Polly Towill

Litigation

Los Angeles

Polly Towill is a seasoned business litigator who began her legal journey in 1987 after clerking for late U.S. District Judge Manuel Real.

"I have always tried to live by the motto that there are no problems only solutions," she said, adding: "I was naturally drawn to litigation because it presents stressful challenges for clients that require you as the lawyer to be calm, creative and steadfast in finding a truly beneficial result."

In one of Towill's recent notable cases, she represented the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB-SF) against claims of fraud, violation of the California Business & Professions Code and a request for declaratory judgment.

She said the plaintiff challenged the FHLB-SF's decision to nullify its membership based on financial metrics, peppering the complaint with unfounded accusations of racial animus to pressure the bank.

Despite the serious allegations and negative press, Towill successfully navigated the case, leading to the dismissal of all claims against FHLB-SF.

"Of note, and a big victory for all FHLBs across the country, the court conclusively ruled that no private right of action exists against a Federal Home Loan Bank for violation of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act," she added. "This protects this important institution from claims that threaten to deplete its resources to gain advantage."

Towill said financial institutions, especially those servicing cryptocurrency clients, will likely see increased activity by federal and state regulators and enforcement authorities.

"Ever changing reporting obligations and interpretations of rules have expanded the risk of civil fraud claims against financial institutions," she said.

Also in the last year, Towill, along with A Better Childhood, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of 11 named plaintiffs and thousands of other children who are in the San Bernardino County foster care system seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against state and county defendants to end the ongoing harm and severe risk of future harm to which plaintiffs are subjected to on a daily basis.

"This lawsuit aims to reform the San Bernadino County and Family Services and provide the county's vulnerable foster children with the protection, oversight, and services they are entitled to under federal and state laws," Towill said.

Following years of investigations, a San Bernardino grand jury declared San Bernardino County's foster care system "too broken to fix."

"The stories are heartbreaking," Towill said. "Getting the attention of the responsible agencies and giving a voice to the children by filing this complaint including drafting eight complex causes of action that would survive a motion to dismiss was a large effort by our team. Getting a good result for the foster children will be a focus this year."