Trial Experience

Samuel G. Jackson, Jr. heads up Jackson & Associates trial team. Following is a list of some of our more recent employment and other tort-related trials:

1. White v. Family Restaurants - Los Angeles County Superior Court - This case alleged race discrimination in a public accommodation (a restaurant). The plaintiff was a movie star and his attorney was a high profile plaintiff's attorney. The jury rendered a defense verdict in favor of our client.
2. Torres v. Kodak - Los Angeles County Superior Court. This case alleged discrimination based on national origin and sought punitive damages. After a trial lasting several weeks, the jury reached a defense verdict in favor of our client.
3. Eidem v. Clorox - Superior Court for State of California. This case alleged age and disability discrimination. The jury's verdict awarded plaintiff approximately one-third of the amount which defendant had offered before trial.
4. Lamb v. Chrysler - Orange County Superior Court - In this products liability (seat belt failure) case, plaintiff alleged serious closed head/neuropsychological injuries. After a six-week trial, and only two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict.
5. Comstock, et al. v. Chevron Land and Development - U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This environmental matter was brought pursuant to federal statutes. It was a bench trial that settled after all of the evidence had been presented, but before the judge issued an official verdict.
6. Kirkland and Porter v. Unex, et al. - Los Angeles County Superior Court. Unex Corporation manufactured a piece of industrial equipment in this products liability/personal injury matter. The plaintiffs were injured in an industrial explosion and fire and alleged serious physical injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. After a two-month trial, the jury entered a defense verdict in favor of our client and an award in favor of our client on a cross-complaint for indemnity.

Recent Appellate and Summary Judgment Experience
Our law and motion team is headed up by Ms. JoAnn Victor. Some of Jackson & Associates' most recent appeals and dispositive motions are as follows:

Appeals:

1. Peck v. USC and Goulis - Plaintiff alleged age discrimination, disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation in violation of public policy. Jackson & Associates negotiated a dismissal of the individual defendant, and then prevailed on a motion for summary judgment on behalf of the University of Southern California. On appeal, plaintiff alleged that the court had impermissibly commented on the facts of the case, had misunderstood the meaning of an "adverse employment action" and had abused plaintiff's rights of full discovery. On review, the court of appeal affirmed the lower court's granting of the motion for summary judgment.
2. Tomita v. Prudential Insurance Company - Plaintiff filed an employment discrimination and breach of contract case that the trial judge dismissed for failure to timely prosecute. The appellate court affirmed the judgment in favor of our client, Prudential.
3. Kirkland and Porter v. Unex, et al. - In this personal injury matter, Jackson & Associates opposed the cross-defendant's request to have the jury verdict set aside for both legal and factual defects (see description of trial above). The Court of Appeal affirmed the verdict in favor of our client.

Motions for Summary Judgment/Adjudication:

1. Wheeler v. Kodak - U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Jackson & Associates represented Kodak in this ERISA and wrongful death case. After the motion for summary judgment was filed, plaintiff dismissed the suit in exchange for a waiver of costs.
2. Nivas v. General Electric - Los Angeles County Superior Court. Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination and discrimination based on his ethnicity. After the motion for summary judgment was filed, plaintiff settled for 10% of his original settlement demand rather than respond to our motion.
3. Terry v. General Electric - Los Angeles County Superior Court. Jackson & Associates secured for General Electric a summary adjudication of issues relating to defamation and age-discrimination, the latter of which carried a risk of punitive damages and attorneys' fees. The remaining breach-of-contract claims were resolved by settlement.
4. Southern California Kleen v. Prudential Insurance Company - Los Angeles County Superior Court. Plaintiff's lawsuit alleged breach of contract, fraud, and 11 other causes of action. Rather than respond to our summary judgment motion, plaintiff dismissed 11 causes of action, including those alleging punitive damages. The case settled shortly thereafter for a nominal amount.
5. Rogers v. Prudential Insurance Company - U.S. District Court for Central District of California. On summary judgment motion, the court dismissed plaintiff's initial causes of action in this employment discrimination case. At the hearing, the court granted plaintiff leave to amend the complaint to add a new cause of action and the case settled shortly thereafter.
6. White v. Bausch & Lomb - Los Angeles County Superior Court. In this products liability matter arising from a ski injury involving sunglasses, the case settled before the court rendered its judgment. However, before the court was notified of the settlement of the case, it issued a judgment in favor of our client.