Employment and Labor

Obtained dismissal of Complaint alleging Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations in Illinois state court for a governmental client.

Conducted investigations for multiple clients related to complaints of employment discrimination, harassment and other allegations of conduct related to state and federal discrimination laws in addition to allegations concerning employee misconduct and whistleblower activity. Authored comprehensive investigative reports and executive summaries, and presented to executives and board members.

Won dismissal of a lawsuit brought by two Asian-American nail salon trade groups seeking to prevent New York State from enforcing legislation and regulations requiring nail salon owners to purchase wage bonds as security for any unpaid wages owed to workers.

Successfully defended EEOC charges alleging race and gender discrimination on behalf of private liberal arts college. 

Represented the seller, a manufacturer of specialty home furnishings, in its acquisition by a leading brand aggregator in numerous different consumer products spaces. The sale, for $65 million in cash and equity, represented the buyer’s first acquisition in the home furnishings space. We also provided counsel on employment, employee benefits, tax, patent, and intellectual property aspects of the transaction.

Served as national employment and litigation counsel for staffing company and successfully defended multiple litigation matters (in multiple jurisdictions) and charges of discrimination.

Successfully defended client in the cannabis industry for a claim of wrongful termination.

Representing hotel/casino in multiple claims of wrongful termination.

Successfully represented hotel/casino in multi-plaintiff litigation in which plaintiffs alleged unsafe working conditions and wrongful termination(s).

Obtained a full defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, circuit court for a school district on claims of race and disability discrimination and retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act, and retaliation under Missouri's public employee whistleblower protection statute. The plaintiff, who had been terminated from employment following discovery of time fraud, sought more than $500,000 in damages.

Obtained summary adjudication on Feb. 23, 2022 in San Bernardino County Superior Court for hotel client on claims for age, race, national origin, and disability discrimination, harassment, retaliation in violation of Fair Employment and Housing Act, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, failure to prevent discrimination and harassment, failure to engage in the interactive process, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, breach of implied in fact employment agreement, whistleblower retaliation, and missed meal periods. The only remaining cause of action was for eight weeks of alleged missed rest breaks, and we achieved a favorable settlement.

Obtained dismissal of all claims in Sacramento County Superior Court on Jan. 5, 2022, against a plaintiff, who was first represented by counsel and then represented himself pro per, for facility services client. Plaintiff asserted claims for disability discrimination and harassment, defamation, assault and battery, and failure to pay commissions. After we filed a successful undertaking action, the plaintiff obtained in forma pauperis status and began adding the clients of our client as Doe defendants. We successfully quashed the service of summons on the Doe defendants and moved to declare the plaintiff a vexatious litigant requiring him to post bond, which he failed to do.

Obtained dismissal for a nationwide employer in federal court against claims of discrimination for national origin, race, religion and sex, as well as retaliation.

Represented aerospace manufacturer in class action alleging violations to meal period policy. Settlement on the matter was reached on the eve of trial.