Representative Engagements

Representative Trials

• Abney v. California State University Northridge, LASC jury trial (2010).  Obtained a jury defense verdict in retaliation/sexual harassment case and judgment not withstanding verdict on remaining breach of contract claim.  Plaintiff took nothing.
• Douglas v. Belinkoff, LASC jury trial (1988).  Obtained a jury defense verdict for owner of accounting firm accused by his secretary of sexual harassment.
• Egghead Software v. Software House, LASC bench trial (1995).  Obtained immediate injunctive relief against competitor who misappropriated trade secrets, forcing early stipulated settlement; prosecuted remaining claims against individual defendant in a bench trial.
• Westor Associates v. Shurgard, USDC bench trial (1989-90).  Obtained defense verdict in construction litigation dispute; successfully defended verdict on appeal to Ninth Circuit.

Representative Wage & Hour Cases

• Burnside v. Kiewit Pacific Co., San Diego Superior Court (2009).  Defended wage/hour class action lawsuit.  Settled on very favorable terms, pre-trial.
• Coleman v. Claire’s Boutiques, Los Angeles Superior Court (2007-2008).  Defended wage/hour class action lawsuit.  Settled on very favorable terms after filing motion for summary judgment. 
• Ridley v. Friar Tux Shops, Inc., Los Angeles Superior Court (2007-2008).  Defended tuxedo rental company against claims that it forced its employees to work through meal and rest breaks and “off the clock.”  Resolved by settlement. 
• Beller v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Labor Commissioner of California (2007).  Defeated former employee’s claim that employer owed him additional wages pursuant to employer’s annual incentive award program.
• Mansouri v. Mahtab, Incorporated, Los Angeles Superior Court (2004-2006).  Defeated class certification in case brought by car wash workers alleging they were forced to work “off the clock” and were denied meal and rest periods.  Remaining single-plaintiff case then settled for a very low amount.
• Frederick’s of Hollywood Overtime Cases, JCCP 4397, coordinated in Santa Clara County Superior Court (2004-2005).  The original case (Lucero v. Frederick’s of Hollywood) was filed in Santa Clara County alleging nationwide misclassification of store managers and failure to provide meal and rest periods.  Successfully demurred to nationwide class allegations, reducing the case to California employees only.  Later settled the three consolidated actions on very favorable terms.
• White v. Frazee Paint & Wallcovering, and Oh v. Frazee Industries, Inc., coordinated in Los Angeles County Superior Court (2003-2005).  Obtained favorable settlement of coordinated actions concerning exempt status of retail paint store managers.
• Olivas v. Smart & Final, Inc., Orange County Superior Court (2002-2003).  Defended retailer against charges that it forced non-exempt employees to work “off the clock.”

Presentations

• Co-Moderator, “California Workplace Solutions Breakout Session,” 2010 Advanced Labor and Employment Law Conference, Seyfarth Shaw (November 10, 2010)
• Presenter “Wellness Programs and EEO Legal Framework,” Employment Roundtable of Southern California (November 4, 2010)
• “The California Employment Environment: Dealing With the Agencies - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” Seyfarth Shaw California Workplace Solutions Webinar Series (August 19, 2010)
• “Operating in a Challenging Economy: Creating Efficiencies, Process Improvements and Predictability in Commercial and Employment Litigation,” ACCA-SoCal (July 15, 2009)
• “Preparing, Defending & Cross-Examining Experts,”Public Counsel Law Center (December 17, 2008)
• “Labor & Employment Issues of Business Restructuring and RIFs,” ACC-So. California (April 30, 2008)
• “Roundtable – Extreme Company Makeover:  Labor & Employment Issues of Business Restructuring and Reductions-in-Force,”ACCA-SoCal, Costa Mesa, CA (2008)
• “Pre-Trial Preparation Basics,” Public Counsel, Los Angeles, CA (2006)
• “Workplace Retaliation:  Don’t Shoot the Complainer,” ILRU (a project of Memorial Hermann TIRR) (July 12, 2006)
• Featured Guest, “Sexual Harassment Law Expanded in California, Which Way L.A.?” with Warren Olney, KCRW 89.9 FM (July 25, 2005)
• “Practical Tips for Successful HR Management in California,” Lorman Education Services, Irvine, CA (2004)
• “How to Lawfully Conduct an Internal Investigation,” Sterling Education Services, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (2003)
• “Privacy in the Workplace,” Sterling Education Services, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (2003)
  Numerous in-house trainings for clients and law firms on recognizing and avoiding sexual harassment (2003-2007)

Publications

• Co-Author, “Proposition 8 Overturned in California -- What Does This Mean for Employers?” ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Committee News Newsletter (Summer 2010)
• Author, “For Employers, Payback’s A Cinch,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (October 24, 2008)
• Quoted, “Workers Win Major Court Ruling,” Los Angeles Times (August 31, 2007)
• “Employers Must Guard Against Perception of Retaliation,” National Disability Law Reporter Compliance Bulletin (May 12, 2006)
• Quoted, “Case Puts Spotlight on Office Affairs,” Los Angeles Times (July 24, 2005)
• “Practical Tips for Successful HR Management in California,” Lorman Education Services, Irvine, CA (2004)
• “How to Lawfully Conduct an Internal Investigation,” Sterling Education Services, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (2003)
• “Privacy in the Workplace,” Sterling Education Services, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (2003)

Honors

• Named one of the Nation's Top 100 Employment Lawyers for 2010, by Human Resource Executive Magazine
• Selected as a National Finalist by Lawdragon.com for the Leading Lawyers in America (2010)
• Named to 2007 and 2009 list of Southern California SuperLawyers, published by Law & Politics and Los Angeles magazine.