Laura C. Riparbelli

Attorney

55 South Market St., Suite 900
San Jose, CA 95113

408-947-2440 | 408-287-2583
laura.riparbelli@hogefenton.com
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Main Bio
Affiliation & Awards
Representative Experience
Speaking & Publications

Main Bio

Practice Overview

Laura Riparbelli is an experienced trial lawyer with a strong track record in litigation, including two jury trials to verdict, three bench trials, and one arbitration. She aggressively litigates in a wide range of practice areas, including business disputes, professional liability, employment, and real estate. Laura also represents attorneys in California State Bar disciplinary proceedings. Laura handles all aspects of litigation, from initial pleadings and discovery disputes, to depositions, dispositive motions, and trial advocacy.

Background

A graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law, Laura was an Honors Moot Court Semi-Finalist and named Best Oral Advocate in the preliminary rounds. She was a volunteer at the Katharine & George Alexander Workers’ Rights Clinic, and received a Pro Bono Recognition Award, in part for her work with Catholic Charities where she assisted individuals seeking U.S. citizenship. Laura obtained her undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University, earning a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Italian.

Laura is a founding member of the firm’s DEIB committee, committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Laura’s past legal experience includes representing clients against educational institutions for violations of Title IX, including sexual assault and harassment victims.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, Dean’s List
B.A., Political Science (and Italian minor), Loyola Marymount University, cum laude

Admissions

California
U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court of the Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Affiliation & Awards

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Member, Board of Directors, San Jose Downtown Association (2023 – present)
Board Member, Santa Clara University School of Law’s Center for Social Justice and Public Service Advisory Board (2022 – 2024)
Co-Chair, The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Barristers Litigation Section (2022 – 2023)
Member, The Honorable William A. Ingram American Inn of Court (2017 to present)
Member, Litigation Section of the State Bar of California

Awards

Laura was named a “Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Star” from 2021-2025. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor through a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.

Laura Riparbelli

Rated by Super Lawyers

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Representative Experience

Second chaired a several months long jury trial representing a lawyer accused of legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud arising from an underlying real estate dispute. The plaintiff sought tens of millions of dollars in damages, including punitive damages. The jury rendered a verdict in our client’s favor, resulting in a complete victory, including the entry of a judgment for costs for our client.
Represented real estate developer client in fraud action against former business partner in arbitration, resulting in complete victory for client.
Second chaired a lengthy jury trial representing a law firm sued by a former client for legal malpractice arising from an underlying elder abuse case. The former client sought millions of dollars in damages, including punitive damages. The jury rendered a verdict entirely in the law firm’s favor, including awarding the firm unpaid fees owed by the former client, resulting in a judgment that included an award of attorney fees and costs in law firm’s favor.
Successfully moved for summary judgment in favor of a law firm sued for legal malpractice following the allegedly insufficient settlement of an underlying personal injury action. Plaintiff appealed to the Sixth District Court of Appeal where Laura presented oral argument on behalf of law firm; the Appellate Court affirmed the grant of summary judgment in law firm client’s favor.
Represented client in partition action concerning real property, successfully completing two bench trials, and resulting in complete victory for client (including an award of attorney fees).