Arent Fox
ATTORNEY BIO
Jeffrey R. Makin

Jeffrey R. Makin
November 11, 2011
  • Associate
  • Los Angeles, CA
213.443.7521
jeffrey.makin@arentfox.com

Jeff Makin is an associate in the Litigation Group. His work focuses on complex commercial litigation, including business torts and unfair competition, contract disputes, partnership disputes, and consumer class action defense.

Client Work

Jeff has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including contract disputes, business torts, copyright litigation, and complex consumer class actions. His representative cases include:

  • Summary judgment victory for a California-based company defending a breach of an indemnity agreement claim for $40 million brought by aFortune 500 company.
  • Representing business owners as plaintiffs in a dispute over a business that was sold for approximately $70 million. Jeff was part of a team that successfully opposed motions for summary judgment and prepared for trial. The dispute ultimately settled the day before trial was scheduled to begin.
  • Representing a landlord in a commercial lease dispute and successfully defending the landlord at the appellate level.
  • Defending a Southern California manufacturer against wage and hour claims. Jeff successfully settled the claims. 
  • Representing California employers from various industries at administrative hearings regarding wage claims, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation
  • Assisting a client with an arbitration matter before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
  • Representing clients from various industries in appeals to the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit.

Previous Work

Prior to joining Arent Fox, Jeff was an associate at a large international law firm. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Michael W. Mosman in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.

Jeff also has extensive experience studying campaigns and elections. Before attending law school, he worked at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. The Center conducted numerous national studies of Congressional, Senatorial, and Presidential elections.

Professional Activities

Jeff is a young lawyer representative on the Executive Board of the Federal Bar Association, Los Angeles Chapter.

Publications/Presentations

  • “False Claims and ITAR – A Lethal Combination,” Law360, February 2011.
  • “The Effects of Campaign Volume on Public Confidence in Elections,” Southern Political Science Association annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, January 5-9, 2005.
  • “Being in the Crosshairs: The Impact on Public Confidence in Elections and Democracy of High Levels of Party and Interest Group Spending,” Southern Political Science Association annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, January 8-10, 2004.
  • “Bringing the Outside In: The Study of Outside Money in Congressional Campaigns,” Vox Pop Newsletter of Political Organizations and Parties, Vol. 23, Issue 1 (2004), pp. 1-3.
  • “Enough Already: The Impact of Noncandidate Spending on Voters,” Northeastern Political Science Association annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA, November 6-8, 2003.

Recognitions

During law school, Jeff was the editor-in-chief of the Southern California Law Review and received the Edward and Eleanor Shattuck Award for significant contributions to the University of Southern California Law School. Also, upon completing his undergraduate studies, Jeff was selected as the political science department valedictorian at Brigham Young University.

Life Beyond the Law

Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, hiking, going to the beach and otherwise relaxing. Jeff also enjoys reading classic literature.

Bar and Court Admissions

  • California Bar
  • US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Southern District of California

Education

University of Southern California Gould School of Law
, JD
Brigham Young University
, BA

Practices

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Labor & Employment
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