Experience

Defense Verdict in Discrimination, Retaliation Case

Obtained a defense verdict in a Jackson County, Missouri jury trial on claims of race, gender, and national origin discrimination and retaliation. The plaintiff alleged that she did not receive a new contract as a school vice principal after making complaints of retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act.

Dismissal for Government Client on FOIA Claims

Obtained dismissal of Complaint alleging Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations in Illinois state court for a governmental client.

Summary Judgment for Fortune 100 Company on MHRA Claims

Obtained summary judgment on Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) claims in state court for a Fortune 100 company based on untimeliness and failure to exhaust administrative remedies.

Handled Multiple Investigations of Employment Discrimination, Employee Misconduct and Whistleblower Conduct

Conducted investigations for multiple clients related to complaints of employment discrimination, harassment and other allegations of conduct related to state and federal discrimination laws in addition to allegations concerning employee misconduct and whistleblower activity. Authored comprehensive investigative reports and executive summaries, and presented to executives and board members.

Successfully Defended College in Discrimination Case Before the EEOC

Successfully defended EEOC charges alleging race and gender discrimination on behalf of private liberal arts college.

Defense Verdict for Fortune 500 Logistics Company in Race Discrimination Case

Served as lead counsel in jury trial where the jury returned a defense verdict for Fortune 500 client in Title VII race discrimination case.

$65 Million Sale of Specialty Home Furnishings Business

Represented the seller, a manufacturer of specialty home furnishings, in its acquisition by a leading brand aggregator in numerous different consumer products spaces. The sale, for $65 million in cash and equity, represented the buyer’s first acquisition in the home furnishings space. We also provided counsel on employment, employee benefits, tax, patent, and intellectual property aspects of the transaction.

Obtained Defense Verdict for School District on Discrimination, Retaliation Claims

Obtained a full defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, circuit court for a school district on claims of race and disability discrimination and retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act, and retaliation under Missouri's public employee whistleblower protection statute. The plaintiff, who had been terminated from employment following discovery of time fraud, sought more than $500,000 in damages.

Defeated Class Certification in Labor Code Violations Case

Defeated class certification for facility services client against class claims for alleged violations of the Labor Code, including for missed meal periods and rest breaks, improper rounding, failure to pay overtime, failure to pay minimum wages, inaccurate wage statements, and waiting time penalties.

Summary Adjudication, Favorable Settlement for Hotel Client

Obtained summary adjudication on Feb. 23, 2022 in San Bernardino County Superior Court for hotel client on claims for age, race, national origin, and disability discrimination, harassment, retaliation in violation of Fair Employment and Housing Act, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, failure to prevent discrimination and harassment, failure to engage in the interactive process, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, breach of implied in fact employment agreement, whistleblower retaliation, and missed meal periods. The only remaining cause of action was for eight weeks of alleged missed rest breaks, and we achieved a favorable settlement.

Summary Judgment in Arbitration on Retaliation, Other Claims

Obtained summary judgment on Nov. 22, 2021, in arbitration for equipment provider and machining shop client on all claims for retaliation under Fair Employment and Housing Act, whistleblower retaliation, failure to prevent retaliation, retaliation under California Family Rights Act, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of The Tom Bane Civil Rights Act.

Dismissal of All Claims, Plaintiff Declared Vexatious Litigant

Obtained dismissal of all claims in Sacramento County Superior Court on Jan. 5, 2022, against a plaintiff, who was first represented by counsel and then represented himself pro per, for facility services client. Plaintiff asserted claims for disability discrimination and harassment, defamation, assault and battery, and failure to pay commissions. After we filed a successful undertaking action, the plaintiff obtained in forma pauperis status and began adding the clients of our client as Doe defendants. We successfully quashed the service of summons on the Doe defendants and moved to declare the plaintiff a vexatious litigant requiring him to post bond, which he failed to do.

Summary Judgment in Disability Discrimination Case

Obtained summary judgment for a nationwide employer in federal court against disability discrimination claim.

Dismissal for National Employer in Federal Court

Obtained dismissal for a nationwide employer in federal court against claims of discrimination for national origin, race, religion and sex, as well as retaliation.

Dismissal of Retaliation Claim

Obtained dismissal for a nationwide employer against a retaliation claim for failure to exhaust administrative remedies, affirmed on appeal at the Eighth Circuit.

Secured Settlement in Employment Class Action for Aerospace Client

Represented aerospace manufacturer in class action alleging violations to meal period policy. Settlement on the matter was reached on the eve of trial.

Settlement of Employment Class Action Trial for Aerospace Manufacturer

Represented aerospace manufacturer in class action alleging overtime, minimum wage and meal period violations. The matter settled prior to the conclusion of the trial.

Representation of Logistics Provider in Noncompete Case

Represented a national third-party logistics provider in action to enforce noncompetition provision against a former employee.

Defense of Global Direct Sales Company in Breach of Contract Case

Represented a global direct sales company in connection with breach of contract claims alleging that members of its independent contractor sales force were prohibited from recruiting salespeople from other direct sales companies.

Severance Package Negotiation for Top Executive

Negotiated an appropriate severance package for a top salesperson in the construction materials industry.

Counsel to Multinational Hedge Fund on Post-Employment Obligations

Counseled multinational hedge fund and financial serves company regarding post-employment obligations of employees.

Successful Representation of an Executive in a Wrongful Termination Case

Represented an executive in a wrongful termination case which settled during trial.

Vindicated CEO Terminated For “Cause” and Denied All Compensation

Successfully represented former CEO of publicly traded international business in dispute arising from the company’s termination of our client “for cause” and denial of all incentives and other compensation due to the client.

Representation in Employee Terminations, Alleged Rutan Violations

Represented the state of Illinois in disputes involving employee terminations and alleged Rutan violations.

Defense of Chicago Manufacturer Against Wage Payment Action Claims

Successfully defended a Chicago manufacturer against Wage Payment Act claims brought by its former president.

Prosecution of High-Profile Embezzlers

Prosecuted embezzlers, including the partner of a real estate venture, the treasurer of an energy company and the bookkeeper of a significant business.

Prosecution in Matter Involving Breach of Employment Agreement

Prosecuted and defended claims for breach of an employment agreement.

Representation of National Aviation Insurance Broker in Noncompete, Nonsolicitation Case

Represented a national aviation insurance broker in action to enforce contractual noncompete and nonsolicitation provisions against a former employee.

Summary Judgment for School District in Disability Discrimination Case

Obtained summary judgment for a public school district in a disability discrimination case under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The plaintiff argued that a disability prevented her from performing job duties that became necessary due to distance learning models when schools were closed due to COVID-19. Although the job duties were not explicitly discussed in the job description for her position, we demonstrated that the job duties were essential, performed by all other employees in the department, and there was no other vacant position for which the plaintiff was qualified.

Challenged Home Office’s ‘Intention to Revoke’ a Sponsor Licence for Educational Establishment

Successfully challenged Home Office’s ‘Intention to Revoke’ an educational institution’s sponsor licence. Subsequently undertook a mock audit with the client to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules, and represented client at their next Home Office audit.