Labor & Employment/Agency

Clients regularly turn to GMSR’s appellate lawyers for help resolving thorny labor and employment issues.  The firm has prevailed in the U.S. Supreme Court on a significant issue of workplace privacy and in the California Supreme Court on issues pertaining to non-competition agreements; successfully handled appeals in wage-and-hour class actions, wrongful termination, and discrimination suits; and obtained dismissals of employees’ suits on procedural grounds.

Shirvanyan v. Los Angeles Community College Dist. (2020) 59 Cal.App.5th 82

GMSR wins reversal for client community college of adverse $3.4 million FEHA judgment

GMSR wins reversal for client community college of adverse $3.4 million FEHA judgment

A jury awarded plaintiff, a kitchen worker at a community college, $3.4 million, including $2.775 million in noneconomic damages and over $500,000 in attorneys’ fees, for the failure to accommodate and to engage in the interactive process relating to two physical conditions: carpal tunnel syndrome

Jun 14, 2019 Robert A. Olson
What makes a PAGA Penalty? Robert Olson interviewed by Daily Journal, available via SoundCloud

What makes a PAGA Penalty? After hearing argument the California Supreme Court has ordered additional briefing in a case that could reshape the contours of the state’s Private Attorneys General Act. Attorneys involved in the case, Robert Olson (Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland) and Michael

Pryor et al. v. Fitness International, LLC (Jan. 3, 2019, B287329) 2019 WL 92775

Employer owes no duty to the general public to keep drug-addled employee at work through the end of his shift or to prevent him from driving intoxicated after being told to leave the premises

Employer owes no duty to the general public to keep drug-addled employee at work through the end of his shift or to prevent him from driving intoxicated after being told to leave the premises.

Pryor et al. v. Fitness International, LLC (Jan 3, 2019, B287329) [nonpublished opinion]. An employee of GMSR’s client, a health club, took heroin during his work-shift.  Finding him no longer fit to perform his job, the health club’s manager ordered him to leave the premises. 

Newland v. County of Los Angeles (2018) 24 Cal.App.5th 676

Court of Appeal reverses $13.9 million jury award and orders entry of defense judgment for GMSR’s client in employee commuting case

Court of Appeal reverses $13.9 million jury award and orders entry of defense judgment for GMSR’s client in employee commuting case

Plaintiff was injured in a car accident with a Los Angeles County deputy public defender who was on his way home from work. Although employers are generally not liable for accidents arising from an employee’s commute, the plaintiff sued GMSR’s client, the County, contending it

Smith v. Farmers Group, Inc. (May 14, 2018, B266242) 2018 WL 2192426

Defendants were not collaterally estopped from asserting plaintiff’s independent-contractor status

Oct 30, 2012 Related Cases
Long v. County of Los Angeles (Oct. 30, 2012, No. B229173) 2012 WL 5335311 [nonpublished opinion]

Plaintiff, a former employee of GMSR’s client, County of Los Angeles, sought reimbursement of attorney’s fees he allegedly incurred in assisting in the County’s defense of litigation. The trial court found that he was required to comply with the Claims Act and failed to do

Hill v. Sullivan Automotive Group (May 18, 2011, B225186) 2011 WL 1879420 [nonpublished opinion]

Employer’s failure to add hours on wage statement causes no injury

Who We Serve

PUBLIC ENTITIES

Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.

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INSURERS

Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.

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BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.

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TRIAL COUNSEL

The firm’s lawyers are team players, collaborating with trial counsel at any level from legal strategy to writing or editing trial court motions and appellate briefs.

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INDIVIDUALS

GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.

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COMMUNITY PRO BONO

As part of GMSR’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, GMSR provides pro bono appellate services to individuals and to community organizations on issues of concern.

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