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Month: May, 2022
Early Sullivan Obtains Complete Defense For Sun West in Wrongful Termination, Disability Discrimination Case
Category: Results | Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 | Comments Off on Early Sullivan Obtains Complete Defense For Sun West in Wrongful Termination, Disability Discrimination Case
An Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae trial team, comprised of Scott Gizer, Diane Myint Luczon, Padideh Zargari, Cameron Aronson, D’Metria Bolden, and Jackie Hosey obtained a complete defense for its client Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. (“Sun West”) against claims asserted by a former employee for wrong termination, disability discrimination, retaliation and wage and hour violations allegedly in response to the employee’s cancer diagnosis. Specifically, the employee claimed that after he revealed his cancer diagnosis to his supervisor, he was denied leave, forced to work from the hospital, had support staff taken away and his compensation structure changed all in an effort to force him to quit. After a week-long arbitration, involving numerous fact witnesses and hundreds of exhibits, the Early Sullivan team convinced the arbitrator that the former employee was provided with all accommodations requested, that the employee elected not to go on leave so that he could maintain his full salary, that the changes in support staff were based on performance issues within his department, and that his change in compensation, and his ultimate termination, were due solely to financial issues Sun West was experiencing in 2018 and 2019. As a result, the arbitrator held that the former employee was to take nothing on his arbitration complaint, and that Sun West prevailed on all claims, entitling it to its costs.
Devin McRae Speaks with New York Times About Lawsuits in the Aftermath of Popular Home Makeover Shows
Category: Press | Friday, May 27th, 2022 | Comments Off on Devin McRae Speaks with New York Times About Lawsuits in the Aftermath of Popular Home Makeover Shows
In a recently published New York Times article exploring what goes on behind the scenes of popular home makeover television shows, Devin McRae weighs in on the construction lawsuits that have become increasingly common in their wake. The article describes how homeowners who participate in such shows are promised the home of their dreams, only to find in some cases that once the cameras are done filming, they are left with a “construction nightmare.” Homeowners who participated in many of the most popular home renovation shows revealed to the Times that after their episodes were complete, they were left with homes that were unfinished or poorly constructed, and rife with health and safety hazards due in part to workmanship that was not up to code.
The article details how the contracts that participants enter into to appear on such shows often include a strict waiver precluding participants from speaking to the media or press about their experience, and that legal recourse is discouraged. Still, the Times was able to take a closer look at numerous lawsuits, both settled and ongoing, that have been filed after homeowners appeared on shows including HGTV’s “Love It or List It,” Fox’s “Renovate My Family,” and others such as “Property Brothers” and “Flip or Flop Las Vegas.”
While some homeowners have sought significant reparations, Devin shares that the damages awarded in most construction lawsuits are likely to be for the cost to make the necessary repairs, and not much higher. “You’re probably not talking about seven figures,” he notes. “The fight is probably in the low hundreds.”
Read the full article below (subscription required).
What Goes On Behind the Cameras at Home Makeover Shows?
Devin McRae Attends Variety’s “Power of Law Breakfast”
Category: Events | Friday, May 27th, 2022 | Comments Off on Devin McRae Attends Variety’s “Power of Law Breakfast”
On April 20, 2022, Devin McRae attended Variety’s “Power of Law Breakfast,” an invitation-only event honoring attorneys selected to Variety’s annual “Legal Impact Report.” Attendees of the event and honorees of the “Legal Impact Report” are considered top attorneys in the entertainment business, and they are celebrated for their contributions to the entertainment industry and their handling of high-profile, influential matters for agencies, studios and networks. In his “Legal Impact Report” profile, Devin is recognized for his work this last year including a notable multi-million dollar jury verdict for actress Shannen Doherty.
Eric Early Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Top 100 Lawyers” List
Category: Awards, News | Monday, May 16th, 2022 | Comments Off on Eric Early Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Top 100 Lawyers” List
The firm is pleased to announce that Eric Early was recently selected to the Los Angeles Business Journal‘s inaugural “Top 100 Lawyers” list. The coveted list recognizes the region’s outstanding legal community by profiling Los Angeles’ top 100 lawyers for their legal achievements, community involvement, and impacts on the profession. Eric’s profile in the special issue discussed his status as one of the go-to attorneys for all of the major national title insurance companies including Fidelity National Financial, First American Title Insurance Company, and Stewart Title.
To view the full Los Angeles Business Journal “Top 100 Lawyers” issue, click here.