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PProfessional Experience
The majority of Ms. Powers´ practice is spent defending complex multi-party litigation including consumer class actions and large consolidated personal injury and property damage cases. Ms. Powers´ practice focuses on litigation involving unfair business practice claims, false advertising, contract, real estate, products liability, environmental contamination, toxic torts, and general commercial litigation matters. She has represented companies in the telecommunications, oil, defense, waste management and film industries in state and federal courts and in front of administrative bodies.
Currently representing major wireless telecommunications carrier in defense of California class actions involving taxes on wireless services.
Obtained voluntary dismissal of class action law suit alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act against major wireless telecommunications carrier through presentation of evidence demonstrating failure of class and individual claims.
Represented major wireless telecommunications carrier in class action law suit alleging false advertising and failure to comply with rebate program terms. Obtained voluntary dismissal of all claims through presentation of evidence demonstrating plaintiff was not appropriate class representative.
Represented major defense industry contractor in defense of 270 toxic tort claims stemming from historical rocket testing facility groundwater contamination. Obtained successful resolution and relative de minimis settlement after demonstration of fate & transport issues through ground water modeling.
Non-suit after plaintiffs´ case in chief in groundwater contamination trial involving property damage claims.
Successfully resolved 900 plaintiff air contamination toxic tort case for oil refinery after obtaining dismissals of all but 78 plaintiffs.
Presentations & Speeches
"Uniquely American? Class Action Litigation in the United States," The Challenges of American Litigation? A Primer for Japanese Legal Staff Managing Litigation in the United States (Speaker), Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Temple University, Tokyo, Japan (December 2007);
"The Future of Class Action Litigation In America" (program Co-Chair), Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Washington D.C. (2005 and 2007);
"The State of the Union: Domestic Climate Change Initiatives," Global Warming: How the Law Can Best Address Climate Change, (Panelist) Standing Committee On Environmental Law of the American Bar Association, 35th National Spring Conference on the Environment, Baltimore, MD, June 8, 2007;
"The Future of Class Action Litigation In America" (program Co-Chair) Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Washington D.C. (2005);
"Groundwater Contamination: Regulation and Effects of MTBE and Contaminants In Groundwater; Class Actions for Groundwater Claims" (Panelist) Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee Spring Meeting, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Phoenix, AZ (March 2004);
The Life of An Invention: From Cradle to Class Action" (Program Chair & Panelist), American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (August 2004);
"Mold Litigation and Other Emerging Issues in Toxic Tort and Environmental Law" (Program Chair) Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee Spring Meeting, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Phoenix, AZ (March 2003);
"Emerging Toxic Torts: Perchlorate, Mercury, Children´s Sensitivity, Mold and More" (Panelist) Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee Spring Meeting, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Phoenix, AZ (March 2002).
Awards & Honors
"Top 75 California Women Litigators" California Daily Journal
"Overall Excellence Recognition Award" as Chair of the Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association
Education
University of Wisconsin, cum laude, J.D., 1994
Associate Editor, University of Wisconsin International Law Journal, 1992-1994
Oberlin College, B.A., 1988
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
-Standing Committee on Environmental Law, Member
-Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee, past Chair
2008 MidYear Meeting Arrangement, Chair
Public Relations Committee, Chair Elect
Business Litigation Committee, Vice Chair
California Bar Association - admitted 1994
Wisconsin Bar Association - admitted 1994
Los Angeles County Bar Association
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