Mark S. Adams

Biography

Mark S. Adams is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience in commercial disputes, including complex multi-party litigation and class actions. He has successfully tried numerous cases in state and federal courts, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations. Notably, Mark achieved two of California's top 50 largest jury verdicts in a single year. Mark has taken or defended nearly 1,000 depositions spanning across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Mark’s trial victories have been featured in prominent publications such as Forbes, Reuters, and Life Science Weekly. He has been recognized as an authority on noncompete agreements by the Wall Street Journal.

His practice focuses on business litigation, including contracts, corporate and partnership disputes, and hospitality litigation. Mark frequently handles high-stakes shareholder and investment disputes and has a significant track record representing real estate developers and investors. In the hospitality sector, he has successfully litigated the termination of numerous long-term hotel management and franchise agreements, as well as fiduciary duty issues and investor-owner disputes.

Mark is renowned in hotel litigation, representing hundreds of hotel owners in disputes with management brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Fairmont, Choice, and Marriott. He also represents the largest independent hotel management company in the United States, and one of the largest globally. As an authority on hotel management and franchise disputes, Mark is a frequent author and lecturer, sharing his vast experience in the United States and Europe on litigation strategies.

Mark is deeply committed to service, dedicating over 200 hours each year to pro bono and community service work. His efforts include supporting underserved domestic violence victims, educating those with limited access to legal resources, representing pro bono clients, and providing meals to the underprivileged.

Outside the Firm

Mark enjoys daily biking, amateur oil painting, playing at the guitar, and is an avid water-skier. He also devotes substantial time and resources to charities and community services.

In 2025, Mark and his wife were honored with the Rich Saul Heart & Soul Award for 10 years of philanthropic services and contributions to Childhelp Orange County—a charity in its 60th year helping abused and at-risk children.

Experience

Commercial Lease Dispute: After two and a half years of litigation, prevailed in an arbitration representing the tenant in a commercial warehouse lease dispute in which the landlord was seeking more than $12 million in lost rents and tenant improvements, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.
Management Company Litigation: Represented a management company in a litigation brought by the hotel owner seeking over $27 million in damages from an alleged breach of contract and alleged breach of fiduciary duty. Following two years of litigation, case was dismissed.
Partnership/Shareholder Dispute: Litigated partnership dispute representing the defendants resulting in a $32 million judgment against defendants. Reversed and dismissed on appeal.
Financial Elder Abuse: Represented a defendant in an elder abuse case resulting, ultimately, in summary judgment granted in favor of defendant.
Fee Dispute Arbitration: Consulted and advised defense counsel in a $3.2 million fee dispute resulting in a complete defense award.
Hotel Management Agreement Dispute: Resolved eight-million-dollar dispute over a hotel management agreement between the owner of a large luxury hotel in Manhattan, New York, and the global management company.
Hotel Management Agreement Dispute: Resolved contract dispute between a hotel owner and the brand for a hotel in San Antonio, Texas.
Investment Dispute: Represented defendants in an alleged investment scam that was tried to a jury, and obtained a directed verdict in favor of clients.
Food and Beverage License Agreement Dispute: Terminated a years-long license agreement associated with a $200 million property transaction between a Michelin-starred chef in Beverly Hills, California, and the property owner.
Development Agreement: Resolved a dispute concerning a terminated development agreement for a luxury hotel project in Miami, Florida, for more than $30 million.
Management Agreement Dispute: Prevailed in a three-million-dollar arbitration over the wrongful termination of a management company by a hotel owner.
Real Estate Contract Dispute: Obtained injunction on behalf of an interested party to prevent the dissipation of sales proceeds of $10 million fraudulently dispersed in a real estate transaction.
Defamation: Obtained judgment of $10.5 million in a defamation per se action.
Interference with Prospective Contract: Represented plaintiff independent distributer against former manufacturer for interference with prospective economic advantage that was tried to a jury and prevailed, obtaining $6.5 million, representing fourmillion dollars in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages.
Retail Commercial Lease Dispute: Resolved high-end lease dispute for a large commercial retail operation.
Consumer Fraud: Prevailed in an arbitration for defendant car dealership against former disgruntled customer.
Control Dispute: Resolved Board of Directors litigation between two groups.
Business Tort: Represented plaintiff in a litigation against a contact lens manufacturer for interference. Tried to a jury, and obtained a five-million-dollar judgment against defendant, including punitive damages.
Partnership Dispute: Resolved family partnership double derivative action among vying factions of a large family over a manufacturing company and other holdings.
Restraining Order: Tried and prevailed in obtaining a three-year personal domestic violence restraining order for an underserved woman, pro bono.
Partnership Dispute: Represented plaintiff in an arbitration over a partnership dispute and prevailed, obtaining an award finding the managing member guilty of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Client received his partnership investment back, plus $1.4 million in attorneys’ fees.
Corporate Governance: Prevailed in several California Corporations Code section 709 actions—a legal proceeding used to determine the validity of a corporate election or appointment of directors or officers. It allows shareholders or others with standing to challenge disputes over elections, voting rights, or procedures and provides the court authority to confirm or invalidate the results, and must be tried within five days of the filing of the complaint.