Pooja S. Nair: Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

Overview

Pooja S. Nair is a Partner and Chair of the Food, Beverage and Hospitality Department.

Pooja S. Nair is business litigator with a proven track record of delivering creative, effective, and long-term solutions to complex legal challenges faced by middle-market companies. Known for her ability to handle high-stakes, "bet-the-company" litigation and arbitration, Pooja offers counsel to clients across a diverse range of industries, including consumer products, real estate, and CPG. She also regularly handles sensitive internal investigations, involving fraud, company trade secrets, and embezzlement.

With deep expertise in business and contract disputes, employment issues, intellectual property, and internal investigations (covering fraud, trade secrets, and embezzlement), Pooja helps businesses navigate even the most sensitive and high-pressure situations.

She has published extensively on legal issues for publications including Law360, Daily Journal, Eater, California Lawyer, Food Dive and Bloomberg BNA, and has had been quoted or referenced by The New York Times, MSN Money, Los Angeles Times, Yahoo! News and Reuters.

Before joining ECJ, Pooja led the Food and Beverage practice group at TroyGould and honed her expertise in internal investigations and white-collar defense at Foley & Lardner.

Pooja is also an active community leader, serving on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Music and Arts School and the Harvard Club of Southern California. Recognized by Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the “Most Influential Women Lawyers” and a “Minority Leader of Influence,” Pooja brings a blend of legal expertise, leadership, and a commitment to excellence to every client relationship.

Beyond law, Pooja is passionate about history and appeared as a legal historian on the Travel Channel show Lost Secrets in 2019. She has spoken on Alexander Hamilton’s legal career and Aaron Burr’s treason trial at NerdNite events in Los Angeles and Oakland, as well as at Federal Hall, Hamilton Grange, the Museum of American Finance and Morris-Jumel Mansion.

Representative Matters

Business Litigation

Obtained verdict of $5.5 million after two-week jury trial in a breach of oral contract and theft by false pretenses case.

Represented client a five-week jury trial in an investment fraud matter and obtained a verdict of $20.3 million.

Successfully defended chiropractic practice owner in complicated business divorce with co-founder.

Represented investor in cannabis business in multi-million dollar dispute against operator.

Successfully defended venture-backed entertainment company in partnership dispute brought by co-founder.

Handled breach of contract arbitration for health care consulting firm against hospital system, which settled for full amount demanded.

Successfully defended hospitality business owner as respondent in six day restraining order trial.

Consumer Products/Food and Beverage Practice

Defended international online retailer in California federal class action deceptive pricing case involving strikethrough pricing.

Negotiated a favorable settlement in a contract dispute between a food exporter and its largest international customer, preserving the business relationship while resolving the legal issues.

Defended commercial restaurant group tenant in large lease dispute brought by landlord.

Represented multiple CPG and retail clients in trademark process and handling TTAB actions to prosecute trademark over objections, protecting their brand and intellectual property.

Advised multiple clients in responding to false advertising demand letters and lawsuits in state and federal court.

Employment Issues & Internal Investigations

Successfully handled high stakes employment arbitration defending venture-backed technology company against multimillion dollar claims brought by former executive.

Successfully defended employer in prolonged wrongful termination and whistleblower litigation involving domestic household employees.

Represented real estate developer employer in trade secrets dispute against former executive for theft of proprietary information.

Represented clients across various industries, including international companies with cross-border employees, in handling internal investigations into embezzlement and fraud, collaborating with law enforcement and managing employee terminations.

Conducted sensitive investigation involving harassment allegations against high level executives on behalf of financial services company.

Obtained workplace restraining orders on behalf of employees for multiple clients in the restaurant and retail areas.

Revised employee handbooks, offer letters and employment contracts to ensure compliance with state and federal laws for clients across industries.

Representation of pharmaceutical company in extensive internal investigation into internal complaints regarding drug development to ensure compliance with federal and state law.

Represented financial advisor company in handling internal fraud investigation and subsequent employee termination.

Representation of pharmaceutical company in extensive internal investigation into internal complaints regarding drug development to ensure compliance with federal and state law.

Real Estate Disputes

Obtained verdict of $1.7 million after two-week bench trial regarding fraudulent disclosures made to real estate buyer by seller and agents.

Defended real estate developer against multimillion dollar lawsuit brought by contractors and resolved case favorably.

Advocated for home buyer in dispute with real estate agent over agent’s failure to timely notify buyer of key information, which settled on the eve of arbitration hearing for full amount demanded.

Defended seller of property in fraud lawsuit filed by buyer which resolved favorably shortly before trial.

Represented cannabis business against city planning commission and city council in issues involving permitting process, and obtained successful judgment on California Public Records Act and Brown Act concerns.

Obtained verdict of over $1 million after two-week jury trial in a real estate elder abuse matter.

Represented property owner in contentious easement dispute with owner of adjacent property.

Represented property owner in dispute against developer involving escrow holdback.

Startups

Conducted neutral internal investigations for multiple employers to resolve employee complaints for harassment and discrimination.

Advised startup clients in the food and beverage, wellness, and technology industries regarding employee issues, venture capital financing structure, and corporate formation issues.

Counseled food and beverage startup client on exit of co-founders to avoid litigation.

Advised multiple startup clients on financing options.