Experience
Legal Expertise
Representing employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies (e.g. NLRB, EEOC, DLSE) in virtually all labor and employment areas (wage/hour class actions, discrimination, wrongful termination, privacy, and other emerging torts). Providing advice and strategic planning for personnel policies, force reductions, and difficult personnel decisions (e.g. discharges, promotions, mergers and acquisitions). Representation in all labor matters, including union avoidance, organizing drives, labor disputes, and collective bargaining.
Representative Matters
- Represented eight major motion picture studios in industry-wide wage/hour class action.
- On behalf of Fortune 100 company, obtained defense verdict and award of attorneys' fees in excess of $100,000 against plaintiff in discrimination and whistleblower action, following one month jury trial.
- Successfully represented NYSE Company in defeating a major "corporate campaign" organizing effort by labor union, which included wage/hour litigation, unfair labor practice charges, publicity initiatives, and other organizing tactics.
- Oral argument before the California Supreme Court (as amicus) in Scott v. PG&E.
- Appearance before the California Supreme Court (as amicus) in Cortez v. Purolator Products, Yanowitz v. L'Oreal, and Sullivan v. Oracle Corp.
- Previously served as a regular columnist on employment law for the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Honors & Awards
- “Who’s Who Legal: Labour & Employment 2015," Who’s Who Legal (2015)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of:
- Employment Law - Management (2011-2021)
- Labor Law - Management (2011-2021)
- Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2021)
- 2021 Lawyer of the Year
- "Top 5% of lawyers in Southern California," Southern California Super Lawyers (2004-2017)
- AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Professional, Business and civic Affiliations
- Chairman, Labor Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar
- California State Bar, Labor Law Section
- American Bar Association, Committee on Individual Employee Rights and Responsibilities
- Magic Castle
Other Career Experience
- Judicial Extern to the Honorable Malcolm M. Lucas
Headlines
Headlines
- August 15, 2019
- August 15, 2018
- August 15, 2017
- January 20, 2017
- August 22, 2016
- January 20, 2016
- August 2015
- November 21, 2014
- August 2014
- January 2014
- August 15, 2013
- January 2013
- August 24, 2012
- January 23, 2012
- August 31, 2011
- January 25, 2011
- November 15, 2010
- August 19, 2010
- January 26, 2010
- August 3, 2009
- January 30, 2009
- September 17, 2008
- January 30, 2008
- December 28, 2007
Publications
- California Labor Letter
- California Labor Letter
Client Alerts
Events & Speaking Engagements
- February 1, 2016
- Written Employment Agreements
- Mandatory Arbitration of Statutory Claims in the Unionized Work Place
- February 1, 2016
- January 2013
- March 21, 2012
- December 5, 2003
- October 14, 2001
Admissions
- California, 1982
- U.S. District Court
- Central District of California, 1982
- Northern District of California, 1983
- Southern District of California, 1983
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 1982
- Ninth Circuit
Education
University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D., 1982; Order of the Coif
Southern California Law Review; Recipient, Legion Lex Scholarship
University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., 1978; cum laude