Category: Uncategorized

Andrew H. Friedman to Speak at Employment Round Table of Southern California’s Annual Fall Conference and Awards Luncheon

November 4, 2010 – On Thursday, November 4, 2010, Andrew H. Friedman will speak at the Employment Round Table of Southern California’s Annual Fall Conference and Awards Luncheon. The Conference will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel,

404 South Figueroa, Los Angeles California beginning at 7:30 a.m. You can register to attend by visiting http://ertsc.org  Mr. Friedman’s presentation will take place immediately prior to a Special Award Presentation to The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California – Invited Recipient – of the Round Table’s Leadership Award in Disability Rights.

Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Filed Against Major Manufacturer of Cosmetics and Toiletries

Former Employee Alleges That Gar Laboratories, Inc. Fired Her After She Was Assaulted and Battered By A Male Co-Worker that’s how I killed people in Iraq. California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace.

Cherie Stewart, a former employee of Gar Laboratories, Inc. (www.garlabs.com), an FDA registered contract manufacturer and filler that produces cosmetics, toiletries, Over-The-Counter drug items, as well as health and beauty aids, filed a lawsuit alleging that the Company violated multiple California laws by firing her after she complained that a male co-worker assaulted and battered her by choking her and then bragging “that’s how I killed people in Iraq.” The lawsuit was filed in Riverside, California Superior Court and assigned case number RIC508200.

Commenting about these allegations, Ms. Stewart’s attorney, Andrew H. Friedman of the Venice, California based Helmer • Friedman, LLP law firm said “California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace.”

Ms. Stewart’s other attorney, Melanie Partow, expressed the hope that Ms. Stewart’s lawsuit would serve as a wake up call to those employers ignorant about California’s anti-retaliation laws, “It is a shame that many employers in California are still apparently unaware of the fact that it is unlawful to retaliate against an employee who complains about things like discrimination, harassment and work place safety issues. We hope that any press coverage that this case receives will serve to remind employers of their obligations under California law.”

For additional information or a PDF copy of Ms. Stewart’s Complaint, contact:
Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
Melanie Partow (mpartow@helmerfriedman.com)
Helmer • Friedman, LLP — 310-396-7714
www.HelmerFriedman.com

Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer are named 2010 “Super Lawyers”

February 1, 2010 – Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine select Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer as a 2010 Southern California “Super Lawyers” in the category of Labor and Employment Law. This is the fourth year that both Mr. Friedman and Mr. Helmer have been selected as “Super Lawyers.”

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2009 Labor and Employment Law Section’s Annual Meeting

October 23 & 24, 2009 – Andrew H. Friedman to speak on “Annual Update” at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of California which will be held at the Claremont Resort and Spa, Berkeley, CA. Mr. Friedman will be co-presenting this topic with prominent defense counsel Anthony J. Oncidi of Proskauer Rose LLP. Mr. Friedman will also moderate a panel on “Religion, God in the Workplace” with speakers: Jeffrey A. Berman of Sidley Austin LLP,

Carol L. Gillam of The Gillam Law Firm, and Anna Y. Park, Regional Attorney for the Los Angeles District Office Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Los Angeles.

Court Preliminarily Approves $1.5 Million Settlement In Class Action Lawsuit Against U.S. Remodelers

September 25, 2009- U.S. District Court preliminarily approves $1.5 million class action settlement. To see a copy of the Court’s Notice of Class Action Settlement, Claim Form and Procedures, Exclusion Procedures, and Final Approval of Settlement Hearing, click here. If you are a current or former Sales Associate or Manager of U.S. Remodelers, Inc. (U.S. Home Services) and/or U.S. Home Systems, Inc. who was employed in California at any time between the dates of July 3, 2003 and August 24, 2009, you are a member of the class and should have received a copy of the Court’s Notice. If you have not received this document, please contact the Claims Administrator as soon as possible to request copy of this document and the Claim Form:

 U.S. Remodelers Litigation

c/o CPT Group, Inc.

16630 Aston Street

Irvine, California 92606

Toll free number: (888) 844-3063

 In order to make a claim and potentially receive a settlement award, you must complete and return the Claim Form you should have received, which must be post-marked no later than November 7, 2009. If you fail to complete and return the Claim Form within the foregoing time, you will be barred from participating in the settlement.

A former employee of PureBeauty, Inc. filed a retaliation and sexual harassment lawsuit against the beauty supply retail and salon services chain with locations throughout the U.S. The suit also names the company’s former Vice President of Sales, Brian Pearce, and celebrity hair stylist, Adam Shuman. The Los Angeles Superior Court assigned the lawsuit case number BC343315.

Stacey Stout – PureBeauty’s former manager of the company’s Southern California region – alleges that she and another female employee were sexually harassed by Mr. Shuman. PureBeauty markets and sells a product designed and manufactured by Mr. Shuman – the “Superstar” flatiron – used for straightening hair. In order to promote the product, PureBeauty arranged for Mr. Shuman to conduct product demonstrations at several of the stores in the region managed by Ms. Stout.

The complaint alleges that Shuman, during the promotional events, sexually harassed Ms. Stout and another female employee. Among other things, Ms. Stout alleges that Shuman made incessant sexual comments about sado-masochism, oral sex, and his sexual escapades at the Playboy Mansion. She also alleges that Shuman grabbed her and forcibly kissed her. The complaint also alleges that Shuman pressured one of Ms. Stout’s female subordinates to have sex with him.

Ms. Stout alleges that she complained to several high-level executives, but that no action was taken against Shuman. Instead, she alleges that the company retaliated against her and terminated her employment because she had complained. Prior to the complaints, Ms. Stout was the top performing district manager at the company. Immediately after the complaints, however, Ms. Stout alleges that the company began secretly attempting to solicit negative information about her from her subordinates. She was terminated a few months later.

Commenting about these allegations, Ms. Stout’s attorney, Gregory D. Helmer of Helmer • Friedman, LLP, said, “When an employee encounters unlawful activity at work, she must be allowed to bring those matters to the attention of her employer without fearing retaliation. We should be encouraging, not dissuading, the reporting of unlawful conduct.”

Based in Encino, PureBeauty has stores throughout California, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, New York and other locations.

For additional information or a PDF copy of Ms. Stout’s Complaint, contact:

Gregory D. Helmer
Helmer • Friedman, LLP
(310) 396-7714
www.helmerfriedman.com

Nationwide Wage and Hour Class Action Lawsuit
Filed Against Citibank

March 5, 2009 – Los Angeles, California — Helmer Friedman LLP filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against Citibank for alleged unpaid overtime and other alleged violations of wage and hour laws. The lawsuit alleges that Citibank failed to pay its nationwide Bank at Work Relationship Managers overtime and that it also failed to provide its California Bank at Work Relationship Managers with meal and rest periods and itemized wage statements as required by California law. Anthony Lewis of The Lewis Law Firm and Andrew Friedman of Helmer Friedman LLP invite witnesses with any information to contact us.

A policy against sex discrimination, particularly one that specifically addresses sexual harassment, is an extremely important method for preventing sexual harassment. This policy also prohibits retaliation against any person who brings an accusation of discrimination or sexual harassment or who assists with the investigation or resolution of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment creates confusion because it blurs the boundary between professional roles and personal relationships. If you feel you may be a victim of sexual harassment, The Law offices of Helmer-Friedman has more information and solutions to help employees and employers. They wrote “the book” on employment discrimination law.