Andy K. Cho

Of Counsel

Location:

Los Angeles, CA

Phone:

Fax:

310-474-0931

Email:

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Mr. Cho is Of Counsel with BDG Law Group, where he practices eminent domain and real estate. Prior to joining BDG, much of his practice focused on eminent domain, inverse condemnation, real property, and business litigation, working with clients both prior to and after commencement of proceedings. Mr. Cho has approximately 19 years of experience in litigation, including jury and bench trials, as well as both State and Federal appellate work. He has handled eminent domain cases for many large public entities, including the California Department of Transportation, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Southern California Edison. Mr. Cho has extensive experience litigating a multitude of eminent domain issues, such as just compensation, project effect, highest and best use feasibility, title issues, full and partial takes, goodwill damages, and more. Mr. Cho has also represented the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in both civil litigation matters and investigation of financial institutions and their practices resulting in the financial institution and receivership by the FDIC.

Bar Admissions

State of California (SBN232744), admitted December 2004
United States District Court, Central District of California, admitted December 6, 2006
United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, admitted June 10, 2013

Legal Experience

California Department of Transportation , Los Angeles, CA May 2017 – Present

Deputy Attorney IV

General litigation and transactional matters, representing and advising the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA).

Successfully represented and negotiated favorable settlements for Caltrans and CHSRA in litigation matters related to the acquisition of real property by eminent domain for various projects, including the expansion of the California highway and freeway systems, safety improvements of the California highway systems, and construction of the high-speed rail project.
Managed and performed all aspects of litigation, including mediations, arbitration, drafting of pleadings, written discovery, depositions, trial preparation.
Negotiated and drafted contracts on behalf of Caltrans, for various Caltrans projects, such as the Victorville-Las Vegas High-Speed Rail Project.
Negotiated and drafted real estate documents on behalf of Caltrans, for construction of various Caltrans projects, such as the Gerald Desmond Replacement Bridge in Long Beach, California.
Managed and coordinated support staff, including paralegals and legal secretaries.

Avila & Putnam, P.L.C. , Los Angeles, CA January 2009 – April 2017

Senior Associate Attorney

General civil practice and litigation (trial and appellate levels; state and federal court), representing and advising major metropolitan public and private entities, such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Southern California Edison, Riverside County Transportation Commission, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Drafted, researched, prepared, filed and argued motions in limine on behalf of Southern California Edison in a condemnation action, resulting in the exclusion of defendants’ evidence claiming $20 million and $2 million in just compensation and severance damages, respectively.
Drafted, researched, prepared, filed and argued Respondent’s Brief in support of the trial court’s exclusion of defendants’ evidence regarding just compensation and severance damages, respectively, in California Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals sustained the trial court’s ruling regarding the exclusion of defendants’ evidence.
Successfully represented condemning agencies as co-chair and second-chair at trials to determine the amount of just compensation for the acquisition of transmission line easement and expansion of light rail.
Managed and performed all aspects of litigation, including mediations, arbitration, drafting of pleadings, written discovery, depositions, trial preparation, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and drafting appellate briefs.
Drafted contracts for business clients and real estate transactions.
Managed and coordinated support staff, including paralegals and legal secretaries

Steven C. Kim & Associates , Los Angeles, CA March 2006 – December 2008

Associate Attorney

General civil practice and litigation, emphasizing real property law, employment law, commercial transactions.

Represented small business in civil litigation and defense. General civil practice and litigation (trial and appellate levels), emphasizing real property law, employment law, commercial transactions.
Managed and performed all aspects of litigation, including mediations, drafting of pleadings, and written discovery.
Managed and coordinated support staff, including paralegals and legal secretaries

Education

Loyola Law School , Los Angeles, CA, J.D., May 2004

Honors: Graduated Top 20%, St. Thomas More Honor Society, Dean’s Honor List, 2003 State Bar Foundation Public Interest Scholarship, Imelda Rosenthal Memorial Scholarship, Loyola Endowed Scholarship.

Sogang University, Graduate School of International Studies , Seoul, Korea, M.I.S., February 2000