Clifford E. Yin - Coblentz Law

Details

P 415.677.5240

F 415.989.1663

cyin@coblentzlaw.com

Education

J.D., cum laude,

Harvard University (1994)
B.A., magna cum laude,

Brown University (1991)

Practices

Industries

Professional Services

Technology

Construction

Cliff Yin has thirty years of experience litigating high-stakes business, real estate, and employment disputes, including first-chairing multiple jury trial and arbitration victories. He is known for his reasoned approach to problem-solving and for his unique combination of responsiveness, efficiency, and tenacity. In two separate jury trials, Cliff and his team achieved complete victories in which his clients obtained jury verdicts for all of the damages sought (including, most recently, a $14.2 million jury verdict) and awards of all of the attorney fees sought (including, most recently, an $11.6 million fee award).

Because his clients come from a wide range of industries—advertising, professional services, real estate, retail, supermarket, technology, and more—Cliff is adept at quickly understanding his clients’ business and strategic objectives and placing them in an optimal position to resolve or win their disputes.

Cliff is the former chair of the Litigation practice group.

Cliff earned his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1994 after attending Brown University and earning his B.A., magna cum laude, in English and economics in 1991.

Obtained in his client’s favor a $14.2 million jury verdict on its claims and a complete defense verdict on the cross-claims asserted against it (seeking $54 million in damages) in a two-month contract and fraud case. Also obtained an award of all requested attorney fees.

Obtained a seven-figure jury verdict in a five-day breach of lease trial on behalf of a major real estate developer, including award of all requested attorney fees.

On behalf of Fortune 200 company, successfully defeated motion for preliminary injunction, obtained early dismissal of lawsuit, and obtained award of 95% of requested attorney fees.

Obtained for mobile services provider a complete defense verdict in one FCA arbitration and won summary judgment on all claims in another.

Won a complete defense verdict in a five-day NLRB unfair labor practice proceeding on behalf of a private security company.

Obtained high six-figure jury verdict in a five-day breach of contract trial on behalf of a major telecommunications company.

Reached favorable settlements in wrongful termination lawsuits brought against a Fortune 500 technology company.

Reached a favorable $150,000 settlement in a breach of contract action even though the plaintiff claimed damages in excess of $21 million and had won summary adjudication on several claims.

Litigated several offbeat cases, including cases involving the alleged theft of three Dachshunds and the ownership of an award-winning Airedale Terrier.

Cliff is recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star in the Labor and Employment, Real Estate, and General Commercial litigation categories. He has been named a “Northern California Super Lawyer” by San Francisco Magazine (2011-2024) and in 2009, was profiled as a Rising Star. Cliff was profiled by Law360 as a Minority Power Broker. He has received recognition for his trial-advocacy work from the Constitutional Rights Foundation and the San Francisco Unified School District. In 2008, he won an “Adult Advocate of the Year” award for outstanding dedication and commitment to California youth. In 2022, Cliff was honored with the Crystal Award for Diversity Educational Programs by the Justice & Diversity Center.