Patricia Brum, a Brazilian native, is a business litigator with extensive experience representing companies (both large and small) in cross-border disputes and consumer class action matters. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Patricia worked for more than 15 years as an international trade specialist with a variety of public organizations, as well as several private companies. In that capacity, she traveled to over 40 countries and lived in Mexico, Argentina, Canada and China until she ultimately relocated to the United States in 2002. Patricia draws upon her diverse and multi-cultural background to strategically help companies resolve their cross-border disputes.
Patricia’s practice is also focused on representing companies in the defense of consumer class actions, including claims asserted under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices and Deceptive Trade practices statutes. Amongst her clients are some of America’s largest financial institutions.
Patricia is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. She serves as the co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s LGBTQ+ affinity group (SNELLGBTQ), and she sits on the board of the USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association where she has helped raise over $500,000 for scholarships to LGBTQ+ students. Patricia is also committed to fostering creative thinking in children in underserved communities through art education. She is an officer and board member of Inner City Arts, an organization that has been nationally recognized for its work with at-risk youth in Skid Row, Los Angeles.
In addition to co-chairing SNELLGBTQ, Patricia is the co-editor of the firm's Global Connection Newsletter. She is a member of the Brazil California Chamber of Commerce and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Patricia completed her undergraduate degree in International Relations and International Business at the Universidade de Brasilia in Brazil. She completed her MBA at the University of Southern California and her JD at Southwestern University School of Law.
Cross-Border Matters
Represented a publicly traded South American company in a commercial dispute in excess of $70 million
Represented manufacturers in several industries including coffee, natural and engineered stones, drywall, aluminum, and cement in structuring and establishing operation in the United States
Experience working with over 200 companies in the building materials and supply industry, including importers, distributors and fabricators/installers
Represented an American company in a breach of contract claim against a Spanish/Portuguese manufacturer
Represented a Japanese video-game company in commercial, employment and intellectual property disputes
Commercial Litigation
Represented former employee against a claim for trade secret violation in excess of $100 million
Represented corporation against alleged breach of shareholder agreement with damages in excess of $30 million
Represented corporation in suit against former shareholder for trade secret violations, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of the separation and non-compete agreements
Class Action Work/TCPA
Represented several companies in class action suits for violation of the Telephonic Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) filed in California and several other states including, Florida, Georgia, New York and New Jersey
Represented employers in class action suits for wage and hour claims
Represented companies against consumer class action suits for false advertising, unfair trade practices, and debt collection practices
HOA Law
Drafted over 100 Governing Documents for HOAs, including CC&Rs, ByLaws, Rules and Regulations, and Elections Rules
Advised over 50 HOAs regarding interpretation of maintenance responsibilities arising from their Governing Documents and the Davis-Stirling Act
Represented the majority homeowners of an HOA in Board Recall proceedings and dispute involving emergency assessment
Representation of board members and homeowners’ associations in breach of fiduciary duties claims
Cannabis
Represented a publicly traded Canadian cannabis corporation in pre-litigation claims of alleged violations of securities law
Represented cannabis company in a lawsuit arising from breach of bond and sales agreement in connection with transfers of cannabis licenses
Represented cannabis corporation against claims for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract asserted by investors
Southwestern Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 2014)
University of Southern California (MBA, Finance, 2006)
University of Brasilia (B.A., Business and International Relations, 1999)
ProVisors, Member (2021-Present)
Inner-City Arts
Board of Directors
Member (2020-Present)
Officer, Secretary (2022-Present)
Community Association Institute (2014-Present)
Publications Committee Member (2018-2021)
Legislative Committee Member (2018)
Brazil California Chamber of Commerce (2019-Present)
University of Southern California Lambda LGBT Alumni Association
Board of Directors, Member (2019-Present)
Global Connection Newsletter, Co-Editor (October 2019-Present)
"Law License: How Undocumented Immigrants Can Make Their "American Dream" Reach as Far as the Practice of Law," Author, Southwestern Law Review (2014)
Presentations
“Diversity in the Workplace: How Industry Leaders Have Successfully Implemented DEI Programs,” USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association’s Panel Facilitator, USC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Week (March 9, 2021)
"Inn of Court: SLAPP statute – Is that SLAPPable?" Panelist, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Southern California Business Litigators Section (February 2018)
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