Bina Ghanaat
Partner
Bina Ghanaat
Partner
Bina Ghanaat is a Partner with experience in toxic torts, insurance coverage, bad faith, habitability, and personal injury cases. She manages her cases from inception to resolution, handling discovery, depositions, law and motion, and trial in state and federal courts. Ms. Ghanaat has defended a wide range of clients, including manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, insurance carriers, building owners, and trucking companies. She has drafted numerous motions for summary judgment that have resulted in dismissals of her clients or significantly reduced demands. She has also drafted and argued successful motions for summary adjudication as to punitive damages and various causes of action in asbestos matters venued in San Francisco and Alameda. For those cases in which a dispositive motion has not been viable, Ms. Ghanaat has prepared them for trial in an efficient manner with an emphasis on achieving optimal results for her clients. In Fall 2020, Ms. Ghanaat was co-counsel in one of the first “virtual” trials in Alameda County. In August 2022, Ms. Ghanaat second chaired a trial in federal court that resulted in a complete defense verdict for the firm’s boiler manufacturer client in a personal injury, mesothelioma, case.
Admissions
State Bar of California, 2009
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States District Court, Northern District of California
United States District Court, Southern District of California
United States District Court, Central District of California
United States District Court, Eastern District of California
Education
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall), Juris Doctor 2009
Executive Editor, UC Davis Law Review, Fall 2008, Spring 2009
Traynor Moot Court Team, Fall 2008, Spring 2009
Traynor Moot Court Outstanding Individual Achievement in Oral Argument, 2009
Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence: Seminar in Legal Psychology, Spring 2009
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
B.A. Political Science, 2005, cum laude
Dean’s Honor List, 2003
Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society
Selected Publications
• Technology and Privacy: The Need for an Appropriate Mode of Analysis in the Debate over the Federal DNA Act, 42 UC Davis L. Rev. 1315 (2009)
• Ronnie Gipson and Bina Ghanaat, New California Law Requires Locking Mail Receptacle for Each Unit in Residential Hotel, California Law Update (August 2008)
• Second Appellate District Holds Auto Insurer Satisfies Contractual Obligations When Elects to Repair Insured’s Vehicle without Insured’s Authorization, but Insurer May Be Liable in Bad Faith if it thereafter Subrogates Against the Liable Party for the Cost of the Unauthorized Repair, California Collision Insurance Repair Law Update (May 2011)
• Dean Pollack and Bina Ghanaat, San Francisco Court Closures Likely to Affect Asbestos Cases, California Asbestos Law Update (August 2011)
• Dean Pollack and Bina Ghanaat, San Francisco Superior Court Sets Hearing to Rescind Asbestos Litigation General Orders, California Asbestos Litigation Alert (October 2011)
• Dean Pollack and Bina Ghanaat, In Blow to Certain Product Manufacturers, California Appellate Court Uses O’Neil Exceptions to Allow Plaintiffs’ Case to Withstand Judgment on the Pleadings (May 2012)
• David Waters, Dean Pollack and Bina Ghanaat, Blow to Certain Product Manufacturers Blunted, California Asbestos Law Client Alert (May 2012)
• Edward R. Hugo, Chris M. Glezakos and Bina Ghanaat, “Civil Jury Trials in the Time of COVID-19,” Daily Journal (August 14, 2020)
• Edward R. Hugo, Christina M. Glezakos and Bina Ghanaat, “A Commentary: Trial by Trial and Error,” HarrisMartin (August 19, 2020)
• Edward R. Hugo, Christina M. Glezakos and Bina Ghanaat, “The Rush to Justice During a Pandemic,” Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos (September 23, 2020)
• Presentation: Edward R. Hugo, Christina M. Glezakos and Bina Ghanaat, Webinar: “Virtual Trial – Real Problems,” LCA (April 8, 2021)
• Edward R. Hugo, Christina M. Glezakos and Bina Ghanaat, “Virtual Voir Dire – Real Error,” LCA Litigation Commentary & Review (June 15, 2021)
• Edward R. Hugo and Bina Ghanaat, “Statutory Changes and Emerging Trends in Asbestos Litigation,” Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos (January 26, 2022)
• Edward R. Hugo and Bina Ghanaat, “Does ‘No’ Mean ‘No’?,” Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos (June 8, 2022)
• Edward R. Hugo and Bina Ghanaat, “The Big Problems with Mini-Openings,” HarrisMartin (April 2023)
• Edward R. Hugo and Bina Ghanaat, “Shopping for Preference in California,” HarrisMartin (June 2023)
