employment law

LA Times calls on Leslie Levy to discuss Toobin’s indecent Zoom exposure

LVBH Partner Leslie Levy was recently interviewed for a column regarding CNN legal analyst and New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin’s indecent exposure during a Zoom meeting. The column, published recently in the Los Angeles Times, considers what has been learned in the age of #MeToo. It also discusses whether Zoom meetings are considered workplace meetings. Ms. Levy believes they are, adding “I think his colleagues probably could make a complaint of sexual harassment against the employer.”

The attorneys of LVBH represent plaintiffs in employment cases who have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. If you are seeking legal representation, please complete our intake form.

Wendy Musell Interviewed on Trend in Tech Industry Pay Cuts

Computer screen with virtual meeting — Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

The Daily Journal interviewed LVBH attorney Wendy Musell to gather her expert opinion for an article about the trend of technology industry employers introducing pay cuts for workers who have left the Bay Area.

Employers often include cost of living expenses in their compensation packages. As the majority of workers are working remotely, some have chosen to move to regions with a lower cost of living. California employers have increasingly been reducing the pay of these at-will employees. Ms. Musell cautions that employers need to be wary that the cuts are not violating employee rights laws such as the Equal Pay Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Lawdragon names Wendy Musell as one of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers

Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams LLP is honored that attorney Wendy Musell has been selected to the Lawdragon guide of the top 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers in the nation for 2020.

The guide highlights lawyers across the nation working for the rights of employees. This is the third consecutive year the guide has been published. Ms. Musell has been included in the guide since it’s inception. The guide is produced through nominations and independent journalistic research vetted by peers and adversaries.

Established in 2005, Lawdragon is a media company that offers free online news and editorial features for the legal industry, including guides to the nation’s leading attorneys.

Wendy Musell joins Governor Newsom for the signing of SB 1383

Screenshot of Gov. Newsom at signing of SB 1383 — Gov. Newsom with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the signing of SB 1383.

On September 17, 2020, LVBH attorney Wendy Musell and her family joined California Governor Gavin Newsom and workers rights advocates to witness the Governor sign historic legislation which will provide family medical leave protections to six million more Californians. Senate Bill (SB) 1383 guarantees job-protected leave for Californians who work for an employer with five or more employees to care for a new baby, an ill family member, their own illness, or to address a military exigency.

Wendy was invited to participate in the signing ceremony because of her advocacy on behalf of workers through the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organizational sponsor of this important new law.

LVBH ADDS TWO ATTORNEYS TO ITS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams LLP, a boutique worker’s rights firm, has now expanded its ranks by adding two more accomplished employment attorneys to its roster – Wendy Musell and Rebecca Kagin. Both women will be joining the firm as Of Counsel.

Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams LLP, with offices in Oakland, has championed justice and fairness for California workers for the last decade. Their representation has included employees in individual lawsuits and class actions, from the Oakland Raiderettes class action against wage theft to Tyann Sorrell’s sexual harassment lawsuit against the former Dean of UC Berkeley’s law school, and from a dishwasher’s wrongful termination lawsuit against Denny’s to defending #MeToo silence breaker Pamela Lopez in a defamation claim brought by the disgraced California State Assemblyman she accused of sexual assault.

Wendy Musell, who is immediate past President of the California Employment Lawyer’s Association, has distinguished herself as a leading attorney in the field of whistleblower protection, representing government and private employees who call out corruption in the workplace. Wendy will spearhead the firm’s new federal employment law practice. “I am thrilled to be joining a firm I have long admired for its commitment to worker justice,” says Musell. “They are deeply committed to worker rights and have the experience, history of success and fighting spirit to make lasting change,” added Musell.

Rebecca Kagin, who has been representing workers for almost two decades, is recognized as one of the leading employment lawyers in the North Bay. She and LVBH have a long-standing relationship as co-counsel on many cases. Kagin says “It is a privilege to join a team that I know can rally forces to tackle a wide range of injustices faced by workers. This team hears its clients, sees its clients, and fights for them every step of the way with skill and passion.”

In honor of adding Ms. Kagin and Ms. Musell to the firm, LVBH has kicked off a $10,000 fundraising campaign — the “Champions Match” — to benefit two organizations – the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (whose mission is to work for racial justice, equality and an inclusive society) and FAIR Foundation (whose mission is to promote diversity within the plaintiffs’ employment bar.)

The firm’s pop-art inspired announcement of its expansion, with donation links for the Champions Match, is available here. For further information regarding the firm and its newest members, visit www.levyvinick.com or call Sharon Vinick at 510-318-7702.

Bloomberg covers shareholder battle against forced arbitration at Tesla

Tesla building — Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

A recent Bloomberg article shined the light on an investor’s efforts to get Tesla to stop forcing its employees into arbitration in employment disputes. The automotive giant has faced multiple claims of race discrimination and the socially-responsible investor, Kristin Hull, is pushing for change through a shareholder resolution.

As part of its coverage of this important issue, Bloomberg reached out to LVBH’s Hilary Hammell for expert commentary. Hilary co-authored an opinion piece in the Washington Post entitled “Black workers matter, so end forced arbitration.”

LVBH Client Featured in New York Times Article

The New York Times published an article discussing a lawsuit filed by LVBH on behalf of Emily Kramer against her former employer, the financial technology company Carta. In her lawsuit, Kramer alleges claims for gender discrimination, denial of equal pay, retaliation, and wrongful termination. As the article notes, Ms. Kramer claims that she was paid less than her male peers and that Henry Ward, the CEO of Carta, disparaged her with vulgarity.