Jason Feldman argues Valley Fever lawsuit in front of 9th Circuit (see video, mins 10:30-18:00)
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Los Angeles Superior Court Holds That Sufficient Questions Of Material Fact Exist For Matter To Proceed To Trial On All Causes Of Action, Including Negligence And A Civil Rights Violation
March 11, 2015, In Humes v. Palisades Charter High School, Case No. BC508906, the Plaintiff alleges that her cheerleading coach ordered her and another cheerleader to engage in a fist-fight, to “fight music”, in front of her fellow cheerleaders. This was to resolve a dispute about a boy that students had been following on “Twitter.” The case was filed in 2013 and is approaching trial. The defendant – Palisades Charter High School – moved for summary judgment and dismissal of the case arguing that (a) the cheerleaders wanted to fight; (b) that the school couldn’t have foreseen that the cheerleading coach would order the cheerleaders to fight; and (c) that the civil rights claim should be dismissed (arguing that section 52.1, commonly called the “Bane Act”, required racial bias). On Tuesday, March 10, the Court denied the motion in its entirety, stating “Specifically, both Principal Pamela McGee and Assistant Principal Dean Russel Howard were allegedly made aware of complaints regarding [the coach’s] alleged bullying of students, lack of proper supervision of students, emotional immaturity, and her propensity to become too friendly with her cheer squad members. Thus, these facts relate directly to [the coach’s] alleged incompetence to be a cheer coach and to supervise students. The alleged injury suffered by plaintiff stemmed directly from [the coach’s] alleged improper supervision of students by ordering two students to engage in a violent fistfight during cheer practice.” Trial is set to begin on July 7. A copy of the Court’s Order is available upon request. Plaintiff is represented by Feldman & Wallach and the Law Office of Jovan Blacknell. KTLA covered the matter when it unfolded in 2013: http://ktla.com/2013/02/20/high-school-coach-accused-of-forcing-cheerleaders-to-fight/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO9uY9fqEKQ Cal. Code § 12949 permits employers to establish and enforce reasonable appearance standards as follows: “Nothing in this part relating to gender-based discrimination affects the ability of an employer to require an employee to adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards not precluded by other provisions of state or federal law, provided that an employer shall allow an employee to appear or dress consistently with the employee’s gender identity.”
Regulations from the Fair Employment and Housing Commission similarly permit an employer to impose grooming standards, so long as they do not discriminate on a prohibited basis nor “significantly burden the individual in his or her employment.” While Cal. Code Sec. 12949 does provide protection to transsexuals and transgender individuals in relation to dress and grooming codes, California courts have pointed out that with this section the Legislature has recognized California employers’ right to impose dress codes in the workplace as long as they are consistent with their employees’ gender identity. Because the objectives and public policy underlying both FEHA and Title VII are the same, California courts consider federal decisions in considering issues of workplace discrimination. In relation to what could be considered reasonable workplace appearance, grooming and dress standards, numerous courts across the country have reasoned that employers may establish different grooming and dress standards for male and female employees, even if those standards prohibit men (but not women) from wearing earrings, require men (but not women) to wear neckties, forbid certain hairstyles such as cornrows, or require both women and men to wear overalls to work. Courts have generally tolerated dress codes that reify “normative stereotypes.” They do this by declaring that grooming standards that appropriately differentiate between the sexes are not facially discriminatory. Jespersen v. Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc.,[1] interpreting Title VII, provides critical guidance on this issue. In Jespersen, plaintiff challenged her employer’s personal grooming policy, claiming that the requirement that she wear makeup constituted unlawful sex discrimination, both because it resulted in disparate treatment based on gender and because it had a disparate impact on her. Holding that plaintiff had failed to establish a record that would support a finding that the grooming policy was motivated by sex stereotyping, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the summary judgment entered by the trial court. While the court did not preclude the possibility that a grooming code, if not reasonably applied, could unlawfully discriminate, it would not permit the subjective objection of a single employee, without evidence of improper motivation by the employer, to be the basis for a claim.