HFM Partner Nick Brauns is a tenacious trial attorney, with a successful practice focused on litigating complex commercial disputes and defending a wide range of professionals against malpractice claims. In addition, Mr. Brauns’ practice includes assisting with the investigation and defense of industrial accidents, personal injuries or other catastrophic losses for various companies in the transportation industry (trucking, auto and vertical transportation manufacturers, escalators and elevators).

Mr. Brauns has successfully represented clients through trial and arbitration in commercial and catastrophic loss matters in Southern California. He was selected to the 2021 and 2022 Best Lawyers in America© “Ones to Watch” list for his commercial litigation expertise.  This award highlights the most promising younger lawyers in the country. He was also recognized in the top 3% of his peers as a Super Lawyers® “Rising Star” from 2015 to 2018 and 2021 to 2022 and was a San Diego Daily Transcript’s Top Young Attorney Award Nominee.  He has litigated numerous disputes to verdict, including the following representative matters:

• Commercial Litigation (contract-related claims, real estate disputes, landlord/tenant issues, breach of fiduciary duty claims, fraud and misrepresentation claims, unjust enrichment claims, partnership disputes);
• Transportation Litigation (catastrophic loss incidents involving commercial motor carriers/trucking companies,  charter bus companies, and passenger vehicles).

His work on behalf of commercial clients includes counseling and representation for regulatory issues that impact the trucking and transportation industries.  Mr. Brauns is on standby as part of HFM’s 24/7 Rapid Response Hotline, staffed by a live operator around the clock at (866) 549-9530.  Through his considerable experience in this area, Mr. Brauns is able to determine an immediate response plan, which can be vital to establishing an effective litigation strategy when it is time for trial. Whether your matter involves a catastrophic accident, a freight dispute, or a hazmat spill, Mr. Brauns is available for immediate, on-scene accident and catastrophic loss investigation and representation 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The 24/7 Rapid Response team covers San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Click here to view the complete Rapid Response Map.

Mr. Brauns is a frequent speaker to the defense bar on trial tactics, and presented at the 2019 Association of Southern California Defense Counsel Annual Seminar on the topic of “Everything You Wanted to Know About Biomechanics, but Were Afraid to Ask.” He has also presented at several ALFA International seminars for the Southwestern Region on topics including “reptile” trial tactics and issues of proof on economic damages. He co-authored the article “Life After the Excess Verdict: Two Cases Take Very Different Paths.”