Bio

Dan Stormer

Partner

Dan Stormer is a 1974 graduate of New York University School of Law, and a 1968 graduate of Wagner College. He has been a Civil Rights, International Human Rights, and Constitutional lawyer for forty-seven years.

Mr. Stormer has been recognized internationally, nationally, and locally as one of the top attorneys in the United States.

Mr. Stormer has repeatedly been listed among Lawdragon Magazine’s 500 Leading Lawyers, 500 Leading Litigators, 500 Leading National Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America, Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California, Top Labor and Employment Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, as well as in the Top 10 Lawyers in Southern California. The California Lawyer has selected Mr. Stormer for the California Attorney of the Year (CLAY) award twice for his work in Civil Rights.

Mr. Stormer has been profiled repeatedly by various legal periodicals, including The Daily Journal, Super Lawyers™, Lawdragon, The National Law Journal, Los Angeles Lawyer, California Law - Business, California Lawyer, and The Legal Exchange. He was named as one of the 10 top plaintiff-side employment lawyers in California by The Daily Journal. He was also named one of the top 5 plaintiff-side employment lawyers in California by Chambers U.S.A. His firm is listed among the top 4 firms in the same poll. He has been repeatedly named one of Southern California’s Super Lawyers™ by Los Angeles Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine. He is "AV Preeminent" rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in the Top 100 Lawyers and as a Super Lawyer in every year since the survey has been taken.

Mr. Stormer is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the nation’s leading civil rights, employment, and constitutional law attorneys. He was described by The National Law Journal as "one of the country's top civil, constitutional, and international human rights lawyers." He has been repeatedly recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and the Guide to the World’s Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers. He has presented at the "Arguments of the Masters" and the "Legends of Litigation."

Mr. Stormer has lectured and published extensively, including legal treatises and law reviews. He has taught at over 300 seminars and trial programs, including the national conventions for the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the National Employment Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and other advocacy programs. He has also taught law school at Hastings College of Law, Loyola Law School, University of San Fernando Law School, Southwestern Law School and People's College of Law.

Mr. Stormer has been involved in over 70 published appellate decisions and has argued cases at all levels, including repeatedly in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Stormer has obtained a number of large verdicts. Among them are the following:

In Martin v. Texaco, a verdict of $20.4 million was obtained for gender discrimination in employment.

In Steffens v. Regus, a verdict of $4,646,252 on behalf of a person who complained about unlawful activity and then was terminated.

In Stewart v. Jet Set, a judgment of over $3,000,000 on behalf of a person wrongfully terminated as a result of sexual orientation discrimination.

In Zinzun v. City of Los Angeles, a verdict of $3.84 million was obtained for civil rights violations.

In Schell v. City of Los Angeles, Chief of Police Bernard Parks, et al., a verdict of $4.361 million was obtained. Included in that verdict was a punitive damage award of $500,000 against Chief of Police Bernard Parks and $250,000 against his assistant, Commander Watson.

In Ruiz v. Jackson, a jury awarded $1.6 million against a Sony Executive for coercing a Filipino woman into service as a domestic slave.

In Heaton v. Groberman, $2 million for wrongful death of a tenant who came into contact with bacteria from a failed septic system.

In Wysinger v. The Automobile Club of Southern California, the jury awarded $1.3 million in damages ($1 million in punitive damages) for a senior employee who was retaliated against for complaining of discrimination. In addition, the Court awarded $1.1 million in attorneys’ fees and costs. Thus, the total award was $2.4 million.

InPajas v. County of Monterey, a jury award of $1.7 million for the failure to provide adequate medical attention to a prisoner going through withdrawal.

In Keunang v. City of Los Angeles, a jury verdict of liability and immediate settlement of police shooting- $2 million.

In Bonsangue v. ADP, a verdict of over $1 million was obtained for a claim of age discrimination.

In Troffer v. United States, a judgment of over $1 million was obtained on behalf of firefighters wrongfully excluded from a United States Air Force base without due process.

Mr. Stormer has been lead or co-counsel in dozens of other multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

Education

J.D., New York University School of Law
B.A., Wagner College

Admissions

California
Colorado
Washington
U.S. District Court Southern District of California
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court Central District of California
U.S. District Court District of Colorado
U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Associations & Community Organizations

Tahoe Adaptive Competition Center, Founding Member
Rim of the World Special Athletes, Board of Directors
Adaptive Recreation Center’s Foundation, Board of Directors
Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowboard Instructors
- Adaptive Committee – Western Region, Chair
- Adaptive Committee – National
- Tech Team - Western Division
Big Bear Therapeutic Riding Center, Board of Directors
Adaptive Adventures Unlimited, Board of Directors
Silverlake Parks and Recreation, Sports Board
John Marshall High School - Boys & Girls Varsity Tennis, Assistant Coach
Various Youth Sports Leagues - Baseball (ages 6-adult), Soccer (ages 6-15), and Basketball (ages 6-15)
Professional Ski Instructors of America (Focusing on teaching persons with disabilities, as well as Alpine and Children's instruction)
“The Edge” – Professional Ski Instructors of America Magazine
Echo Park / Silverlake People’s Child Care Center

