On June 9, 2025, Commercial Bank of California (CBCal), along with certain current and former officers and employees, achieved a complete victory in a series of lawsuits brought by the bank’s former referral partner, National Merchants Association, Inc. (NMA) and its CEO, Heather Altepeter. The litigation started years ago when NMA brought its initial lawsuit asserting claims for breach of contract, unfair business practices, and promissory fraud against CBCal. That suit was dismissed on the eve of trial and NMA’s principal, Ms. Altepeter filed a new action against CBCal in her own name in 2022.

Rome LLP was brought in to co-counsel with CBCal’s existing defense counsel in 2024. Attorneys Eugene Rome and Sridavi Ganesan led Rome LLP’s efforts, reorienting discovery, taking key depositions, bringing necessary motions, and ultimately reframing CBCal and the co-defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Backed by Rome LLP’s depth of industry insight and experience representing financial institutions and payment industry stakeholders, the team delivered a winning strategic defense. Their work culminated in a complete defense victory when the presiding Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejected every single one of Altepeter’s claims and, on June 9, 2025, just weeks before trial, dismissed the entire case on summary judgment.