Discrimination:
Employment discrimination is prohibited by both state and federal law. It is an unlawful employment practice under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for an employer to refuse to hire a person, or to discharge a person from employment, or to discriminate against a person in compensation or in the terms, conditions or privileges of employment because of that person's race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation of any person.
Sexual Harassment:
Both California and federal law define sexual harassment as unwanted sexual conduct. This includes situations where the employment is conditioned, expressly or impliedly, on the submission to unwelcome sexual advances (quid pro quo harassment), as well as sexual harassment based on a "hostile work environment." This occurs when the employee's work environment is made unreasonably hostile and abusive by sexually harassing comments or conduct.
Whistleblower Claims:
Whistleblower claims involve an employee who objects to an employer's conduct that is unlawful, or violates a statute or regulation and then is subjected to an adverse employment action as a result of either complaining to the employer, or to an outside agency. Adverse actions include receiving a demotion, reduction in pay, or termination. There are many types of whistleblower claims and a number of statutes that protect employees from retaliation. For instance, California Labor Code §1102.5 states that an employer may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of state or federal statutes or regulations. California Business & Professions Code §510 protects health care professionals against retaliation for advocating for appropriate health care for patients.
Business Litigation:
This encompasses any type of disputes that may arise for a business, including payment disputes, breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, joint venture disputes and defending liability claims.
Real Estate Litigation:
This includes any dispute with respect to real property, including breach of contract, failure to disclose concealed defects, boundary line disputes, easement disputes, landslide and land subsidence disputes and nuisance claims.
Property Damage:
This includes damage to property that must be adjusted through insurance carrier, as well as defending claims when it is alleged that the client damaged another's property. Property damage can occur in a number of ways, including fire, flooding, trespass, landslide and land subsidence.
Personal Injury:
Personal injury claims arise when an individual is injured through the negligence or intentional misconduct of another person. This can arise in vehicular accidents, bicycle accidents, slip-and-falls and products liability claims, to name a few.
Elder Abuse Law:
These claims can arise as a result of the physical or financial abuse of senior citizens. Many nursing homes are understaffed, resulting in claims of neglect and abuse.
Psychotherapy Law:
Mental health professionals, including Marriage-Family Therapists (MFT), psychiatrists and psychologists, are held to a high standard of conduct when treating their patients due to the "transference" phenomenon. Despite this fact, there are an alarming number of incidents of sexual contact, which is absolutely prohibited, between therapists and patients. Other forms of therapist malpractice include failure to contain the therapeutic relationship within professional boundaries and providing treatment that falls within the standard of care of professional conduct.
Child Abuse Reporting Law:
Failure to report child abuse, including sexual abuse, by required reporters such as teachers and health care professionals, is a violation of the law and can result in tragic consequences for a child.
Wrongful Death:
A wrongful death claim arises when an individual dies as a result of the negligence or intentional misconduct of a third-party. A legal action for wrongful death can be filed by the victim's immediate family members.
