Pending Cases Of Note
National Lawyers Guild v. City of L.A.
Wadkins v. Ford Motor Company, et al.
Tulare County Superior Court, Consolidated Case Nos. 99-189188, 99-188451
The firm represents the families of six people who were killed in a single vehicle accident, when the 1991 Ford Tempo in which they were traveling suddenly veered off a country highway, struck a bridge abutment and plunged into a cold water canal. In this action, the plaintiffs contend that a defective condition of the Ford Tempo caused a loss of vehicle control, which led to the fatal accident. The plaintiffs also contend that the poor condition of the roadway and the lack of guardrail road approaching the canal further contributed to the victims' deaths. Trial is sent for September 23, 2002.
Dorriah Page v. Los Angeles Times, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC262884
The firm represents Dr. Dorriah Page, the founder and former CEO of Ceryx, Inc. in a libel action against the Los Angeles Times. Dr. Page alleges that she was defamed by an article in the business section of the Los Angeles Times which falsely portrayed her as a dishonest business woman and that as a result of the defamatory article, she was forced out of her position at Ceryx and has suffered financial ruin.
LeMenn v. Las Vegas Metro Police Department
United States District Court, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Case No. CV-S-01-0255-PMP-RJJ
The firm represents the father of Philippe LeMenn. The lawsuit alleges that Mr. LeMenn was beaten and killed by Las Vegas Metro Police Department jail guards. Mr. LeMenn was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after acting in a bizarre fashion. Instead of getting him prompt medical attention, the defendants allowed him to languish in a jail cell for hours. After being moved to a cell allegedly for his own protection, Mr. LeMenn was punched repeatedly in the face by a jail guard. After Mr. LeMenn attempted to escape the attack, he was tackled and restrained by several jail guards. The Clark County coroner attributed his death to asphyxiation due to restraint. The lawsuit alleges that the failure to provide prompt medical attention and the use of excessive force to restrain Mr. LeMenn caused his death and violated the civil rights of Mr. LeMenn and his father.
Xue Lu and Jie Hao v. United States of America
United States District Court, Central District of California
Case No.CV 01-01758 MRP (BQRx)
The firm represents two female Chinese Asylum applicants who allege that they were sexually harassed and assaulted by their asylum officer. The officer demanded entry into each of their homes whereupon he allegedly demanded sexual favors and money in return for a favorable decision in their asylum application. The firm cooperated with the United States Attorney's office in setting up a sting operation which resulted in confirmation of the allegations of extortion.
John Doe v. Southern California Edison
Los Angeles County Superior Court
The firm represents a long-term employee who alleges that he was repeatedly sexually harassed by co-workers and supervisors because they perceived him to be gay even though he was married. The allegations include a co-worker forcing the plaintiff's head into his groin area, humping the plaintiff from behind, repeated verbal accusations that the plaintiff was having sex with male co-workers and a harassing poster accusing the plaintiff of being gay.
Carreon v. Kremen
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Case No. C01-20195 RMW ARB
The firm represents Charles Carreon, an attorney who represented Gary Kremen, an individual who first registered the domain name, Sex.com. Mr. Carreon represented Mr. Kremen in an action against Stephen Cohen, who stole the web-site and developed it into one of the most profitable adult web-sites in the world. Mr. Carreon agreed to represent Mr. Kremen for a reduced fee of $100 per hour plus a 15% interest in the domain name. After Mr. Kremen prevailed on summary judgment and received the rights to the domain name, he terminated Mr. Carreon and informed him that he would not pay him the agreed upon 15% interest in the web-site. The web-site has been valued at Forty Million Dollars. The Complaint alleges that Mr. Carreon was unjustly deprived of the agreed upon compensation for the fruits of his labor.
