Local lawyers pitted against one another

Two attorneys based in Costa Mesa made opposing arguments in high-profile Angels team name trial.Two Costa Mesa attorneys went head to head during the lengthy, high-profile battle over the name of the Angels baseball team that concluded Thursday in Orange County Superior Court.

A jury ruled that the Angels owner did not violate a contract with the city of Anaheim when Los Angeles was incorporated into the team’s name. The city of Anaheim sued the baseball team in January 2005.

Longtime Angels fan Andy Guilford, who works at a Costa Mesa law firm, represents the city of Anaheim.

“This was the trial that has meant the most to me,” Guilford said. “I care about baseball; I care about the community I care about the Angels.”

As long as the Angels are named after Los Angeles, Guilford said he won’t go to another Angels game.

“It just hurts to see a team playing there named after Los Angeles,” Guilford said.

Todd Theodora works for a different Costa Mesa law firm and represents the Angels.

“I’m pleased with the outcome and even more pleased that I get to go back to spending more time with my family,” said Theodora, who’s been a California resident for more than 10 years.

For both lawyers, the month-long trial was a taxing experience.

“It’s an all-consuming endeavor, and you find yourself literally thinking about the case from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed and many times in the middle of the night as well,” Theodora said.

Neither Guilford nor Theodora are strangers to high-profile cases. Theodora was part of the team that represented Monica Lewinsky; Guilford was once involved in a lawsuit against radio show host Laura Schlessinger.

“I really don’t go about my business any differently if it’s a case receiving much media attention,” Theodora said.

Guilford said he enjoys the challenge of a high-stakes trial.

“It gets the juices flowing,” Guilford said. “Whenever I’m in trial I am totally focused and committed -- it’s a constant reminder that there’s a lot at stake and the results are important.”

For the city of Anaheim, the case isn’t over yet; there are still some options, Guilford said.

At a hearing scheduled for March 2, Guilford said his team will ask the judge for an injunction -- an order that could restore Anaheim to the team’s name.

“We’ve insisted that Anaheim be included in the name as the only geographic reference,” Guilford said.