Mr. Gridley joined the Firm over sixteen years ago as an experienced litigator following years as a partner in a firm that specialized in public entity work and 20 years in a Los Angeles insurance defense firm of which he was a named partner.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1970 and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Southern California in 1973.

He has represented Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority, City of Alhambra, City of Culver City, City of Downey, City of Inglewood, City of Goleta, City of Palmdale and the City of Santa Clarita in eminent domain litigation.  With regard to an eminent domain taking under the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979, Mr. Gridley represented a public entity in an action based on the Act.  He prevailed in the Trial Court, the Appellate Court (Case No. S169498, not published) and the Writ was denied in the California Supreme Court.  In the area of affordable housing, Mr. Gridley has had two appellate opinions in the field (Case No. C076809, unpublished and Case No. C083811, unpublished).  In civil litigation, Mr. Gridley has three published opinions Sky Posters, Inc. v California Department of Transportation [78Cal.App.5^th644 (2022)], Gehl Brothers Manufacturing, Inc. v Superior Court [183Cal.App.3^rd178 (1986)] and St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company v. Murray Plumbing and Heating Corporation [65Cal.App.3^rd66(1976)]

Mr. Gridley has tried over 100 cases to verdict in fields such as eminent domain, land use, product liability, intellectual property, construction defect, employment law and premises liability.  He has represented public entities in contract suits brought by developers, defended contractual challenges involving the Los Angeles Red Line Metro system and defended the County of Los Angeles in a suit brought by homeowners who claimed that the erection of a pumping station in their neighborhood caused property damage and was a public nuisance.  He has defended numerous CEQA challenges to a variety of public entity approvals of Environmental Impact Reports. He has also defended numerous public entities in constitutional challenges to ordinances, and public officials in contested elections.  In addition, he has served as special and co-defense counsel for the City of Inglewood against various challenges to the Los Angeles Clippers arena.  Mr. Gridley’s representation has also included the defense of teachers in civil and disciplinary disputes, as well as doctors, dentists and medical supply companies in medical malpractice cases in insurance defense breach of contract and bad faith claims and real estate brokers and attorneys in professional negligence claims.  He has also represented product manufacturers and premises owners in personal injury and toxic tort cases.

Mr. Gridley has appeared in cases in Superior Courts in nine California counties, the California Court of Appeal and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.

As an entrepreneur, Mr. Gridley has been President of several companies serving the entertainment industry, has produced theatrical productions in Los Angeles and New York, owned a restaurant and owned three clothing companies.  For the legal community, he has been a speaker at professional seminars in California, Nevada and Florida.

Mr. Gridley is an active alumnus and member of support organizations for the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin and Grove City College.  For eight years he was President of the Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church where he now serves as an Elder of the church.