Sean SeLegue, ranked in Band 1 by Chambers,* has developed two distinct areas of focus over more than 30 years of law practice.
Appeals. Sean brings rigorous analysis, lively writing and creativity to his appellate practice. He emphasizes teamwork with trial counsel while ensuring the client gets objective advice based on a fresh assessment of the matter. Chambers has cast him as a "a top-flight appellate attorney"; one commenter said he “provided great value to our trial team, setting up our case strongly for an appeal.” He is a certified appellate specialist, State Bar of California, Vice President of the selective California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and a member of the invitation-only American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Sean began his career in appellate law in 1991 with a clerkship for Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Since then, he has handled appeals in many areas, including energy law, products liability, real estate, partnership disputes, securities law, contract law and high-asset community property disputes in marital dissolution (divorce) cases.
Attorney Liability And Ethics. A former Chair of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees and the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, Sean has advised and represented dozens of lawyers and law firms. He has extensive experience in defending malpractice and malicious prosecution actions and attorney discipline defense. He has overseen internal investigations for law firms and has advised firms and appeared on their behalf, in investigations and inquiries by the State Bar and federal judges. Sean also has served as an expert witness.
*Chambers Ranking in Litigation: California Appellate category
Experience
- Anti-SLAPP/Protected Speech: Obtained ruling that a plaintiff may respond to an anti-SLAPP motion by dismissing the action without prejudice and filing a new case omitting allegations of protected activity, persuading the appellate court to disagree with prior precedent to the contrary. Williams v. Doctors Medical Center, 100 Cal. App. 5th 1117 (2024) (disagreeing with South Sutter LLC v. LJ Sutter Partners, L.P., 193 Cal. App. 4th 634 (2011)).
- Estates and Trusts: Lead appellate counsel in California Supreme Court after grant of review in Barefoot v. Jennings, 8 Cal. 5th 522 (2020), regarding standing to challenge a trust.
- Law Firms: Obtained reversal of disqualification ruling in significant case for national law firm. California Self-Insurers' Fund v. Superior Court, 19 Cal. App. 5th 1065 (2018).
- Jurisdiction/Mass Actions: Persuaded California Supreme Court to grant review twice in matter regarding personal jurisdiction over claims brought by out-of-state plaintiffs in mass tort action. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court, 1 Cal. 5th 783 (2016), rev'd, 137 S. Ct. 1773 (2017).
- Retail Leasing: Obtained 82% reduction in judgment in a prominent dispute regarding co-tenancy clauses. Grand Prospect Partners, L.P. v. Ross Dress for Less Inc., 232 Cal. App. 4th 1332 (2015).
Perspectives
Recognition
Appellate Practice (SF) (2022-2025)
"San Francisco Lawyer of the Year" Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law (SF) (2012, 2016, 2019)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 1991, Order of the Coif
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1988, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with departmental highest honors
Admissions
- California
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, The Honorable Cynthia H. Hall
Activities
- Vice President, California Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- Former Member and Chair, State Bar of California Board of Trustees (2016-2022)
- Member, Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct, State Bar of California (2005-2007)
- Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (Member, 1998-2002; Vice-Chair, 2002-2003; Chair, 2003-2004; Special Advisor, 2004-2005), State Bar of California
- Bar Association of San Francisco (Member, Executive Committee, Litigation Section, 2009-2012; Co-Chair, Legal Malpractice Section, 2011-2014)
- American Bar Association (Member, Advisory Council to the "Ethics 2000" Commission; Vice Chair, Ethics Committee, Intellectual Property Section, 2012-2016)
- Member, Board of Directors, Berkeley Law Alumni Association (2012-2018)
- Member and former Co-Chair, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom