On July 24, 2026, Weil achieved a victory for Hilton Hotels in a breach of contract dispute with billionaire Sam Hirbod, securing summary judgment after oral argument that awarded Hilton more than $33 million and fully rejected more than a dozen defenses asserted by Hirbod.   

The dispute arose from Hirbod’s former ownership of the Signia by Hilton San Jose hotel in California.  After Hirbod defaulted on the hotel’s mortgage and lost the hotel to foreclosure, he refused to pay any creditors including Hilton.

Hilton pursued an aggressive strategy to secure a prompt judgment by filing suit in the Eastern District of Virginia (known as the “Rocket Docket”), defeating an early motion to dismiss, and moving for summary judgment before discovery had closed.  

In granting Hilton’s motion for summary judgment, the Court rejected Hirbod’s argument that Hilton caused Hirbod’s default on the hotel and losses of more than $230 million.  

The Weil team representing Hilton was led by partners Drew Tulumello, Co-Chair of Weil’s global Litigation Department, and Chantale Fiebig, and the team included Co-Head of Weil’s Real Estate practice Jannelle Seales, counsel Luke Sullivan, and associates Brian Williamson, Adam Mitchell, Jessica Ritchie, and Karen Luo.