Notable Work

The Impact of Kolender v. Lawson on Law Enforcement and Minority Groups, Stormer and Bernstein, 12 Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, 105, 1984
Legal Responses to Unconstitutional Termination of Disability Benefits, 22 Idaho Law Review, 201, 1986
The Graying of America: Age Discrimination in the Nineties, 26 West Los Angeles Law Review, 189, 1995
Sexual Harassment (one chapter), James Publications
Letter to a Young Public Interest Attorney, Los Angeles Public Interest Law Journal - Inaugural Issue - Immigrants' Rights, Volume 1, 2009
Tales From Counsel Table, California Labor, and Employment Bulletin, monthly column, 2006

Representative Cases

County of Riverside v. McLaughlin,111 S.Ct. 1661 (1991)
Obaydullah v. Obama,609 F.3d 444 (2010)
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee v. Reno,70 F.3d 1045 (9th Cir. 1995)
Leeds v. Watson,630 F.2d 674 (9th Cir. 1980)
Del Monte v. Deukmejian,(1991) 1 Cal.App.4th 1213
Cundiff v. Verizon, California, Inc.,167 Cal. App. 4th 718 (2008)
Wysinger v. Automobile Club of Southern California,157 Cal. App. 4th 413 (2007)
Cundiff v. Bell Atlantic Corp.,101 Cal.App.4th 1395 (2002)
Stack v. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company,94 Wash.2d 155 (1980)
Brooks v. Rhay,92 Wash.2d 876 (1979)

Classes & Seminars

"Trial Advocacy", National Lawyers Guild,2012 to 2012
"Voir Dire", Los Angeles County Bar Association,2011 to 2011
"Nelson Background Check Case to Discuss on Radio Show Privacy Piracy",88.9 FM in Irvine,11/02/2010 to 11/02/2010
"Litigating International Law in U.S. Courts", International Law Society at Loyola Law School,10/20/2010 to 10/20/2010
"Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire and Closing Arguments",43rd Annual Pacific Coast LELC, Washington State Convention & Trade Center,05/13/2010 to 05/13/2010
"Wage Theft & Wage Underpayment: Indentured Servitude in America", NELA 2009 20th Annual Convention,06/25/2009 to 06/25/2009
"Civil Rights and International Human Rights", ACLU of Southern California,06/05/2009 to 06/05/2009
"Screening of The Garden and talk by Dan Stormer", Wagner College,05/09/2009 to 05/09/2009
"Voir Dire", Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles 2009 Litigators Forum,01/22/2009 to 01/22/2009
"Ethics, Enterprise & Leadership", University of California, Santa Barbara,05/06/2008 to 05/06/2008
"Multinational Corporations and Human Rights Violations: The Example of Nigeria, Larry Bowoto et al., v. Chevron Corporation", California State University, Long Beach,04/29/2008 to 04/29/2008
"Something Wicked This Way Comes: Investigating Your Case",2008 National CLE Conference - Labor & Employment Law
Mr. Stormer has spoken at over 300 seminars, graduations, and other events.

Memberships

California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)
National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The National Trial Lawyers
American Bar Association (ABA)
The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Western Trial Lawyers Association, Boards of Directors
Mental Health Advocacy Services, Board of Directors
Peoples College of Law, Board of Trustees
National Lawyers Guild, Los Angeles and Spokane Chapters, Past President
Western Law Center for Disability Rights
Los Angeles Public Interest Law Journal, Advisory Board Member
Western Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors & Past President
People's College of Law, Board of Trustees
Adaptive Adventures Unlimited, Board of Directors
Tahoe Adaptive Competition Center, Founding Member
ASLA - 2019 Top 100 Lawyer, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
ASLA - Seven-Time Member
Elite Lawyer 2021- Employment & Civil Rights
National Association of Distinguished Counsel - Nation's Top One Percent

