Employment Law
I have handled employment law cases for over 35 years. My experience extends from reviewing offers of employment and employment agreements to preparing and filing claims with State and Federal agencies related to employment discrimination based upon race, national origin, age, gender, sexual harassment, religion, and mental or physical disabilities. When warranted and retained, I drafted complaints and filed them in State or Federal Court regarding employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, failure to promote, constructive discharge, fraud and deceit, defamation and libel, and other such causes of action. I have represented clients in employment litigation throughout the phases of litigation, including discovery, law and motion, alternative dispute resolutions including mediation and arbitration, up to jury trial and I have filed appeals and argued before the Appellate Court. I have also represented numerous public entity employees, including federal employees—for example, post office employees—and I have represented them through EEOC proceedings and MSPB hearings before Administrative Law Judges, and filed appeals. I also represent clients with complaints of Labor Code violations including wages, over time and I have represented clients before the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board fighting for unemployment benefits. In the course of representing employees, I have appeared before various Boards and Administrative Law Judges regarding teacher’s licenses, nursing licensing issues, the Board of Dental Examiners, doctors and real estate agents regarding suspension or revocation of their licenses. I have also negotiated countless Settlement Agreements on behalf of my clients in pursuing damages for their employment claims. I have represented departments from municipalities when they believed that their Memorandum of Understanding related to cost of living increases were violated by the City.
Family Law:
I have represented clients in all areas of family law, including petitions for dissolution, custody and child support issues, and negotiated Marital Settlement Agreements. In drafting family law matters, I have also drafted Temporary Restraining Orders and Permanent Restraining Orders on behalf of clients related to the marital dissolution and child visitation issues. I also draft Anti-Nuptial or Pre-Nuptial Agreements which clearly articulate separate property and assets division before marriage. I have also mediated martial settlements regarding property, child custody, and visitation disputes.
Probate:
I have represented and provide guidance through careful estate planning for clients. I have drafted wills and trusts, wills with testamentary trusts, living trusts, amendments and codicils in revising trusts and wills, charitable trusts, trust set up for children and education or for other purposes, and documents regarding deeds of conveyances of real property and other property regarding trusts. I have also mediated probate matters.
Professional Licensing:
As I have described under employment law, I have handled numerous suspension and revocation of licenses for doctors, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, teachers and real estate agents. I have prepared responses to complaints brought before the Administrative Law Judges regarding these professions and I have represented these professionals before their Licensing Boards to defend against the revocation of a license. Many of these cases began with termination because of some employment misconduct, for example, allegedly stealing medications or fraud and embezzlement. The professional who is facing potential revocation of license needs representation at several levels, including potential arguments of employment discrimination and wrongful termination, representation before the State Licensing Board, and representation in certain allegations of criminal matters. I review all facts and documents and put together responses, pleadings, and briefs with an effort to defend or minimize the accusations and I help prepare my clients for rehabilitation and a stronger defense against the accusations to avoid outright revocation. While it is impossible to guarantee results, I have successfully opposed revocation of licenses and obtained other results including suspensions. My objective as an experienced, impassioned, and tenacious attorney is to defend and preserve the rights of my client.
Municipal Law:
I have represented various business owners and individuals regarding land use planning and development before Cities and Counties and other public entities. I have garnered years of experience working for the County Counsel’s Office in Contra Costa County and I was the Assistant City Attorney for So. San Francisco. Land use planning matters have included anything from defending clients who have been accused of violating the municipal code and facing nuisance and abatement proceedings, to assisting landowners and developers in obtaining permits and compliance with numerous requirements including the general plan, and specific planning and building codes and environmental concerns.
Mediation:
With over three and a half decades of experience and expertise as an attorney, in every area of law that I have practiced, I have self-mediated, represented clients at mediation and arbitration, mediated between parties and negotiated settlements in a vast majority of cases. I am also a graduate of Stephen Rosenberg’s Mediation Training. Mr. Rosenberg is a well-known attorney and mediator from Marin County who has been teaching mediation skills to lawyers, judges, professional mediators, and arbitrators and other professionals. I have also mediated cases through a court program in Contra Costa County. I have mediated cases in employment law, family law, probate and I have done so either by self-mediation, or in negotiated settlements between opposing counsel, and in mediation, before mediators. In all areas of law, whether it is employment, probate or family law, I make an effort to listen to the client’s concerns, explain the law, preserve and assert my client’s rights, and negotiate and mediate settlement agreements that save the client unnecessary attorney’s fees and costs.