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Category: Blog

The Gig Economy and Misclassification: A Growing Concern

The gig economy, characterized by short-term freelance work, on-demand services, and flexible labor arrangements, has rapidly transformed the employment landscape. While it offers benefits like flexibility and autonomy to workers, it has also given rise to a concerning issue: misclassification. Misclassification occurs when workers, who may technically be employees, are categorized as independent contractors. This […]

The Mediation Process in Workers’ Compensation Cases

The mediation process in workers’ compensation cases is a valuable avenue for resolving disputes between employers and employees. Disagreements often arise over issues such as the severity of an injury, the appropriate amount of compensation, or coverage of certain medical expenses. Rather than resorting to protracted litigation in court, parties may opt for mediation as […]

Protecting Consumers’ Rights: FDCPA Explained

In the complex landscape of debt collection in the United States, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) stands as a vital legal framework that protects consumers from abusive and unfair practices by debt collectors. Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the FDCPA sets strict guidelines for how third-party debt collectors can communicate with […]

Discover How to Calculate Overtime Correctly in the United States

Calculating overtime correctly is essential for both employers and employees in the United States. Overtime pay is regulated by federal and state labor laws to ensure that employees are adequately compensated for their additional hours of work. Understanding the rules for calculating overtime is essential to avoid legal problems and ensure that employees receive their […]

Do you know the difference between an employee and an independent contractor?

The fundamental distinction between an employee and an independent contractor lies in the nature of their employment relationship and how it affects their employment rights and responsibilities, as well as the employer’s or client’s obligations. Here are some key differences: -An employee generally has a continuous and subordinate employment relationship with his or her employer. […]

Challenges and Obstacles in Pursuing Qui Tam Lawsuits: How to Overcome Them

In the world of Qui Tam lawsuits, the journey to justice can be challenging. Like brave explorers, whistleblowers and their legal teams navigate challenges and obstacles that test their determination. One of the initial challenges lies in the complexity of the cases themselves. Qui Tam lawsuits frequently involve intricate legal and regulatory frameworks, requiring a […]

Top 5 employment legal issues facing employers in California.

As an employer in California, it is crucial always to stay one step ahead to avoid employment legal issues that may arise in the work environment. Employment law in California is complex and constantly changing, which can make it challenging to comply with all regulations. Here are the top 5 employment legal issues employers face […]

Misclassification and Overtime Pay: Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The Fair Labor Standards Act is a cornerstone of labor legislation in the United States, providing essential protections to workers, including regulations regarding minimum wage, overtime pay, and employee classification. One critical aspect of the FLSA is correctly classifying workers as exempt or non-exempt, determining their overtime pay eligibility. In this blog, we will delve […]

What is Genetic Discrimination?

Genetic discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on their genetic information or predisposition to certain genetic conditions. It occurs when people are treated differently in various aspects of life, such as employment, insurance coverage, and access to healthcare, solely because of their genetic characteristics. In the context of employment, it may involve […]

What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?

The California Consumer Privacy Act, better known as CCPA, is a comprehensive data privacy law that provides consumers in California with certain rights and protections regarding the collection, use, and sharing of their personal information by businesses. The CCPA, aims to enhance consumer privacy rights and regulate the collection, use, and sharing of personal information […]

Lisseth Bayona

Attorney

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Education and Background

I am a Los Angeles native and daughter of Salvadorian immigrants. From an early age, my parents instilled the value of hard work and education in me and my two siblings. Their perseverance enabled each of us to graduate from college and earn professional degrees.

My interest and commitment to workers’ rights have roots in my parents’ experiences as undocumented workers in Los Angeles. Witnessing the challenges they faced inspired me to pursue a career where I can help individuals confronted with similar struggles. To help someone in those moments is very satisfying. I love connecting with people and learning about their stories. I believe that dignity in the workplace is a right of all workers, not a convenience or privilege reserved for employees of a certain race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Legal Experience

I received my J.D. from the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law. While there, I served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Patrick J. Walsh of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Also, while at Gould, I served as an extern for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Criminal Division. As an extern, I worked closely with a trial team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in prosecution of a web-based platform used to promote human trafficking.

