Judge Stephen G. Larson (Ret.)

Larson, a former federal court judge is now in private practice at Larson O'Brien, the firm he co-founded in 2016.

He recently hammered out a $4 million settlement, announced Aug. 9, 2019, for client Renovate America Inc., a San Diego-based company that helps finance energy efficient home improvements and partners with government entities across California to administer Property Assessed Clean Energy programs.

"The company was facing consumer fraud allegations with multiple investigations by district attorneys across California," Larson said. "The prosecutors were looking at criminal charges, but we found a cooperative path to resolution to let the client go forward in a business that relies on consumer confidence and good relations with public agencies."

The settlement announcement by Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said, "Renovate America and its counsel worked cooperatively with the prosecuting agencies to reach this settlement, which marks the culmination of nearly three years of investigation and negotiations."

The Property Assessed Clean Energy program lets property owners finance the installation of energy efficiency projects such as solar panels by placing liens on their properties and paying them off through their property tax assessments. Renovate America was facing tens of millions of dollars in fines and penalties. The prosecutors' complaint alleged that Renovate America misrepresented the program or failed to make adequate disclosures to avoid misleading consumers. People v. Renovate America, RIC 1904068 (Riverside Cty. Super. Ct., filed July 31, 2019).

"It took very intensive negotiations because there were so many actors," Larson said. Across the table were prosecutors from Riverside San Diego, Kern, Napa, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and the San Diego city attorney's office. "We showed them that we had conducted a thorough internal investigation and instituted reforms. There were management changes. We made lemonade."

Meanwhile, Larson continues his representation of real estate developer Jeff Burum in a civil case following the San Bernardino County district attorney's failed prosecution of Burum and four others accused of bribery and public corruption. Larson won acquittal for his client in August 2017 following an eight-month jury trial.

In the civil matter, Larson's clients allege the prosecution violated Burum's rights and that the county is obliged to indemnify him for many millions in attorney fees. Colonies Partners LP v. County of San Bernardino, 18-cv-00420 (C.D. Cal., filed March 1, 2018). Strengthening Larson's case, the trial court in June 2019 granted a significant discovery motion.

"We've gone from defense to offence," Larson said. "I don't take any joy from this. This prosecution should never have happened. It's been quite an odyssey."

-- John Roemer