Helmer-Friedman LLP

2011 Southern California "Super Lawyers"

2011-06-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

Helmer Friedman LLP is very pleased to announce that Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine have selected Gregory D. Helmer and Andrew H. Friedman as 2011 Southern California "Super Lawyers" in the category of Labor and Employment Law.

PATIENTS ALLEGE SANTA MONICA AREA PHYSICIAN ENGAGED IN INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT DURING BREAST EXAMS

2011-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two Former Patients of Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick Allege that Their HMO referred them to Dr. Resnick Despite Knowing of Alleged Propensity
June 8, 2011: Today, two former patients of Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick filed a lawsuit against the Santa Monica-based physician and his clinic, the Woman’s Breast Center, alleging that he engaged in inappropriate, unprofessional and offensive conduct during breast examinations. The patients, Angela Crickman and Lisa Grebe, also asserted claims against their HMO, Bay Area Community Medical Group (“Bay Area”), alleging that Bay Area referred them to Dr. Resnick despite knowing that he had a pattern, practice and/or history of engaging in such conduct. Among other things, they allege that Bay Area had received complaints from other female patients and that Bay Area knew, or should have known, that Dr. Resnick had been sanctioned by the Medical Board of the State of California for engaging in unprofessional conduct during a breast examination. See http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf   http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf).Ms. Crickman (but not Ms. Grebe) has also asserted a claim against her primary health care provider, Peak Medical Group, Inc. (“Peak Health”), for allegedly referring her to Dr. Resnick despite knowing of his propensity to engage in inappropriate conduct during breast examinations. Bay Area has since been acquired by UCLA Health Systems.

In the Complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. BC463109), Ms. Crickman alleges, among other things, that Dr. Resnick was flirtatious and suggestive, and made numerous inappropriate comments about her physical appearance, while he conducted an ultrasound examination of her breasts. Ms. Grebe similarly alleges that Dr. Resnick engaged in sexually offensive, flirtations and suggestive conduct toward her while performing an examination. She also alleges that he kissed her on the cheek.

In their Complaint, Ms. Crickman and Ms. Grebe assert claims for sexual harassment by a physician in violation of California Civil Code Sections 51.9 and 52, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. They have also asserted claims (by Ms. Crickman against Bay Area and Peak Health; by Ms. Grebe against Bay Area) that defendants violated the California Unruh Act, alleging that the defendants failed to provide or apply the same level of scrutiny to physicians to whom they referred their female patients as they did to those to whom they referred their male patients.

Commenting about these allegations, plaintiffs’ attorney, Gregory D. Helmer of Helmer • Friedman, LLP, said, “In the fight against breast cancer, it is well known that early detection and diagnosis is critically important. While these are allegations at this point, it is obviously critical that there be nothing – including the conduct of a physician – that might discourage patients from seeking diagnostic examinations.”

For additional information or a PDF copy of the Complaint, contact:
            Gregory D. Helmer (ghelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
            Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
            Kenneth A. Helmer (khelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
            Helmer • Friedman, LLP, (310) 396-7714
            (www.helmerfriedman.com)

Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services

2010-10-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

Gregory D. Helmer selected to Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services

October 20, 2010 - Helmer Friedman is pleased to announce that Gregory D. Helmer has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek (House of Justice) Legal Services Foundation. One of the nation’s premier legal services organizations since 1974, Bet Tzedek provides free assistance to more than 10,000 people of every racial and religious background in the Los Angeles area. Recently, Bet Tzedek’s employment rights project won a significant human trafficking case in which the victim, an Indonesian woman, was brought to the United States and forced to work without pay and under inhumane living conditions. In addition, Bet Tzedek’s Holocaust Survivors Justice Network has assisted survivors of the holocaust in seeking and obtaining reparations from the German Government.

Employment Round Table

2010-10-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Denied Managerial Position with Home Depot?

2010-07-23T05:45:00.000-07:00

Work for Home Depot? Are you a female employee of Home Depot who was denied a promotion to a managerial position? Are you a female job applicant who was denied a managerial position? If so, your rights to a workplace free of discrimination based on sex or gender may have been violated. For a consultation, please call Helmer Friedman LLP at (310) 396-7714 or email us at info@helmerfriedman.com.

Employee Fired After Being Choked By Coworker

2010-05-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

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

Super Lawyers 4th Year

2010-02-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

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."

Labor and Employment Law

2009-10-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Employment Round Table

2009-10-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

Employment Roundtable of Southern California's 2009 Annual Conference

November 5, 2009 - The Employment Roundtable of Southern California ("ERTSC") will hold its 2009 Annual Conference on November 5, 2009, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The address is: 404 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Mr. Friedman will appear on a panel discussing disability discrimination with Erica Jones, Director, Pacific Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center and prominent defense counsel Anthony J. Oncidi of Proskauer Rose LLP.

