2008 Report to the National War Powers Commission co-chaired by former Secretaries of States Warren Christopher and James A. Baker.

Honors and Awards

Best Lawyers in America^®Recognized in Commercial Litigation (2024)
Los Angeles Business Journal
Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys (2020-2024)
Leaders of Influence: Litigators and Trial Attorneys (2022)
Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40’s (2021)
Southern California Super Lawyers^® (2023-2024); Rising Stars^® (2017-2019)

Professional Activities

Co-authored a two-part series of articles published in the Daily Journal addressing how today’s work-from-home world has changed how data is created, where it is located, how it is preserved and collected, and the impacts on data privacy and security.
Member, Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Member, California Minority Counsel Program, a non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to promoting diversity in the legal profession by providing attorneys of color with access and opportunity for business and professional development.
Board Member, Alzheimer’s Association’s Young Professionals Committee
Board Member, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association
Board Member, Young Professionals Council for Make-a-Wish, Greater Los Angeles
Volunteer, numerous Los Angeles-based charities, including After-School All-Stars Los Angeles, Big Sunday, Reading to Kids, and Midnight Mission.