Client Results - Employment Law

Employment Counseling

• Special counsel for regulatory compliance on FMLA, reasonable accommodation issues for public employer with over 2,000 employees

• Lead counsel in structuring and implementing Reductions in Force for both public and private employers

• Lead counsel in defending employer and prior officers of company against wage claims brought on behalf of former employees by federal Department of Labor and California Labor Commissioner's Office

• Lead counsel in discipline, termination, post-termination grievance procedures, and appeals by public employees against special districts

• Development of Employee Handbooks, Executive Employment Contracts, Employee Severance Agreements, Change in Control Agreements, Compensation Plans, and Indemnification Agreements

• Development of Trade Secrets and Confidentiality Agreements, Employee Leasing Agreements, Independent Contractor Agreements, and Vendor Agreements

• Investigator for claims of sexual harassment against President of multi-billion dollar private company

• Investigator for claims of sexual harassment against publicly elected officials of special districts

• Counsel for management in negotiation of Memorandum of Understanding between public employer and union

Employment Litigation

• Associate counsel in successful defense of private employer in California state court against a claim for wrongful termination in violation of public policy and whistleblower statutes

• Defended employers against claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement

• Pacheco v. Prison Industry Authority:  Summary judgment on behalf of California Prison Industry Authority in state court matter involving causes of action for whistleblower retaliation under both the Labor and Government Codes, violation of public policy, and gender discrimination, resulting in dismissal of each cause of action.  The decision was subsequently affirmed by the Third District Court of Appeals.

• Turlock Irrigation District Technical Employees Association v. Turlock Irrigation District, PERB Decision No. 1896-M:  Dismissal of unfair practice charge alleging violations of the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act; dismissal upheld in an opinion of the Public Employment Relations Board.

• Rodriguez v. Praxair Distribution, Inc.:  Assisted in obtaining summary judgment on behalf of employer in federal court action involving claims of disability discrimination and failure to engage in the interactive process. 

• Obtained dismissal of FEHA claims based on plaintiff's failure to comply with administrative prerequisites.

• As lead litigation counsel, successfully defended numerous sexual harassment actions in both state and federal court.

• Resolved numerous harassment and discrimination cases as lead counsel before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment & Housing, thereby helping clients avoid the expenses associated with litigation. 

• Prosecuted numerous actions in matters arising under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and unfair competition laws.

• As lead counsel, defended and obtained favorable resolutions in numerous public access lawsuits filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

• Defended and resolved actions involving workers compensation discrimination before the workers' compensation appeals board.