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Experience
Counsel and represent private and public employers in defense of employment litigation including claims for sexual harassment, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, retaliation, breach of employment contract, whistle-blowing, fraud, defamation and various claims of discrimination.
Represents public entities during internal employee appeals of discipline and termination actions.
Advise a variety of public and private employers regarding employee leaves, wage and hour issues, discrimination and harassment policies, privacy issues, trade secret protection, severance agreements, and employment agreements.
Brought a trade secrets claim on behalf of a dentist against his independent contractor who misappropriated his customer list. Obtained a preliminary injunction prohibiting further use of the list and requiring that the list be returned. Assisted in negotiating a favorable settlement.
Defended employee and new employer in a trade secrets matter, obtaining complete, voluntary dismissal of the case against them.
Prevailed on summary judgment against two employees who brought whistleblower claims against a public entity client. Obtained a full award of defense costs on the ground that suit was brought in bad faith and without good cause. Case settled favorably on appeal.
Assisted in defending private trucking firms against class action overtime and meal and rest period claims, including trial of the DOT exemption to the California Wage Orders.
Successfully appealed overtime claims awarded by the Labor Commissioner on behalf of a variety of private employers.
Successfully arbitrated a wrongful termination claim based on an employment contract on behalf of an employer. Obtained award of defense costs.
Assisted in successfully defending an appeal of an age discrimination suit against a community college. The defense verdict was upheld.
Domesticated a Canadian divorce decree and obatined a domestic QDRO partitioning U.S. retirement benefits. Also obtained an attorney fee award.
Assisted in the representation of an owner in a construction dispute with the general contractor. Succeeded in obtaining dismissal of a bank that claimed a security interest in the construction contract and an assignment of the proceeds. The claim against the general contractor was favorably settled prior to jury selection. Obtained award of defense costs and attorneys' fees, which was affirmed on appeal.
Assisted in litigating and arbitrating a suit on behalf of a general contractor who was terminated from a construction project without cause.
Assisted in a three week arbitration on behalf of a public entity for claims including breach of a golf-course lease. Successfully defended against Cross-claims exceeding $5,000,000, ultimately prevailing on entity's breach of lease claim.
Successfully assisted bank in foreclosing against manufacturing plant after loan default. Foreclosure involved mixed real and personal property.
Prosecuted a writ of mandate against the California Department of Social Services where a client was denied in-home protective services. After full services were reinstated, negotiated a monetary settlement.
Assisted in the representation of a City challenging water quality permits. Succeeded in preventing various environmental groups from intervening in the suit. The City ultimately prevailed.
Assisted in the defense of a public entity in a dispute over an easement. Case favorably settled during the pendancy of summary judgment motion.
MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Member
Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Member
State Bar of California, Litigation Section, Member
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Admitted to Practice
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Admitted to Practice
EDUCATION
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (J.D., Graduated with Great Distinction; Order of the Coif, 1999)
Dominican College of San Rafael, California (B.A., magna cum laude, 1989 ).
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