Craig Harbaugh

Senior Counsel

T: 949.476.8700
F: 949.476.0900
charbaugh@kelleranderle.com

vCard
Linkedin

PRACTICE AREAS
Trials
Commercial Litigation
Intellectual Property
While Collar Criminal Defense
Legal Malpractice

EDUCATION
University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D.; Top 25%, Mason C. Brown Award

Xavier University, B.S., Business Administration, magna cum laude

State Bar of California

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Supreme Court of the United States

Federal Bar Association

Orange County Bar Association

National Forensics College, New York, New York, “Attacking Cognitive Bias Throughout a Case” (2023)

Capital Case Defense Seminar, Monterey, California, “Litigating Cognitive Bias in Trial” (2023)

DNA Bootcamp, Sacramento, California, “Cognitive Bias” (2023)

Craig Harbaugh is a first chair trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience. Craig started his career in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp where he prosecuted and defended soldiers in courts-martial and military appellate proceedings. Craig then worked for almost twenty years as a Deputy Federal Defender handling federal trials in the United States Central District of California and litigating appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, including an en banc proceeding.

Craig’s transition to civil litigation has been seamless. His superior trial skills have benefited clients on all types of cases. Craig is currently prosecuting a false advertising case with potential damages of over $100 million. He is also defending Michael Jackson’s estate against two lawsuits alleging approximately $200 million in damages.

In addition to being a highly regarded trial attorney, Craig is also a sought-after legal contributor. He regularly trains attorneys on all aspects of trial with a particular focus on expert testimony at local and national seminars.

Craig Harbaugh

Senior Counsel

EDUCATION

University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D.; Top 25%, Mason C. Brown Award

Xavier University, B.S., Business Administration, magna cum laude

EXPERIENCE

Craig Harbaugh is a first chair trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience. Craig started his career in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp where he prosecuted and defended soldiers in courts-martial and military appellate proceedings. Craig then worked for almost twenty years as a Deputy Federal Defender handling federal trials in the United States Central District of California and litigating appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, including an en banc proceeding.

Craig’s transition to civil litigation has been seamless. His superior trial skills have benefited clients on all types of cases. Craig is currently prosecuting a false advertising case with potential damages of over $100 million. He is also defending Michael Jackson’s estate against two lawsuits alleging approximately $200 million in damages.

In addition to being a highly regarded trial attorney, Craig is also a sought-after legal contributor. He regularly trains attorneys on all aspects of trial with a particular focus on expert testimony at local and national seminars.

Trials
Commercial Litigation
Intellectual Property
While Collar Criminal Defense
Legal Malpractice

Representing MJJ Productions and Ventures (Michael Jackson) against two accusers alleging $200 million in damages in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Representing Guardant Health Inc., as plaintiff in a $100 million false advertising and patent case.

Served as lead counsel litigating competency proceedings on behalf of high-profile attorney accused of defrauding clients.

Tried an eight-week murder-bombing trial which resulted in a hung jury.

Won a massive fraud scheme with a directed verdict.

Won an acquittal in a sexual assault trial.

Successfully defended a multimillion-dollar securities fraud case.

Won dismissal of four separate drug trafficking cases after successfully challenging pretextual stops of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Negotiated probationary sentence for fraud client after defeating a motion to quash brought by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Secured dismissal of two cyberstalking matters through aggressive pretrial litigation.

Secured withdrawal of extradition request after litigating case through appeal.

Won an acquittal in sexual abuse case involving three minor accusers.

State Bar of California

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Supreme Court of the United States

Federal Bar Association

Orange County Bar Association

National Forensics College, New York, New York, “Attacking Cognitive Bias Throughout a Case” (2023)

Capital Case Defense Seminar, Monterey, California, “Litigating Cognitive Bias in Trial” (2023)

DNA Bootcamp, Sacramento, California, “Cognitive Bias” (2023)