Megan O’Neill Named Among Top Women Lawyers in California by Daily Journal
The firm is pleased to announce that the Daily Journal has named DTO partner Megan O’Neill to its 2021 list of “Top Women Lawyers” in California. The annual supplement honors California women who have achieved significant victories for clients and are considered leaders in their respective fields.
Megan is a seasoned litigator and a leader in the class action space, regularly defending Fortune 500 companies in consumer class actions alleging unfair competition, false advertising, and products liability. She also has significant experience litigating intellectual property claims, including suits alleging theft of trade secrets and trademark and copyright infringement.
The Daily Journal’s profile of Megan in this special issue highlighted her representation of client American Honda in three class action suits filed in Alabama, California, and New Jersey regarding allegedly defective fuel pumps. DTO obtained a stay of the California suit, and two were consolidated last year.
The Journal also recognized Megan’s work on behalf of clients Costco Wholesale Corp. and The Nature’s Bounty Co. Along with DTO partner William Delgado, Megan represents Costco and Nature’s Bounty in a false advertising class action over ginkgo biloba, now on its second trip to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Megan and Will initially prevailed on summary judgment in 2018, but then the law in the circuit changed, resulting in remand. They secured a second summary judgment victory in 2019 on the basis of preemption, which is now on appeal.
“We’ve never done a class-wide settlement in any of our class actions,” said Megan. “We’ve always been able to prevail or settle the case on an individual basis.”
Also noted throughout the profile was Megan’s commitment to DEI in the legal profession. As a founder of a women and minority owned law firm, she shared her passion for these issues. According to Megan, her continued success in the courtroom is important not only because of the firm and its clients, but because it also provides her with a platform to advocate for diversity in the legal system.
“It gives me a greater chance to speak on these issues, and I see that as a win-win,” Megan said. She added that being a player in complex cases proves “a woman can be at the top, and she doesn’t need a big firm behind her.”
Megan was recently recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a “Litigation Star” in 2021, and was previously named a “Local Litigation Star” and a “California Litigation Star.” As an established thought leader in the class action arena, she frequently speaks on related topics at legal seminars and conferences.