I am a member of Aiman-Smith & Marcy’s class action litigation group. As part of that team, I have successfully fought high-stakes legal battles against well-resourced and highly competent defense firms. See, e.g., Cal. Labor & Workforce Dev. Agency ex rel. Raymond v. CompuCom Sys. (E.D.Cal. Mar. 9, 2023, No. 2:21-cv-02327-KJM-KLN) 2023 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 40710.

Personal Interests

In my free time, I enjoy urban vegetable gardening, traveling, and spending time with my nephew and niece. I also love to spend time at San Onofre Beach learning to surf, although admittedly, I am not very good.

Education

 

Hallie L. Von Rock

Abogada (SBN 233152)

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Educación y Antecedentes

Me mudé a la zona de la bahía desde Washington después de graduarme en el instituto. Me aceptaron en la UC Berkeley a través de un programa en el que podía aplazar dos años mientras obtenía mi residencia en California y asistía a la universidad comunitaria, lo cual era significativo ya que estaba pagando la universidad por mi cuenta. Empecé a trabajar para Randall Aiman-Smith y Reed Marcy en 1996 como encargada de la oficina mientras tomaba clases nocturnas. Mi primera incursión en el mundo legal fue poco después de empezar en el bufete, cuando estaba preparada para transferirme a la UC Berkeley. En lugar de aceptar mi condición de residente, la Junta de Regentes adoptó la posición de que la residencia de California requería que un estudiante estuviera en California “dos años naturales”. Randall y Reed se ocuparon de mi caso con el mismo brío con el que ayudaban a sus clientes reales y tuve la oportunidad de peinar la biblioteca de la UC Berkeley para leer sus códigos y reglamentos para apoyar mi posición. En esa experiencia, aprendí lo que era sentirse indefenso frente a una gran organización y luego tener abogados dedicados en mi rincón para defender mi causa.

Tras una pausa para estudiar historia del arte, fui a la Facultad de Derecho de la UC Hastings y seguí trabajando con Randall y Reed. Después de haber trabajado juntos durante 25 años, tenemos una capacidad única para trabajar en colaboración y terminar las frases del otro. Me he esforzado a lo largo de mi carrera para hacer una diferencia en la vida de nuestros clientes. Al final del día, si estoy ayudando a alguien a obtener una compensación por las pérdidas que sufrió, entonces sé que todo el trabajo realizado en un caso ha valido la pena.

Experiencia legal

Tengo amplia experiencia en litigios civiles y casos de acciones colectivas, incluyendo la realización de descubrimiento y deposiciones, el cálculo de análisis de daños, la preparación de mociones para la certificación, la redacción de documentos de apelación, y la supervisión de la administración de las reclamaciones. Hemos llevado varias demandas colectivas contra minoristas en las que los demandantes alegaban que se les obligaba a comprar ropa para ir a trabajar y no se les compensaba por estas compras, incluso contra Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss, Armani Exchange, Uniqlo, Dollar Tree y Ross. Recientemente, fui abogado litigante en una demanda por difamación contra el Bank of America en nombre de una ex empleada que afirmaba que el Banco la había puesto en una lista negra con futuros empleadores. El jurado encontró al Bank of America responsable, incluso por daños punitivos.

Intereses personales

Aiman-Smith & Marcy me ha patrocinado en el Maratón de Boston y en el Maratón de Nueva York. Cuando corro, suelo llevar una camiseta “Rockstar Ronan” para apoyar la investigación del cáncer infantil a través de la Fundación Ronan Thompson.

Educación

Universidad de California, Berkeley, licenciatura, 1999

Facultad de Derecho Hastings, Universidad de California, J.D., 2004

Hallie L. Von Rock

Attorney (SBN 233152)

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Education and Background

I moved to the Bay Area from Washington after graduating high school. I had been accepted to UC Berkeley through a program where I could defer for two years while getting my California residency and attending community college, which was significant since I was paying for college on my own. I began working for Randall Aiman-Smith and Reed Marcy in 1996 as an office manager while taking night classes. My first foray into the legal world was soon after starting at the firm when I was ready to transfer to UC Berkeley. Rather than accepting my resident status, the Board of Regents took the position that California residency required a student to be in California “two calendar years.” Randall and Reed took up my case with the same verve as they helped their actual clients and I got the chance to comb through the UC Berkeley library to read their codes and regulations to support my position. In that experience, I learned what is was like to feel helpless against a big organization and then to have dedicated attorneys in my corner to take up my cause.

