In January 2017, HSR filed a wage and hour class action lawsuit against Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company, LLC, et al. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequently, a second-class action lawsuit was filed, alleging similar causes of action. On September 14, 2017, District Court Judge Jon S. Tigar appointed HSR as interim lead counsel over both cases. Judge Tigar concluded that HSR would "fairly and adequately represent the interests of the class" after finding that HSR had done extensive work identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the potential claims and had experience handling complex litigation and knowledge of the applicable law.
How whistleblowers can be protected under state and federal law
We have not addressed the topic of whistleblowers on our blog in quite some time. We acknowledge that being a whistleblower is a tremendously courageous act, because it involves risking one’s livelihood and reputation to expose actions by their employers to defraud the federal government.
HSR Welcomes New Associate Shaleen Shanbhag
Ms. Shanbhag's areas of practice are civil rights, employment, and international human rights law. She joined the firm after clerking for the Honorable John E. Dowdell of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Before her clerkship, Ms. Shanbhag completed a fellowship with the ACLU of Southern California, where she focused on education equity, juvenile justice, and police practices issues.
What should be in a performance evaluation?
As an employee, we understand that you want to be liked first, and ultimately respected. After all, who wants to work in an environment where their opinion is not appreciated and they are tormented by naysayers.
Consistent with History of Refusal to File Criminal Charges Against Police , DA Declines to File Charges Against Officer Who Killed Feras Morad. HSR Represents Family in Civil Suit.
On September 12, 2017, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office announced that it will not bring criminal charges against the officer who shot and killed Feras Morad in May 2015. The family of Feras Morad is saddened and disappointed by District Attorney Jackie Lacey's decision not bring charges against the officer -- who shot and killed their unarmed son rather than providing him the medical assistance he needed -- but look forward to holding the officer, the Long Beach Police Department and Long Beach Police Chief Luna accountable for their actions in the family's civil case, which is set for trial on February 20, 2018. Joshua Piovia-Scott, a partner in the civil rights law firm of Hadsell Stormer & Renick, which represents Mr. Morad's parents and estate, stated "It is a travesty of justice that the DA's office did not file charges. If this was anyone except a police officer he would be in jail. We need to stop this DA supported killings by cops. We will hold them accountable before a jury of their peers, not some bureaucrat whose job it is to protect lawless police."
Court rejects Obama administration salary exemption rule
As retailers across the country prepare to hire temporary workers for the holiday season, they may be breathing a sigh of relief when it comes to the specter of paying some managers mandatory overtime. A federal district court judge in Texas struck down an Obama administration rule that would have raised the exemption amount that distinguishes hourly employees from salaried workers.
HSR Represents Family Taking Legal Action on Behalf of a Man Killed by Whittier Police as Mother who Called for Help Looked On
August 30, 2017, the family of Jonathan Salcido filed a tort claim -- the initial phase in a $15 million law suit -- seeking justice, demanding police training on de-escalation, and demanding training in assisting people with mental illness.
HSR Obtains Court Orders Forcing Chiefs of Police to Testify Regarding Police Shootings
When the Chiefs of the Long Beach and Stockton Police Departments refused to testify about shootings by their officers in three cases in which HSR represents the victims of the shooting, HSR obtained court orders requiring the Chiefs to submit to depositions about the shootings. The Court determined the Chiefs had to testify about these incidents -- and their own and the Department's responses to them -- because they could be held personally responsible for the unconstitutionally excessive force used by their officers in these shootings.
Could social media posts violate non-solicitation agreements?
Social media sites such as LinkedIn and Ladders have changed the landscape for salespeople and jobseekers alike. Salespeople can reach and develop a larger customer base with less effort, and job seekers can connect with decision-makers in unprecedented ways. But with so much more exposure, salespeople who leave an employer may have to be particularly careful about comments made on social media, especially if the employee is subject to a non-solicitation agreement.
