(Los Angeles, CA)–March 27, 2026 –Wade Litigation’s Steve Derby secured yet another victory when he obtained a dismissal in the Gulf Harbor Investments v. Melo case held in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The dismissal was procured after Derby exposed critical flaws in the plaintiff’s claims, which led to the dismissal of the case. The case arose from a second mortgage issued in 2006 by INDYMAC FSB, which later failed during the 2008 financial crisis. More than a decade later, Gulf Harbor Investments sued Derby's clients, claiming it had acquired the lender's rights to the defaulted mortgage and the right to pursue foreclosure.
Derby challenged the plaintiff’s claim that it had acquired the lender's rights. When Derby propounded discovery, he ultimately had to file a motion for sanctions and to compel compliance because the plaintiff failed to provide the requested documentation. When the court granted Derby’s motion, that was a key step in collapsing the plaintiff’s case.
Once the Purchase and Sale Agreement was produced, it became clear that the plaintiff had no legal basis to pursue its claims. Derby then filed a motion for sanctions, giving the plaintiff a deadline to either dismiss the lawsuit or face potential sanctions. Fearing sanctions, the plaintiff dismissed the case one day before the statutory deadline.
Steve Derby was assisted by paralegal Stephanie Stacey in securing the dismissal. “The entire basis of this company’s claim was a lie, but they would have gotten away with it if it had not been challenged by aggressive and tenacious legal representation,” said Derby.
About Wade Litigation
Wade Litigation is a law firm that specializes in Family law, business litigation and probate litigation. The firm is committed to providing superior services while building client relationships and achieving client satisfaction second to none. The firm’s clients include companies and individuals involved in civil litigation, family law disputes, and probate disputes.