After a break to pursue my major in art history, I went to UC Hastings College of Law and continued working with Randall and Reed. Having worked together now for over 25 years, we have a unique ability to work collaboratively and finish each other’s sentences. I have strived throughout my career to make a difference in the lives of our clients. At the end of the day, if I am helping someone to get compensation for losses they suffered, then I know that all the work put into a case has been worth it.

Legal Experience

I have extensive experience in civil litigation and class action cases, including conducting discovery and depositions, calculating damages analysis, preparing motions for certification, writing appellate documents, and overseeing claims administration. We have handled several class actions against retailers where plaintiffs claimed they were forced to purchase clothing to wear to work and were not compensated for these purchases, including against Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss, Armani Exchange, Uniqlo, Dollar Tree, and Ross. Recently, I was trial counsel in a defamation claim against Bank of America on behalf of a former employee who claimed the Bank blacklisted her with future employers. The jury found Bank of America liable, including for punitive damages.

Personal Interests

Aiman-Smith & Marcy has sponsored me in the Boston Marathon and New York Marathon. When I race, I often wear a “Rockstar Ronan” shirt to support research for childhood cancer through The Ronan Thompson Foundation.

Education

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1999

Hastings College of the Law, University of California, J.D., 2004

Randall Aiman-Smith

Abogado (SBN 124599)

Aiman-Smith & Marcy. Oakland consumer fraud attorneys.
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Educación y antecedentes

Fui afortunado. A pesar de no haber terminado la escuela secundaria o la universidad, pude -aunque con mucho trabajo- ser admitido y sobresalir en una de las mejores escuelas de derecho del país: La Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Berkeley. Mientras estuve allí, tuve el privilegio de ser editor de la California Law Review y miembro del Moot Court Board, asesorando en la redacción de escritos y en la defensa de apelaciones a otros estudiantes. Después de salir de la escuela de derecho, en mis primeros años de práctica, enseñé la escritura legal y la defensa de apelación en la Universidad de California, Hastings College of the Law. También, a lo largo de los años, he sido presentador en eventos de educación legal continua.

Experiencia legal

He sido abogado durante 35 años. He dedicado mi práctica exclusivamente a representar a empleados, consumidores e inversores en los tribunales estatales y federales de primera instancia y en los tribunales de apelación. Me gusta ir a los tribunales por mis clientes y he llevado muchos casos con jurado en los tribunales estatales y federales.

¿Ejemplos? En 2010, fui la abogada principal, junto con los otros abogados del bufete, en el caso Williams v. Union Pacific Railroad donde, después de cuatro años de preparación, el bufete obtuvo un veredicto del jurado de 1.670.000 dólares para una empleada afroamericana. En Rivero v. Surdyka, fui el abogado principal en el juicio y la apelación de un caso de derechos civiles que duró 15 años, incluyendo un juicio completo y tres apelaciones al Noveno Circuito, concluyendo finalmente con una sentencia para los demandantes de más de 2.300.000 dólares. Estos casos ilustran el lema del bufete: compromiso – resultados. Hay que comprometerse con un caso, a veces durante mucho tiempo, para obtener el resultado que el cliente merece.

No siempre ganamos en el juicio. Cuando eso ocurre, el compromiso significa llevar el caso al siguiente nivel y recurrirlo. En el caso Rivero, antes mencionado, eso fue lo que ocurrió: el tribunal desestimó el caso -habíamos perdido- pero apelamos y conseguimos una victoria para nuestros clientes que mantuvimos a través de dos apelaciones más. Desde entonces, el bufete ha conseguido muchas victorias en apelación que reivindican los derechos de los empleados y los consumidores.

A lo largo de los años he sido abogado de los demandantes en numerosos casos individuales y acciones colectivas. Puede sonar cursi, o difícil de creer, pero después de todo este tiempo, y después de todas las grandes experiencias que he tenido, mi parte favorita de ser abogado es cuando consigo dar un cheque a mi cliente.

 

Educación

Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de California, Berkeley, J.D., 1986