Pine & Pine

PINE & PINE News

Norman Pine honored by The Daily Journal as one of California’s top 10 plaintiffs’ employment lawyers.  (July 15, 2009)

Norman Pine’s extensive experience in Employment Law includes the following:

A.        AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

  • "Joe Posner Award, 2008" awarded by California Employment Lawyers Association (“CELA”) for “continuous dedication to the advancement and protection of employee rights.”

  • "Top 100" Southern California Super Lawyers (Appellate Law) -2009 Southern California Super Lawyers (Appellate Law) -2008

  • "Appellate Lawyer of the Year Award, 2003" awarded by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles ("CAALA")

  •   AV-rating (Martindale-Hubbell).

  •   Certified Appellate Law Specialist (State Bar of California Board of  Legal Specialization)

B.  APPELLATE VICTORIES AND OTHER IMPORTANT APPELLATE DECISIONS (EMPLOYMENT LAW):

  • Boston v. Penny Lane Centers, Inc (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 936 [affirming compensatory and punitive damages verdict in retaliation case.  Also rejecting defendant’s suggested rule of law that expert reports and writings must be created by the specified exchange date or not at all.

  • Bressler v. City of Los Angeles, 2009 WL 200242 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [affirming over $1.7 million in damages, exclusive of attorneys fees, for retaliation against fire captain for complaining about discrimination and harassment.

  • Bullock v. Philip Morris USA, Inc. (2008) 59 Cal.App.4th 655 [co-authored CELA's amicus brief re jury instructions in case involving $28 million punitive damages award.]

  • Jones v. Social Vocational Services, Inc., 2008 WL 2514055 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [obtaining reversal of summary adjudication rulings barring causes of action for disability discrimination, failure to accommodate in violation of FEHA, and violation of the CFRA are reversed.]

  • Constance Tovar v. Bank Of America, 2009 WL 215145 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [handled appeals and cross-appeals in action involving verdicts for age harassment and directed verdicts on wrongful termination and punitive damages claims.]

C. FAVORABLE SETTLEMENTS IN 7 OR 8 FIGURE CASES ON APPEAL (EMPLOYMENT CASES ONLY):

Lozano v. Alcoa Fastenings Systems, Inc., Case No. B192903 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [case involving $9 million punitive damages award settled favorably after major briefing completed on appeal.].

Ismen v. Beverly Community Hospital, Case No. B212431 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [case involving 7-figure judgment for disability discrimination and failure to accommodate settled while on appeal.]

D. MATTERS BRIEFED AND AWAITING DECISION (EMPLOYMENT CASES ONLY):

  • Roby v McKesson, (S149752) (Cal Supreme Court) [$19 million jury verdict, remitted to $4 million by appellate court, is pending in California Supreme Court and raises a number of cutting edge issues both about California harassment law and state and federal punitive damages law. Briefng included responses to multiple amicus briefs.]

  • Lee v. City of Los Angeles, Case No. B202865 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.) [defending appeal of $6.5 million verdict obtained for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.]  

  • Magana v. Puelma et al., Case Number G039684 (4th Dist, Div. 3) [raises issues about scope of FEHA to protect claimed independent contractor, “me too” evidence and punitive damages.]

E. MAGAZINES EDITED:

Annual Employment Law Issue of CAALA’s magazine ADVOCATE -2009

Annual Employment Law Issue of CAALA’s magazine ADVOCATE -2008

F. SPEECHES/LECTURES (Employment law and/or appellate related):

  • CELA – Effective Appellate Writing Seminar for Employment Lawyers (July 26, 2008)

  • National Employment Lawyers Association ("NELA") "Effective Appellate Advocacy (California Law)" (scheduled for June, 2009)

  • Consumer Attorneys of California ("CAOC") employment law topic to be arranged (November, 2009)

  • CAALA Las Vegas Convention, September, 2009 "Preserving the Record for Appeal"

  • Continuing Education of the Bar ("CEB") program (co-presenter) "Handling Civl Appeals & Writs in California State Courts" (October, 2008)

G. PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE

  • Appointed mediator for Second Appellate District Court of Appeal’s settlement program.

  • Serves with real appellate justices as a justice in the Roger Traynor Moot Court Competition.