Breach of Fiduciary Duty in Los Angeles
$246,459.65 ARBITRATION AWARD IN CASE AGAINST FORMER EMPLOYMENT LAWYER WHO OVER BILLED CLIENT ON DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION CASE AGAINST WAL-MART
On September 9, 2013 Karl Gerber, Lead Counsel of the Employment Lawyers Group won a $246,459.65 binding arbitration award against a Long Beach employment lawyer who entered into a billable arrangement with a former $10.62 an hour employee of Wal-Mart who was fired due to alleged disability discrimination. The arbitrator ruled that the former lawyer’s conduct was a breach of fiduciary duty, violated business and Professions Code Sections pertaining to the ethical conduct of lawyers, and necessitated declaratory relief.
Fiduciary Survey Nationwide
In the 2008-2010 time frame Karl Gerber interviewed hundreds of employee lawyers across the country in order to put together a nationwide employee law practice. In setting up a nationwide plaintiff’s employment practice he came across a number of alleged employee lawyers whose practice was to take money from the client up-front. While these practices may exist in states other than California, terminated employees need to particularly aware that there are many lawyers in California who handle employment cases on a contingency. Taking an employment case on a contingency means that the lawyer is not paid any fees until money is collected on the employment lawsuit. Contingency also means that the lawyer must advance reasonable costs opposed to asking the client for costs. The Employment Lawyers Group does believes that it is generally within the employee’s interest for them to ever pay up front for their lawyers’ time in an employment dispute.
The amount of time it takes to prosecute an employment lawsuit will often lead to legal bills that are too higher based upon the value of the case. If a lawyer is not willing to do the case on a contingency there is a strong possibility that the amount charged will exceed the settlement of the employment case, or even the probable trial verdict or arbitration award. The truth is genuine employee lawyers are there to help the client opposed to their pocket book which is one of the conclusions in the attorney over billing case Mr. Gerber won. Breach of fiduciary duty means that the lawyer put their interests above the client’s.
Our Firm: No upfront fees or costs
Contingency Fee Representation
All employment cases for employees are taken on a contingency basis. We are only paid a fee when and if we win your case, and we advance all litigation costs. Our goal is to make expert legal representation accessible to every hardworking employee.
Serving Los Angeles County
We have proudly served all of Los Angeles County since 1993.
The Employment Lawyers Group has successfully handled
2,000+
Separate California Employment Cases
Media Engagements
Practice Areas
Discrimination
Age, Disability, Family Medical Leave (FMLA/CFRA), Gender, National Origin, Pregnancy, Race, and Sexual Orientation claims.
Unpaid Wages & Overtime
Recovering earnings for Overtime, Bonuses, Commissions, Meal & Rest Breaks, and Prevailing Wage violations.
Sexual Harassment
Compassionate and effective representation for victims of sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims.
Wrongful Termination
Representing employees terminated in violation of public policy, contracts, or California and Federal law.
Leaves & Retaliation
Protecting employees who face adverse actions after reporting illegal activity or taking protected medical leave.
Whistleblowers
Advocating for employees who report fraud, waste, or abuse in their organizations under whistleblower protections.
Our California Locations
Bakersfield
5401 Business Park S, #214,
Bakersfield CA 93309
Sacramento
777 Campus Commons Rd, #200,
Sacramento CA 95825
San Francisco
524 Union St, #400,
San Francisco CA 94133
Additional Sites
About Firm Founder, Karl Gerber
Firm Founder, Karl Gerber, has been an employment wrongful termination attorney since 1993. He has represented a wide range of employees throughout California.
Mr. Gerber has won 51 of the binding arbitrations and jury trials he first chaired, and a number of his appeals are published. This deep trial experience is the foundation of the firm's strategic approach to litigation.
The employment attorneys employed by the Employment Lawyers Group have worked at the firm well in excess of five years, have also tried many different labor cases, and have all been extensively trained on employment wrongful termination by Karl Gerber.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Your rights as an employee matter. Contact us for a free, confidential case review.
Contact Us
Share Your Workplace Situation Directly With Our Attorneys Via This Form.