Sterling Cluff works in Baron & Budd’s Los Angeles office, where he takes on large-scale litigation as a member of the Firm’s class action practice. He brings an astute knowledge of complex California commercial, consumer and real estate law to our expert team.

Prior to joining Baron & Budd, Sterling Cluff worked in the Class Action and Commercial Litigation practice groups of a Los Angeles boutique law firm. There, he was exposed to complex commercial and real estate litigation, consumer claims and high-profile class action lawsuits involving millions of plaintiffs. In the process of defending large national class actions, Sterling Cluff saw firsthand how defendants can take advantage of individual consumers and the benefit that individuals gain in their fight against formidable corporations by banding together to form classes with the force of “what’s right” behind them. Mr. Cluff’s experience re-ignited his desire to help people who have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous corporations obtain just reparation for their distress.

During his undergraduate studies, Sterling Cluff was a witness to the overreach of authorities imposing their will on an individual, despite a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, by pressing exaggerated and superfluous charges, issuing arrest warrants and conducting redundant and harassing searches. The overbearing actions of the prosecuting agency, which caused anguish and hardship for the individual and his family, brought home to Mr. Cluff the importance of having skilled and aggressive advocacy to protect individuals’ rights. This formative experience instilled in Mr. Cluff a keen desire to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected.

During law school, Sterling Cluff was fortunate to work on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for Judge Arthur L. Alarcon, Sen., prior to his retirement. Judge Alarcon instilled in all of his clerks and externs strong ethics and a high regard for professionalism, with the goal of ensuring that every person coming before the court receive proper justice. Mr. Cluff heeded Judge Alcaron’s mandate to use his legal training to ensure that individuals were not taken advantage of by powerful entities and were justly compensated when entities overstepped the boundary of legal business conduct. Throughout his career, these life events have intensified Sterling Cluff’s drive to protect his clients from unprincipled individuals and ruthless corporations and to aggressively and efficiently pursue compensation for the harm they inflict.

After a full day at work, Sterling Cluff enjoys surfing in summer and snowboarding in winter. When he is at home, he likes to spend time in his garden growing vegetables and native California plants.

Education

Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, B.A., 2005, Politics

Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California, J.D., 2009

Bar and Court Admissions

California State Bar

United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central Districts of California

United States District Court for the District of Colorado

Awards

500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers (Lawdragon, 2024)