$1.5 Million Settlement

2009-09-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Sexual Harassment, Retaliation Lawsuit Filed Against PureBeauty

2009-08-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

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

Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Filed Against Owner of Popular Los Angeles Restaurants Sushi Roku Katana and Boa

2009-06-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Former employee of Los Angeles based Innovative Dining Group, Inc. ("IDG") filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Laura Holycross the Company's former Director of Catering and Special Events; alleges that she was wrongfully terminated after she complained that IDG was engaged in illegal and fraudulent conduct including: (1) charging several of its clients for non-existent services and products; (2) hiring undocumented workers so that it could pay them less than it would have to pay individuals authorized to work in the United States and that it paid its workers "under the table" so that it did not have to pay federal, state, and local taxes; (3) refusing to allow its workers to take the meal and rest periods to which they were entitled under California law; (4) instructing its employees, including Ms. Holycross, to falsify and forge legal documents and information that was to be provided to its clients, their lawyers, their security companies, and various police departments; and (5) instructing its employees not to book events that would include African-American and Persian guests.

Commenting about her lawsuit, Ms. Holycross' attorney, Andrew H. Friedman of Venice-based Helmer Friedman, LLP said "California law clearly prohibits employers, and certainly their highest level officials, from firing an employee for complaining about illegal conduct. We look forward to vigorously representing our client and obtaining the remedies to which she is entitled under the law."

For additional information contact:
Gregory D. Helmer
Andrew H. Friedman
Helmer Friedman LLP (310) 396-7714 www.helmerfriedman.com

Wage and Hour Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Tatitlek Support Services, Inc.

2009-05-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Helmer Friedman LLP Employment Class Action Specialists and The Cowan Law Firm filed a class action lawsuit against Tatitlek for alleged unpaid wages and missed meal periods and rest breaks regarding the personnel that it provided to the Marine Corps at Twentynine Palms. Andrew H. Friedman of Helmer Friedman LLP -- 310-396-7714 -- invite witnesses with any information to contact us.

2009-04-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

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.

DirectTV Sued for Sexual Harassment

2008-10-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Employee files lawsuit against DirectTV for sexual harassment.

An employee of DirectTV was repeatedly subjected to the deplorable behavior of a fellow employee and upon complaining to the company on numerous occasions he was finally given an ultimatum to transfer or be fired.

Helmer Friedman L.L.P. Sexual Harassment Specialists.

In The News: Acknowledged Achievements

2008-10-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

In the News: Acknowledged Achievements of Helmer-Friedman L.L.P.

PR News Now

Workplace Violations

2008-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

The law firm of Helmer • Friedman LLP represents plaintiffs in a potential class action lawsuit against U.S. Remodelers, Inc. and its parent corporation, U.S. Home Systems, Inc. The lawsuit seeks to recover: (1) deductions that were unlawfully taken from the commissions earned by California Sales Associates from July 3, 2003, to the present time; and (2) reimbursements for expenses incurred by California Sales Associates during the same time period.

The lawsuit alleges that U.S. Remodelers unlawfully required that its California Sales Associates “insure” the company against business losses and alleged “overhead” expenses by deducting two types of losses and expenses from the employees’ earned commissions. First, the lawsuit alleges that U.S. Remodelers deducted a co-called “administration” or “permit” fee (typically in the amount of $250.00) from salespersons’ commissions. Second, the lawsuit alleges that U.S. Remodelers deducted amounts from each California Sales Associate’s commission when they under-measured the customer’s kitchen or other area to be re-faced or made other mistakes.

The lawsuit also alleges that U.S. Remodelers failed to reimburse its California Sales Associates for the expenses they incurred in the course of performing their job duties and responsibilities including, among other expenses.

Sexual Discrimination

2008-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

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.

"Super Lawyers" 2008

2008-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine select Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer of Helmer Friedman LLP as 2008 Southern California "Super Lawyers"
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 5, 2007 -- Helmer & Friedman, LLP is very pleased to congratulate both of its founding partners, Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer, on being selected as Southern California "Super Lawyers" for 2008.
Andrew H. Friedman was selected as a "Super Lawyer" in the category of Labor and Employment Law. This was Mr. Friedman's third year in a row as a "Super Lawyer." Mr. Friedman literally wrote "the book" on employment discrimination law -- Litigating Employment Discrimination Cases (James Publishing, 2005-2007). The book, a two volume 1400 practice guide, is designed to provide the employment law practitioner with strategies, tactics and forms to successfully handle employment discrimination cases from case inception through trial. It can be purchased at http://www.jamespublishing.com/. "We are obviously very pleased to be recognized by my peers as 'Super Lawyers'" said Mr. Friedman.

