LITIGATION

Our attorneys provide a full range of dispute resolution and litigation services, including advice and counseling on how to avoid legal disputes. In particular, Palmer Kazanjian has represented employers in defending all kinds of labor and employment related litigation.

We recognize that favorable results are not enough if they are obtained in an uneconomical manner. The considerable experience of our litigators allows us to efficiently identify issues and generate responsive strategies. We have handled matters in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. We also appear before administrative agencies and private arbitration and mediation.

Some of the areas of law we have litigated include:

EMPLOYMENT RELATED OR “BUSINESS” LITIGATION

Palmer Kazanjian counsels and represents business entities of all sizes. As a boutique law firm, we are small enough to identify with locally owned and operated businesses. We are big enough, however, to represent larger employers, including Fortune 500 companies.

Our trial attorneys have experience in litigating employment and labor related issues including, but limited to:

  • Assault & Battery Claims

  • Audits by Federal and State Agencies, e.g. Federal Department of Labor

  • Bonus and Commission Disputes

  • Breach of Contract

  • Breach of Loyalty and Fiduciary Duty

  • Civil Rights Claims

  • COBRA Claims

  • Collective Bargaining Issues

  • Compensation Issues, e.g. Wage & Hour Claims such as overtime and meal and rest period issues

  • Confidentiality Agreements

  • Defamation and Employee References Issues

  • Discrimination

  • Employment Contracts – Oral, Implied and Written

  • Infliction of Emotional Distress

  • Injunctive Relief to Prevent Unlawful Picketing/Strikes

  • Intentional Interference with Contract and Prospective Advantage

  • Leave of Absence Issues, e.g. Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”)

  • Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA and federal OSHA)

  • Plant Closings, e.g. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”)

  • Prevailing Wage Claims

  • Privacy Claims

  • Promissory Estoppel and Other Quasi-Contract Theories

  • Retaliation

  • Sexual Harassment

  • Trade Secrets (Misappropriation of)

  • Workers’ Compensation Claims

  • Wrongful Termination Claims

Palmer Kazanjian has also represented clients in numerous arbitrations, mediations, jury trials in state and federal trial courts, and as attorneys of record in appellate decisions, including cases before the United States and California Supreme Courts.

REAL ESTATE LAW

The firm’s litigation attorneys have extensive experience in assisting developers, owners, subcontractors, and general contractors in disputes including claims for breach of contract, defective construction, ADA accessibility compliance, negligence, insurance coverage, homeowner association disputes, fraud, failure to disclose property condition by seller, lease disputes, breach of fiduciary claims.

ESTATE AND TRUST LITIGATION

Palmer Kazanjian offers defense and petition representation for fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all types of trust and estate planning disputes. Our experienced trial attorneys are able to effectively analyze and resolve trust and estate litigation issues including will and trust contests, removal of fiduciaries and defense against motions for removal, undue influence, fraud, and contract disputes.

ERISA LITIGATION AND COUNSELING

Our attorneys have deep expertise in advising on ERISA and other benefits and compensation related manners ranging from 401(k) plans to non-qualified 409A programs to traditional defined benefit plans sponsored both by single employers and multiemployer Taft-Hartley trusts. Palmer Kazanjian’s litigators defend employers from ERISA claims and lawsuits involving matters such as withdrawal liability, benefit disputes, fiduciary responsibility, U.S. Department of Labor and IRS Examinations.

APPELLATE PRACTICE

We also have experience with writs and appeals in matters including business and civil litigation, employment, insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith. Our attorneys possess the skill and experience to master any substantive body of law, however complex or subtle.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (“ADR”)

It is understood that often a client’s primary objective is to resolve disputes in the most favorable and cost-efficient manner possible. Accordingly, Palmer Kazanjian provides candid advice and practical guidance to help such clients achieve their goals in resolving a dispute. Because of the firm’s extensive employment law and civil litigation experience, Palmer Kazanjian’s senior attorneys are available to act as arbitrators or mediators.