Representative Matters

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

CohenDurrett trained the management team for one of the largest nut manufacturers in California.

After a large national law firm charged a client in excess of one hundred thousand dollars and did not defeat the claim, Cohen Durrett successfully defeated the claim in less than six months, for less than twenty thousand dollars.

CohenDurrett represented a corporate client and withstood one of the largest Teamster campaigns to date by properly organizing the client, and Teamster walked away from the negotiation.

CohenDurrett continues to handle union matters on of behalf of employers, including resisting organizing campaigns, handling strikes, labor negotiations and decertification of unions.

A major food franchisor utilizes CohenDurrett to prepare prototype employee handbooks and employment policies for use by franchisees; and directly hires the firm for training and management consulting.

CohenDurrett was retained by one client to provide advice on the termination of a principal corporate officer, and by another client to investigate a sexual harassment claim against its human resource director.

After twenty five years, and more than seventy-five cases before the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, not one client has had a complaint brought against it for discrimination as all allegations have been dismissed.

Numerous regional and national firms utilize CohenDurrett for ongoing advice on employment matters and training, as well as representation before administrative agencies.

CohenDurrett represented an employer who produced packages of cut fresh fruit. An employee filed a complaint against the employer alleging failure to accommodate and wrongful constructive termination in violation of public policy. The plaintiff maintained that she was not provided reasonable accommodation and was terminated because of her disability. Defendant maintained that plaintiff had not been terminated or denied accommodation. The matter went to trial in Yolo County, where plaintiff requested an amount to compensate her damages in excess of $300,000.00 and punitive damages. The jury awarded less than $17,000.00 representing past wages only.

CohenDurrett represented an insurance company sued by its employee, an insurance claims adjuster, alleging that she was not provided reasonable accommodation and was terminated by the employer because of her disability. The employee allegedly suffered a work stress-related claim; however, she refused to pursue a workers compensation claim. She requested reasonable accommodation to change the clients for whom she would provide services and what percentage of time would be devoted to those clients.

Her employment was terminated because she refused to submit to a medical examination to determine the extent of her psychological damages, which was needed in order to evaluate the request for reasonable accommodation. On behalf of the employer, CohenDurrett filed a motion for summary judgment. The motion was granted resulting in a judgment for the employer. The employee subsequently appealed. The appeal was denied. Cohen Durrett also represented the employer during the appeal.