Awards & Accolades

Lawdragon Leading Plaintiff Lawyer, Lawdragon Leading Plaintiff Lawyer Magazine, 2021
The Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2021
Elite Lawyer Award – Top Attorneys, Elite Lawyer 2020, 2021
500 Leading National Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers Guide 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Best Law Firms – Tier 1 Ranking, U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Employment Law – Individuals, Best Lawyers in America, 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Litigation – Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America, 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Best Attorneys of America, Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America, Lifetime Charter Member
Fellow, The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Fellow, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Top Attorney, Pasadena Magazine, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
PSIA/AASI Adaptive Education Staff, Professional Ski Instructors of America, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Adaptive Committee, Professional Ski Instructors of America, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Certified Ski Instructor - Alpine, Adaptive, Seniors, and Children's Skiers, Professional Ski Instructors of America 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers list, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Guide to the World's Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers, Euromoney Publications
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh & Smith - National Yearly Survey of America's Leading Lawyers, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (Listed in Best Lawyers for 10 Years or Longer), 2020, 2021
Who's Who, Various Who's Who Publications, 1991-present
500 Leading National Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2020
Top Attorneys in Southern California, Los Angeles Magazine, 2020
Best Lawyers in Southern California (Selected by Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement), The Wall Street Journal, 2020
Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in America, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Employment Law – Individuals “Lawyer of the Year” for Pasadena, Best Lawyers in America
2016, 2019
Decades of Service Award, National Lawyers Guild Los Angeles, 2019
Lawyer of the Year, 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 2019
Civil Rights Law - Attorney of the Year in California, 2019 Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award, 2019
Lawyer Of The Year: Southern California, The Wall Street Journal, 2019
America's Most Honored Professionals, The American Registry, 2019
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators, America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators, 2018
America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2017, 2018
Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine; Law and Politics Magazine, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Top 75 Labor & Employment Lawyers, The Daily Journal, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Attorney of the Year - CLAY Award – Civil Rights, California Lawyer Magazine, 2006, 2017
LA CAN Freedom Now Award, The Los Angeles Community Action Network, 2016
Top 10 Attorneys in Southern California, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine; Law and Politics Magazine, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015
Best Lawyers in America Employment Law - Individuals, Best Lawyers in America – 20th Edition 2021 (over 20 years consecutively on the list)
Hadsell Stormer Richardson & Renick, LLP – Tier 1 Ranking, U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”, 2014
Southern California’s Top Rated Lawyers, American Lawyer Media, 2013
Best Attorneys in Los Angeles, Best Lawyers – Individuals Award, 2013
Congressional Award for Outstanding Public Service to the Community, Congressman Howard L. Berman, 2012
Religious Liberty Award, ACLU of Southern California, 2012
Lawyer of the Year – Individuals - Employment Law, Naifeh & Smith – Best Lawyers in America, 2012
The Top 3000 Lawyers in America, Lawdragon Magazine, 2006, 2010, 2011
Pro Bono Honor, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and The Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services of the Judicial Conference for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2011
Recognized for Distinction in Labor and Employment Law, The American Lawyer, 2011
Appellate Lawyer Award, The National Law Journal, 2010
Southern California 50 Leadership Council, RAND Institute for Civil Justice, 2010
Top Lawyers, Labor + Employment, 2010
The 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon Magazine, 2006, 2007, 2010
The Top 100 – California’s Leading Lawyers - 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California, The Daily Journal, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
Honored Member, America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Honored Member. Strathmore's Who's Who,1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
The Wagner Alumni Fellows Award – Law, Wagner College, 2008
Certificate of Recognition, Los Angeles City Council, Eric Garcetti – President, 2007
LGBT Award, ACLU Foundation of Southern California, 2007
Fellow of the Dean’s Roundtable, Chapman University School of Law, 2007
The Los Angeles Area’s Best Lawyers, Los Angeles Times - West Magazine, 2006
Certificate of Recognition For Outstanding Dedication to the Community, California State Senate, 2006
Certificate of Appreciation In Honor of Dedication to Social Justice in the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council, 2006
Social Justice Award, Occidental College - Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, 2006
The 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon Magazine, 2006
Certificate of Recognition for Human Rights Legal Representation, California State Assembly, 2006
Joseph Posner Award, California Employment Lawyer’s Association, 2005
Certificate of Recognition for Fighting Discrimination, California State Assembly Resolution, 2005
Robert Kenny Award, National Lawyers Guild, 2005
Fellow of the College, Governors of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, 2004
Top 5 Employment Lawyers in California, Chambers Publishing - America's Leading Business Lawyers, 2003
Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney's Commendation, For outstanding contribution to the Citizens of Los Angeles, 1995
California Lt. Governor's Commendation, For longstanding commitment to ensure equal justice and for service to the community, 1995
California Assembly Resolution, Commitment to Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Public Interest Law, 1995
Pursuit of Justice Award, California Women's Law Center, 1995
Top 10 Labor & Employment Lawyers in California, The Daily Journal, 1991
Clarence Darrow Award, People's College of Law, 1991
Hollywood Fair Housing Council Award, Hollywood Fair Housing Council, 1989
Pro Bono Firm of the Year, Public Counsel Law Center, 1987, Pro Bono Service Award
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, 1986