Media Cases:
From 2008-2009, Opri represented Liza Marquez in her legal matters against David Caruso [CSI Miami]: her palimony suit against the actor, as well as for child support in their paternity action. Separately, Opri also continues to handle palimony cases involving well known individuals 'outside' of the courtroom, resulting in settlement offers without court intervention, or media attention.
In 2007, Opri represented Pamela Hasselhoff in her divorce from David Hasselhoff.
Also, in 2007, Opri represented Jermaine Jackson, of the Jackson Five and brother of Michael Jackson, in his divorce proceedings.
In 2006-2007, Opri took on Anna Nicole Smith, and championed the cause of Larry Birkhead against the celebrity, in what became an international battle in a high profile paternity action seeking to establish, fight for and protect a father's rights over his child. Opri successfully forced a DNA test in both California and the Bahamas in furtherance of a father's rights, as well as to push for the custody rights of a father. Anna Nicole Smith died in February, 2007. Several months later, Mr. Birkhead took custody of his daughter, Dannielynn, and took her from the Bahamas to the United States, where they reside today.
From 2003-2005, Ms. Opri was retained by Joe and Katharine Jackson, the parents of Michael Jackson, representing their parental interests concerning Michael's criminal case for alleged child molestation, in Santa Barbara County. Her clear representation of the facts, law, and Constitutional issues, successfully addressed and highlighted the media's campaign to convict Michael Jackson before the case even went to a jury. Ms. Opri was one of the very few in the media to predict that Michael Jackson would be acquitted of all charges.
From 2001-2002, Ms. Opri represented, and successfully defended the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in a sexual assault/harassment case in Los Angeles. Her effective legal strategies included bringing to the attention of the jury the "differences" of her famous client's actual persona .... what was the media image and what was the personal side of James Brown, a humble, older performer and southern gentleman who was trying to provide economic assistance to his race. Simultaneous with her client's positive image conveyed throughout this case and in the courtroom, Ms. Opri also challenged the credibility of the woman who accused Brown of sexual improprieties, relying upon witnesses and material evidence, as well as the woman's own testimony in successfully challenging the allegations of sexual misconduct.
Opri also took on the case of an ex personal assistant, Bill Ash, a potential key witness to what many considered the suspicious death of Seth Tobias, a well known CNBC financial analyst and hedge fund guru. Opri was one of the few to defend this witness' account of how Mr. Tobias died.
Currently, in what can only be described as one of Opri's more contentious and ongoing legal battles, she continues to pursue the courtroom fight of a young mother, Lauren Winkler, against an older ex boyfriend, who, as a family law attorney, dragged her through the court system in his attempt to take custody of her minor child from her. The battle culminated in October, 2009, when the Court of Appeals reversed the lower court and directed it to enter an order against this ex-boyfriend, and in favor of the biological father, who had earlier declared his paternity via a DNA test, and a Declaration of Paternity, which had been entered as a judgment but ignored by the lower court. The fight continues, as this individual now attempts to seek custody of this minor child as a 'non parent.' This is clearly a case which may further define a mother's rights against the interference of a 'third party' non parent.
Opri's other cases have demonstrated her profound interest in protecting children against abuse, as well as to champion children's rights: Opri took on the case of a 14-year-old student who was sexually assaulted by her teacher in Chicago; pursued the wrongful death of two foster care children when their mother threw them over the ninth floor balcony of the Los Angeles Superior Court building. [Citing the negligence of the county social worker in not properly overseeing the blatant issues of the mother's own mental instability and of the need to have the children removed from the home, the case focused public attention on the County's inability to properly train and supervise social workers in an overburdened and overwhelmed foster care system.]; as well as to represent the family in the shooting death of Tyrone Brooks, an unarmed 19-year-old, who was shot to death by San Bernardino police officers.
Opri also took on the largest foster care agency in the State of California, the International Foster Family Agency, representing seven employees who were whistleblowers against a systematic abuse of foster care funds from the state and county amassing millions yearly in what would become a circumvention of these funds for personal use, and an obvious and egregious misuse of funds earmarked for foster children and parents.
Opri continues to represent well known and everyday clients, choosing the message the case will send to the public, and to the legal system.
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