Dustin Linden
Of CounselDustin Linden is a seasoned commercial and business litigator with over a dozen years of experience. He focuses on corporate governance, fiduciary duty claims, disgruntled owner and investor issues, unfair competition, fraud, contract disputes, and real estate matters. Dustin also defends clients against consumer class actions and mass arbitrations, including related to pricing and fee disclosure practices. Dustin is highly knowledgeable in pricing comparison laws across the country and plays a leading role in advising clients on compliance with new fee disclosure requirements.
Dustin is a trusted advocate across industries with a successful track record representing public and private companies, government entities, and individuals in federal and state courts throughout the United States. His clients include national banks, insurance companies, venture capital firms, technology startups, automotive lenders, commercial tenants, restaurant groups, maritime companies, a school district, and consumer product distributors.
Guiding clients through all stages of litigation, from pre-trial motions through discovery and trial, Dustin balances aggressive advocacy with strategic negotiation to achieve the best possible outcome, efficiently considering both legal and business needs. He is known for his dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and creative problem-solving, and possesses a deep understanding of California's procedural requirements to help clients anticipate and avoid litigation pitfalls.
Additionally, Dustin has a long history of pro bono service, from supporting impactful projects in his community to litigating constitutional issues. He continues this commitment at DLA Piper through active participation in the firm's pro bono program.
EXPERIENCE
- Represented a local government entity in a major dispute with state and federal transportation authorities over an extension to the Los Angeles subway system.
- Defended an institutional landlord in a class action alleging failure to comply with the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act's provisions governing security deposit deductions and notice.
- Represented a large chemical manufacturer in an action for a writ of mandate against a regional water board.
- Represented a commercial tenant in a lease dispute against a major shopping mall lessor.
- Defended a national bank in a complex class action involving the bank's IRS reporting of mortgage interest payments by borrowers who sold their homes sold through short sales.
- Represented high-net-worth individuals in a multifaceted business and family trust dispute involving real estate, tax, probate, and elder abuse issues across multiple states.
- Represented the owners of an electronics distribution business in a comprehensive corporate and real estate dispute involving derivative claims, breaches of fiduciary duty, and issues of first impression in California involving corporate control in closely held businesses.
- Defended a national bank in a mass arbitration involving various terms of the bank's form credit card agreement and novel constitutional standing issues.
- Represented an automotive financing company in mass arbitration concerning the interpretation and enforcement of its form leasing agreement.
- Defended venture capitalists in early-stage technology companies against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by limited partner investors.
AWARDS
The Legal 500 United States
- Recommended, Securities Litigation – Defense, (2025)
- J.D., University of California at Los Angeles
- B.A., Political Science, University of California at Los Angeles