[2] With respect to the claim for unequal burdens, the court recognized that demonstrating the existence of a sex-based difference in employer grooming policies, without more, does not establish a prima facie case of discrimination. A difference in grooming standards between men and women in a policy that otherwise applies equally to all employees in a given job category does not violate Title VII unless the policy places a greater burden on one gender. Because, on summary judgment, plaintiff had submitted no evidence demonstrating that there was a relative difference in cost or time for men and women to comply with the policy, she could not prevail. Similarly, with respect to sex stereotyping, there was no evidence that the policy was based on a stereotypical view of women, or that the standards would negatively impact a woman’s ability to perform the job. Rather, more must be shown than the objection of a single employee: “We respect Jespersen’s resolve to be true to herself and to the image that she wishes to project to the world. We cannot agree, however, that her objection to the makeup requirement, without more, can give raise to a claim of sex stereotyping under Title VII. If we were to do so, we would come perilously close to holding that every grooming, apparel, or appearance requirement that an individual finds personally offensive, or in conflict with his or her own self-image, can create a triable issue of sex discrimination.”[3] Courts generally do not consider makeup, hairstyle, or sex-appropriate attire requirements to represent an undue burden without specific evidence from the plaintiff as to the time, cost, or other unequal burden actually imposed. However, courts have found that female employees can’t be made to wear sexually revealing clothing that may expose them to sexual harassment. Questions an employer should ask are, does this uniform promote a negative sexual stereotype? Are the female employees equally affected by the uniform requirement? Is the uniform consistent with the job for which they are employed? [1] Jespersen v. Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc. (2006) 444 F.3d 1104. [2] Jespersen, supra, at p. 1113. [3] Jespersen, supra, at p. 1109-1111. Jason Feldman negotiated a rare plea deal that involved a dismissal with a finding of factual innocence. The defendant was charged with Felony Vandalism (Penal Code § 59(a)). However, day of trial, Mr. Feldman arranged for a plea of no contest to Misdemeanor Disturbing the Peace (Penal Code § 415). The defendant was ordered to attend 10 anger management classes and, at sentencing next month, the charge will be dismissed with a finding of factual innocence.
A finding of factual innocence is a godsend to someone who has been wrongfully arrested. And for anyone who may have been properly apprehended but was later acquitted of the charges, a finding of factual innocence provides something a jury’s verdict cannot. When a jury acquits someone, it simply means that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proof for guilt; it does not necessarily mean the defendant didn’t commit the crime. Upon a finding of factual innocence, the law states that “the arrest shall be deemed not to have occurred and the person may answer accordingly any question relating to its occurrence.” In addition, the statute requires the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the offense (or the court) to issue a written declaration to the arrestee stating that he or she is factually innocent (Penal Code § 851.8(f)). A finding of factual innocence prevents current and potential employers, as well as anyone else seeking public records, from having access to any of the records that reveal the arrest. Although Labor Code § 432.7(a) generally prohibits an employer from asking about any arrest that did not result in conviction, job inquiries are only the tip of the iceberg. An arrest record can have a dramatic impact on a host of matters: child custody, adoption, school admission, licensing, credit, insurance premiums, and—perhaps most important of all—a person’s reputation in the community. The two relevant cause of action are intentional interference with economic advantage; and interference with existing and prospective contractual relations.
1. The elements for a cause of action for intentional interference with economic advantage are: (1) an economic relationship between the plaintiff and some third party, with the probability of future economic benefit to the plaintiff; (2) the defendant’s knowledge of the relationship; (3) intentional acts on the part of the defendant designed to disrupt the relationship; (4) actual disruption of the relationship; and (5) economic harm to the plaintiff proximately caused by the acts of the defendant.[1] The wrinkle with this cause of action is that the intentional acts aimed to disrupt a relationship (#3) requires an ‘independent wrongful act’ such as fraud or another tortious means. It is not just beating someone out for a job or contract, but doing so by doing something unfair [libel, slander, etc.] to disrupt relationships with third parties. 2. The elements for interference with existing and prospective contractual relations are: (1) a valid contract between plaintiff and a third party; (2) defendant’s knowledge of this contract; (3) defendant’s intentional acts designed to induce a breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; (4) actual breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; and (5) resulting damage.”