Gregory D. Helmer was selected as a "Super Lawyer" in the category of Labor and Employment Law. This was Mr. Helmer's third time being selected as a "Super Lawyer." Among other accomplishments, Mr. Helmer has obtained a $1,643,000.00 arbitration award on behalf of an employee who had been discriminated against and harassed because of his age. The landmark arbitration award was, at the time, reputed to be one of the largest ever received by an individual in a discrimination case.

Helmer & Friedman, LLP, located on the boardwalk overlooking the Pacific ocean in Venice, California, represents celebrities, employees, individuals and businesses in a broad array of legal matters, including employment and wage claims, contract negotiations, defamation and privacy issues, entertainment transactions, trademark and copyright infringement, unfair business practices, class actions, whistle-blowing and retaliation, personal injury, sexual harassment, discrimination and elder abuse claims.

Pet Food Lawsuit

2008-01-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Dog and Cat Owners File California-Wide Class Action Lawsuit Over Pet Food Poisoning
Publish Date : 3/28/2007 3:44:00 AM Source : Animals and Nature News Onlypunjab.com
Class counsel, Helmer Friedman LLP and Schonbrun De Simone Seplow Harris & Hoffman LLP, announced today that Lois Grady of Sacramento, California, and Kaye Steinsapir of Los Angeles, California, have filed a California-wide class action lawsuit against the international pet food company Menu Foods of Ontario, Canada, Nutro Products, Inc., and PETCO for allegedly manufacturing and selling pet food contaminated with aminopterin - a highly toxic rat poison. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and assigned case number BC368561.
Ms. Grady and Ms. Steinsapir allege that each of their cats became extremely ill as a result of eating cat food manufactured by Menu Foods. Defendant Menu Foods has recalled over 60 million cans and pouches of wet, or "cuts and gravy" style, dog and cat foods sold under popular brand names such as Iams, Eukanuba, Nutro Natural Choice, Nutro Ultra, Special Kitty, Loving Meals, Winn Dixie, Science Diet.
The Complaint alleges that "although Menu Foods has issued what is purported to be one of the largest, if not the largest, recalls of products in the pet food industry's history, countless pets have died, experienced kidney failure and/or suffered other serious adverse health consequences as a result of eating the contaminated food." The Complaint also alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that the pet food was defective and posed an unreasonable safety risk to the safety of animals who would consume itand that the defendants concealed from members of the consuming public the nature and scope of the product defect.
"Pet owners should immediately go to the Menu Foods website -- http://www.menufoods.com/recall/ -- to see if their pet food has been recalled," warned class counsel Michael D. Seplow. "The list of recalled pet food not only includes 42 lines of cat food and 53 lines of dog food under many different brand names such as Nutriplan, Iams, Hy-Vee, America's Choice, but also many different private label or grocery store brands such as Food Lion, Publix, Schnucks, Stater Bros., Save-A-Lot, Winn Dixie, Wegmans, and Tops."
Gregory D. Helmer, counsel for plaintiffs, advised: "If your pets have suffered symptoms of contaminated pet food, immediately take them to a veterinarian. Do not discard the unused pet food; instead mark it in indelible ink with the words 'Do Not Eat,' 'Poisoned,' or 'Contaminated' and make certain to store it in a safe place that is beyond the reach of pets and children. Later, the pet food can be tested for the presence of aminopterin and other contaminants. In addition, pet owners should save their receipts from where they purchased their pet food, save any veterinary bills and burial bills, locate photographs of their pets while they were alive, take a photograph of their deceased pets, and journal the loss of their pets to establish pain and suffering from the death of their pets."
Pet owners with animals injured or killed by the pet food poisoning who wish to learn more about the lawsuit and report their experiences to plaintiffs' counsel should contact attorneys Gregory D. Helmer/Andrew H. Friedman (http://www.helmerfriedman.com/) at 310-396-7714.

Class Action Lawsuit

2007-03-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

California Pet Owners File Class Action Lawsuit In Pet Food Contamination Case

March 27, 2007, Los Angeles, California pet owners file a statewide class action lawsuit against the manufacturer and distributor of pet food that has caused numerous pet deaths and injuries across the Country. The proposed class consists of all California pet owners whose dogs or cats died or suffered injuries from eating Menu Food contaminated pet food.

Forcing Job Applicants to Divulge Constitutionally Private Matters

2003-02-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

Religious Hospital Forcing Job Applicants to Divulge Constitutionally Private Matters

February 5, 2003, Helmer-Friedman LLP Files Lawsuit Against St. Joseph Hospital for forcing job applicants to divulge reproductive dysfunctions, infertility, pregnancy, venereal disease, still born births, miscarriages.