Jeff Hook
CONTACT INFORMATION

17901 Von Karman Avenue
Suite 500
Irvine, CA 92614

Work: (949) 537-3800
Fax: (949) 537-3822
Email:jh@smtdlaw.com

Jeff Hook

Jeff Hook is a business litigator with more than twenty years of experience in the areas of construction law, surety law, employment law, partnership disputes, and general business litigation. Mr. Hook is a skilled trial attorney and also has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution. As lead trial counsel for a six day jury trial in Orange County Superior Court, Mr. Hook recently obtained a unanimous verdict on behalf of SMTD’s client in a heavily contested indemnity action. The six day jury trial was followed by a one day bench trial in which SMTD defeated defendants’ reformation claim based on alleged fraud. Following the trial, Mr. Hook successfully obtained an award of all the client’s attorneys’ fees, costs and prejudgment interest. Mr. Hook also counsels, advises and defends both contractors and sureties related to prevailing wage laws and public works projects. This includes advising prime contractors and subcontractors regarding compliance with respect to apprenticeship obligations, certified payroll record reporting requirements, and craft classification determinations. Mr. Hook regularly defends his clients against Civil Wage and Penalty Assessments and Notices of Withholding of Contract Payments issued by the Division of labor Standards Enforcement and Labor Compliance Programs throughout the State of California.

EDUCATION

  • Whittier College School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 2001 – Clerked for the Honorable Judith Ashmann-Gerst, now Justice Ashmann-Gerst while in law school.
  • San Diego State University, B.A., 1999 

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of California; Admitted to practice law in all California state courts, the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

PERSONAL

  • Pitched in the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers minor league organizations from 1994 through 1996.