The cases behind
the perspective.

Lead trial lawyer

Represented investors in the Charles Keating litigation, including a $3.3 billion jury verdict. A verdict is distinct from money ultimately recovered.

Investor fraud litigation

Represented investors after the San Jose company collapsed; his biography reports jury verdicts exceeding $200 million.

Representing fraud victims

Cotchett and Nancy Fineman interviewed Madoff in federal prison in July 2009 while pursuing claims for victims.

Co-lead counsel for bondholders

Represented bondholders following the county’s bankruptcy.

Counsel for Monster and Noel Lee

The complaint alleged fraud in the business relationship behind Beats. Allegations are distinct from findings.

Antitrust litigation

His biography describes a $96 million settlement with three defendants in litigation involving major citric acid producers.

Counsel for the City of San Jose

Challenged baseball’s territorial restrictions and the treatment of the proposed Oakland A’s relocation.

Member of CPM litigation team

CPM’s 2021 newsletter names Cotchett among lawyers handling claims alleging artificially inflated beef prices.

Member of CPM litigation team

CPM’s Spring 2025 newsletter identifies Cotchett on the team litigating alleged coordination involving U.S. producers and OPEC.

Co-lead counsel

Appointed in the coordinated battery-throttling litigation; CPM later announced a settlement for affected iPhone consumers.

Listed CPM key contact

CPM announced a claims period for a proposed $250 million settlement. Apple denies wrongdoing; preliminary approval is distinct from final approval.

Member of consumer litigation team

A 2026 complaint alleges the company retained price increases associated with tariffs after receiving refunds. These are allegations.

Counsel for Wozniak and fraud victims

Represented Wozniak and individuals challenging the platform’s alleged handling of fraudulent cryptocurrency videos.

Listed representative matter

The complaint challenges alleged diversion of commissions through a browser extension.

Listed representative matter

Litigation challenges alleged unfair pricing, equipment and collection practices in a gaming-PC subscription service.

Listed CPM key contact

The consumer complaint alleges misleading representations about driving technology.

Counsel with the public-entity litigation team

A nearly twenty-year case concluded with a $305 million settlement for ten California cities and counties to fund lead-paint abatement.

Counsel for public-access advocates

Litigation addressed beach access and obligations under California coastal law.

Member of the homeowners’ litigation team

CPM announced court approval of a $6.3 million partial settlement with Lennar and FivePoint in 2022.

Counsel with CPM’s resident litigation team

A proposed class action alleges toxic releases and seeks accountability and medical monitoring.

Chief trial counsel

Defended the consumer watchdog in product-disparagement litigation involving its vehicle reporting.

Counsel for the City of Richmond

Represented the city challenging threatened loss of federal funding tied to its sanctuary policy.

Pro bono public-entity representation

CPM represented San Jose in litigation challenging the federal government’s DACA position.

Counsel with Dean Robb

Represented Liuzzo’s children in litigation examining the FBI’s use of an informant linked to her murder. The court found no intentional FBI misconduct.

Counsel for children in the Philippines

Brought litigation seeking support for children of U.S. servicemen after the naval base closed.

Trial counsel

Won a defense jury verdict in trade-dress litigation concerning wine labels and bottles.

Qui tam litigation

His biography reports a $25 million settlement in a matter involving the medical school.

Counsel challenging the sale

Litigation helped halt the proposed sale and leaseback of state buildings in 2010–2011.

Member of the victims’ family litigation team

CPM’s Summer 2019 newsletter names Joe Cotchett among the attorneys handling wrongful-death lawsuits and FAA claims for families of U.S. and Canadian citizens killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. The litigation concerned Boeing’s aircraft and alleged component defects.

CPM’s aviation practice

Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy represents victims of commercial-airline, fixed-wing and helicopter crashes. Its aviation team works with accident evidence and NTSB and FAA investigation procedures. The firm identifies Frank Pitre and his team as contacts for this practice.