Grady Howe is an attorney at Call & Jensen whose practice focuses on sexual assault, whistleblower retaliation and discrimination, and defamation litigation, for both plaintiffs and defendants. Licensed in California and Texas, Grady has tried multiple cases to verdict as first- and second-chair trial counsel. He has won complete defense verdicts against damages claims exceeding $100 million and helped obtain seven- and eight-figure recoveries for plaintiffs.

A former UCLA Division I men’s soccer player and winner of the UCLA Scholar-Athlete Award, Grady brings the same competitive intensity and discipline to the courtroom.

Sexual Assault, Battery, and Harassment Grady represents survivors of sexual and physical assault, particularly in religious and workplace settings, and also defends against these claims. His client-first approach combines careful, compassionate client care with aggressive advocacy. His experience includes claims for:

• Sexual battery and sexual assault
• Aiding and abetting sexual battery and assault
• Negligent hiring, retention, and supervision
• Sexual and gender harassment

Whistleblower Retaliation and Discrimination Grady prosecutes and defends whistleblower retaliation and protected-class discrimination claims and has gotten results for both plaintiffs and defendants. His experience includes:

• Whistleblower retaliation
• Disability, gender, and other protected-class discrimination
• Failure to accommodate and failure to engage in the interactive process

Defamation, Anti-SLAPP, and First Amendment Litigation Grady represents individuals and entities in disputes over reputational harm and free speech, including:

• Defamation and libel litigation
• Anti-SLAPP motions
• First Amendment and constitutional matters
• Reputation defense and crisis litigation

Grady also teaches CLE courses on defamation, anti-SLAPP motions, and the First Amendment.

Sports Contract Disputes Grady also handles contract disputes for athletes and athletic programs.

Representative Matters

$12 Million Settlement (September 2026). As lead counsel, Grady represented the plaintiff in Zandi v. Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. She alleged that she was repeatedly sexually and physically assaulted by Jacob Harman, a pastor, during her employment at the church, and that Calvary Chapel ignored repeated warnings about his conduct. Reporter Julie Roys covered the settlement on her podcast and in an article.

Complete Defense Verdict (November 2025). As second chair, Grady helped win a unanimous 12-0 defense verdict for the late Gary Winnick after a three-week jury trial in Beverly Hills Superior Court over an alleged partnership dispute. Pretrial motions excluded the plaintiff’s damages expert, whose model exceeded $100 million, which cut potential exposure to mid-seven figures. The jury reached its verdict in under two hours.

$8.6 Million Verdict (June 2025). After a two-month jury trial, Grady helped win an $8.6 million verdict for a former UC Irvine student and researcher who was sexually harassed, discriminated against, and retaliated against by her tenured faculty supervisor. The jury found both the professor and the Regents of the University of California liable.

Complete Defense Verdict (February 2025). Grady was part of the trial team that won a unanimous defense verdict for loanDepot after a three-week Orange County jury trial on sexual harassment and constructive discharge claims. The plaintiff had demanded mid-eight figures before trial.

Complete Defense Judgment (October 2023). As first chair, Grady won a complete defense judgment in federal court in Harman v. Zotea, Case No. 8:20-ap-01044. His client was sued for $1.8 million over social media posts calling former Calvary Chapel pastor Jacob Harman a “rapist.” The court ruled for Grady’s client on all claims, including the defense that the statements were true.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Background Before joining Call & Jensen, Grady practiced in the litigation department of Troutman Pepper, where he focused on securities class actions and managed-healthcare disputes nationwide.