M. Theresa "Tess" Tolentino Meehan
Experience
Maria Theresa "Tess" Tolentino Meehan is a partner in the firm's Trial practice group.
Her practice includes a full range of complex business litigation, including product
liability, unfair business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, real estate and
construction matters. Tess's corporate clients are well served by her experience as inhouse counsel for Honda North America, Inc., where she managed corporate and
litigation matters, including class actions. Tess was responsible for all phases of
litigation including making strategic decisions on motion practice, on settlement, at
trial and on appeal. She prepared numerous company witnesses, including Japanese
engineers, for deposition and trial testimony as well as worked directly with outside
experts. Tess also co-chaired Honda's Electronic Discovery Project, where she
developed and enhanced the electronic discovery practices for all Honda companies.
Partner
Since leaving her in-house position, Tess has successfully defended a variety of
Sacramento, CA
corporations including several automotive manufacturers, real estate developers,
(916) 319-4677 direct
construction and scaffolding companies, short line railroads, banking and financial
institutions, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. She is also experienced in real estate
development litigation involving the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, state
and federal securities statutes, and the California Subdivided Lands Act.
Before joining Stoel Rives, Tess was a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig, LLP's business
(916) 447-4781 fax
tess.tolentinomeehan@stoel.com
Education

1999
litigation group (2009-2011), of counsel with Best Best & Krieger LLP (2007–2009), in-
1st Honors Race & Racism Seminar,
house counsel for Honda North America, Inc. (2001–2007) and a litigation associate
Fall 1998
with Best Best & Krieger LLP (1998–2001).
Representative Work

Defends several manufacturers in numerous product liability and consumer
Phi Delta Law Honor Society, 19971999

1995
to certified used vehicle programs.

Obtained a dismissal for a large financial institution in an action alleging fraud,
Admissions
misrepresentation and violations of the federal Interstate Land Sales Full

California
Disclosure Act and California's Subdivision Map Act.*

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern,
Northern, Central and Southern
Defended all authorized dealers of an automotive manufacturer in California in a
purported class action.*

University of Southern California, B.A.,
Political Science, Law and Society,
litigation matters, including defending claims of unfair business practices related

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D.,
Obtained a stipulated judgment shortly before trial for a large financial
institution that filed a multimillion-dollar claim for breach of loan agreements
and guaranties.*
Districts of California

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit
M. Theresa "Tess" Tolentino Meehan

Defended a municipal water district as part of a defense team in a case alleging breach of contract, negligence, trespass an d
nuisance that resulted in plaintiff voluntarily dismissing the case three weeks into the trial.*

Defended a private investigation firm on claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair business practices.

Represented and defended a financial institution in a purported class action alleging claims of violations of the federal Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act and California's Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.*

Assisted several private corporations and municipalities in developing or enhancing electronic discovery and record management
programs.*
*This work was performed prior to joining Stoel Rives LLP.
Professional Honors and Activities

Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California, May 1995

Member, DRI

Member, American Bar Association
Presentations

"Working with Outside Counsel to Save Time and Money on Litigation Case Management," Sacramento Chapter - Association of
Corporate Counsel (ACC), Nov. 15, 2012

"E-discovery and the Public Records Act - What You Should Know," 2012 Annual Meeting, League of California Cities, San Diego,
California, Sept. 7, 2012

"Proposed ESI Amendments to California Code of Civil Procedure," 16th Annual Auto Manufacturer's Seminar, Torrance,
California, July 18, 2009

Electronic Discovery and Electronic Records Management," 2008 Annual Meeting, League of California Cities, Long
Beach, California, Sept. 26, 2008

"Electronic Discovery and Electronic Records Management," 2007 City Clerks New Law and Election Seminar, League of California
Cities, Monterey, California, Dec. 2, 2007

"Electronic Discovery," 5th Annual Customer Conference, ECS Imaging, Inc., Riverside, California, Aug. 23, 2007
Publications

"California Buyer's Remorse Litigation: The Latest Round of ILSA Litigation is Further Complicated by California's Subdivided
Lands Act" (coauthor), California Real Property Journal, Vol. 30, Nos. 2, 2012