[2] Wrongfulness independent of the inducement to breach the contract is not an element of the tort of intentional interference with existing contractual relations. Because interference with an existing contract receives greater solicitude than does interference with prospective economic advantage. It is not necessary that the defendant’s conduct be wrongful apart from the interference with the contract itself. It is necessary to distinguish the tort of interference with an existing contract because the exchange of promises which cements an economic relationship as a contract is worthy of protection from a stranger to the contract. Intentionally inducing or causing a breach of an existing contract is therefore a wrong in and of itself. Because this formal economic relationship does not exist and damages are speculative when remedies are sought for interference in what is only prospective economic advantage, some wrongfulness apart from the impact of the defendant’s conduct on that prospect should be required. Additional aspect of wrongfulness is not an element of the tort of intentional interference with an existing contract. Moreover, the tort of intentional interference with performance of a contract does not require that the actor’s primary purpose be disruption of the contract. As explained in comment j to section 766 of the Restatement Second of Torts: “The rule stated in this Section is applicable if the actor acts for the primary purpose of interfering with the performance of the contract, and also if he desires to interfere, even though he acts for some other purpose in addition. The rule is broader, however, in its application than to cases in which the defendant has acted with this purpose or desire. It applies also to intentional interference, in which the actor does not act for the purpose of interfering with the contract or desire it but knows that the interference is certain or substantially certain to occur as a result of his action. The rule applies, in other words, to an interference that is incidental to the actor’s independent purpose and desire but known to him to be a necessary consequence of his action. “One who intentionally and improperly interferes with the performance of a contract (except a contract to marry) between another and a third person by inducing or otherwise causing the third person not to perform the contract, is subject to liability to the other for the pecuniary loss resulting to the other from the failure of the third person to perform the contract.”[3] “The fact that this interference with the other’s contract was not desired and was purely incidental in character is, however, a factor to be considered in determining whether the interference is improper. If the actor is not acting criminally nor with fraud or violence or other means wrongful in themselves but is endeavoring to advance some interest of his own, the fact that he is aware that he will cause interference with the plaintiff’s contract may be regarded as such a minor and incidental consequence and so far removed from the defendant’s objective that as against the plaintiff the interference may be found to be not improper.”[4] [1] Korea Supply Company v. Lockheed Martin Corporation, (2003) 29 Cal.4th 1134, 1153. [2] Quelimane Company, Inc. v. Stewart Title Guaranty Company, 19 Cal. 4th 26 (1998); Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Bear Stearns & Co., 270 Cal. Rptr. 1 (1990). [3] Rest. 2d Torts, § 766. [4] Rest. 2d Torts, § 766, com. j at p. 12; Quelimane Company, supra. When are individual shareholders liable for the acts of a corporation? The Alter Ego Doctrine9/19/2013 The alter ego doctrine is used to establish the direct liability of a shareholder or owner when the shareholder or owner improperly uses the corporate entity to commit acts which harm the corporation itself, or third persons involved with the corporation.
Despite the common thinking that shareholders are immune from the debts and obligations of a corporation, sometimes, in extraordinary circumstances, those shareholders can be made to answer for the corporate debts. It is a long held rule of law in California that the courts must recognize the limited liability afforded by the corporate entity. However, in certain circumstances where equity dictates, the courts may, upon a substantial showing of facts, find an exception to the rule. That exception is called the alter-ego doctrine. The first case which deviated from the ordinary rule of separate corporate existence was decided in 1921 by the California Supreme Court in Minifie v. Rowley.[1] There, the Court set forth the elements required to be present in order for the shareholders to be made liable for corporate obligations. The Minifie holding formed the basis for the alter-ego doctrine which has been evolving into a substantial body of law ever since. BASICS OF THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE Under the alter-ego doctrine, when the corporate form is used to perpetuate a fraud, circumvent a statute, or accomplish some other wrongful or inequitable purpose, the courts may disregard the corporate entity and hold its individual shareholders liable for the actions of the corporation. “The separate personality of the corporation is a statutory privilege, and it must be used for a legitimate business purpose and must not be perverted. When it is abused it will be disregarded and the corporation looked at as a collection or association of individuals.”[2] The alter-ego doctrine is intended to prevent individuals or other corporations from misusing the corporate laws by the device of a sham corporate entity formed for the purpose of committing fraud or other misdeeds. In California, there is no litmus test for applying the alter-ego doctrine remedy; however, the courts have consistently stated that there are two general requirements for application of the alter ego doctrine:
The test is easy to state, but courts have found it difficult to apply. While the test is consistently stated, most cases have avoided formulas and tests and relied instead on the discretion of the trial court. SHOWING UNITY OF INTEREST Those factors tending to show a “unity of interest” are as follows: 1. Commingling of funds and assets. 2. Failure to segregate funds. 3. Diversion of funds or assets. 4. Treatment by shareholder of corporate assets as own. 5. Failure to maintain minutes. 6. Identical equitable ownership in two entities. 7. Officers and Directors of one entity same as controlled corporation. 8. Use of the same office or business location. 9. Employment of same employees. 10. Total absence of corporate assets. 11. Under-capitalization. 12. Use of Corporation as mere shell. 13. Instrumentality or conduit for single venture of another corporation. 14. Concealment or misrepresentation of the responsible ownership, management and financial interests. 15. Concealment or misrepresentation of personal business activities. 16. Disregard of legal formalities. 17. Failure to maintain arms length relationships among related equities. 18. The use of the corporate identity to procure labor, services or merchandise for another entity. 19. The Diversion of assets from a corporation by or to a stockholder or other person or entity to the detriment of creditors. 20. The manipulation of corporate assets and liabilities in entities so as to concentrate the assets in one and the liabilities in another. 21. The contracting with another with the intent to avoid performance by use of the corporation entity as a shield against personal liability. 22. The use of the corporation as subterfuge for illegal transactions. 23. The formation and use of a corporation to transfer to it the existing liability. In considering the factors on this list, appellate courts have held no one factor is conclusive. It is within the trial court’s discretion to consider the presence or absence of any of these factors or other relevant circumstances. DEMONSTRABLE INEQUITABLE RESULT A Plaintiff may not prevail on the theory of alter-ego unless he/she/it proves to the Court that an inequitable result will occur if the Court recognizes the corporate form over the substance and nature of the injury. The doctrine does not depend upon the presence of actual fraud, but is designed to prevent what would be fraud or an injustice. Accordingly, bad faith, in one form or another, is an underlying consideration. Without a showing of wrongdoing, violation of statute or evidence of injustice, the alter-ego exception cannot be employed by the Court as a remedy. The essence of the alter-ego doctrine is that justice be done. Although courts have considered many factors in justifying its application, their basic motivation is to assure a just and equitable result. CONCLUSION 1. The Alter-ego doctrine is an exception to the rule. 2. The Alter-ego doctrine is an equitable remedy to prevent injustice. 3. The Court is never required to employ the Alter-ego doctrine. 4. The doctrine may only be employed on a case by case basis depending on the facts. 5. Alter-ego liability is a question of fact, not law. 6. Because the exception arises as an equitable remedy and not a cause of action, there is no right to a jury trial. [1] Minifie v. Rowley, (1921) 87 Cal. 481, 202 P. 673. [2] In re: International Cab Company, No. Dist Court, Bank 98-30535 WDM. Where a party uses the work of another without its express written permission, authorization or consent that party may be in violation the United States Copyright Act.
The owner of a copyright has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following: (1) to reproduce the copyrighted work in copies or phonorecords; (2) to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work; (3) to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. Anyone who violates any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner by copying, modifying and/or reproducing a party’s work is considered an “infringer” of the copyright as well as an “infringer” of the rights of the author. In order to prevail on a claim for copyright infringement, a Plaintiff must initially show that the application has been filed and either factual evidence of copying or that the defendant had access to the copyrighted work and that the offending and copyrighted works are so similar, that the Court may infer that there was factual copying. A Plaintiff need only then prove that the works are “substantially similar.” Damages for Infringement. The owner of the exclusive rights granted under the Act may institute an action for damages for infringement. The owner may seek “Statutory Damages” for each and every infringement committed by the company. “Statutory Damages” allow for the recovery of damages per infringement in a sum of not less than $750 or more than $30,000. In an instance, however, where the copyright owner can sustain the burden of proving that the infringement was committed willfully, the court may increase the award of statutory damages to a sum of $150,000. This can add up. For example, concerning infringement of a software program, infringement occurs each time the software is installed on a defendant’s computer without the authorization of the copyright owner. In addition, an infringement occurs each time the software is “booted up.” In other words, for purposes of the statute, an infringement occurs every time the software is loaded from some storage medium, such as a diskette or a computer’s hard drive, into the computer’s random access memory (RAM). Thus, an infringement occurs each time the computer bearing the unauthorized software is activated. Finally, a Plaintiff may also recover costs and reasonable Attorney’s Fees. See Title 17 USC Section 505. |
Blog On Current Legal MattersBy Jason K. FeldmanArchives
February 2016
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