Bradley D. Ross' employment law experience includes representing small to Fortune 500 employers in claims involving complex class action wage and hour issues, wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims in state and federal courts including the California Supreme Court. He regularly represents employers in claims before the California Employment Development Department, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Mr. Ross has extensive experience in the day-to-day counseling of employers on issues of hiring, employee discipline and termination, workplace investigations, wage and hour issues, discrimination and harassment, WARN Act and reduction-in-force issues, and in the preparation of employee handbooks and policies.
Mr. Ross' extensive business litigation expertise includes matters involving unfair business practices and related business torts, real estate disputes, partnership disputes, construction litigation, common carrier disputes and commercial litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution tribunals.
Mr. Ross also serves as General Counsel to the firm, has previously served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles Court system, has appeared as a Los Angeles area radio commentator on employment issues, and has been the subject of features in local and national legal publications. He the co-author of the Freeman Freeman & Smiley, LLP Employment Law Bulletin, which is periodically issued to clients, lawyers, and interested members of the community
Mr. Ross has been named to the Southern California Super Lawyers list in "Employment Law" (2010-2012, 2014-2015), a designation bestowed on only the top 5% of lawyers in this region.
Representative Clients and Matters
- Brinkley v. Public Storage, Inc. 167 Cal. App. 4th 1278 (2008) -- Made new law regarding California requirements for meal and rest breaks, as well as wage statements.
- Lee Myles Associates Corp. v. Paul Rubke Enterprises, Inc., 557 F. 1134 (S.D.Cal. 2008) – Achieved dismissal of action for alleged breach of licensing agreement, trademark infringement and unfair competition, making new law regarding the disgorgement of profits under California’s Unfair Competition Law
- Pike v. Public Storage Companies, Inc. ARB No. 00-072, ALJ No. 1998-STA-35 (ARB Aug. 10, 1999) – Successfully defended claim brought under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.
- Hamid v. Price Waterhouse, et al. 51 F.3d 1411 (9th Cir. 1995) – Obtained dismissal of claims against Emirate of Abu Dhabi in an international banking dispute involving close to one hundred parties.
- Citibank v. Crowell, Weedon & Co., 4 Cal. App. 4th 844 (1992) – Represented broker-dealer in dispute regarding stolen bearer bonds.
- Cacciaguidi v. Superior Court, 226 Cal. App. 3d 181 (1990) – Represented broker-dealer in action for abuse of process and conspiracy.
- Won summary judgment and successfully represented Fortune 500 client in meal and rest break class action litigated to the California Supreme Court.
- Represented casino in defeating certification of class action involving thousands of class members. Developed unique defense strategy that was later adopted by other casinos.
- Successfully defended national retail store operator in wage and hour class action litigation.
- Represented national law firm in obtaining summary judgment on significant employment discrimination claims.
- Successfully defended Fortune 500 client in $30+ million software patent infringement claim.
- Represented nationally known franchisor in defeating action brought by a majority of the franchisees in a "bet-the-company" case seeking dissolution of the franchise agreements.
- Created and coordinated the implementation of numerous reductions in force and plant closings for national companies.
- Obtained highly favorable settlement for a nationally known retailor following the destruction of its corporate headquarters due to construction defects.
- Obtained restitution in NASD securities fraud action on behalf of internationally renowned actors.
- Successfully represented marina operator in development dispute and environmental contamination action involving the Sacramento Delta.
- Obtained $10+ million judgment on behalf of a bank in connection with loan dispute.
Presentations & Publications
- Governor Brown Signs New Bill Requiring Paid Sick Leave | September 2014
Employment Law Bulletin
- California Minimum Wage Increase Impacts Certain Exempt Employees and Commissioned Inside Sales Employees | June 2014
Employment Law Bulletin
- IRS 2014 Mileage Rate Increase | January 2014
Employment Law Bulletin
- New Employment Laws for 2014 | January 2014
Employment Law Bulletin
- New California Overtime Requirements for Domestic Workers | September 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- Commissioned Employee Without a Guaranteed Minimum Salary Is Not Exempt | July 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- Employers Now Required to Use New and Revised I-9 Form | May 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- California Court Expands Amount of Leave Which Must be Provided to Employees Who Are Disabled by Pregnancy | April 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- Employers Arguing “Mixed Motive” Defense to FEHA Discrimination Claims May Now Avoid Liability | March 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- New Laws in Effect Regarding Employee Pregnancy Leave | February 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- Employee Commission Agreements Must Be In Writing Starting January 2013 | January 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- New Law Takes Effect January 1, 2013 Regarding Employee Wage Statements | January 2013
Employment Law Bulletin
- New Law To Take Effect January 1, 2013 Regarding Employee Access to Personnel Files | December 2012
Employment Law Bulletin
- Election Day 2012 – Time Off To Vote | November 2012
Employment Law Newsletter | November 2012
- Author | "Senate Bill 1186: curbing abusive disability access suits" | Los Angeles Daily Journal | October 2012
- Will A New Law Finally Bring Property Owners Relief From ADA Lawsuits? | October 2012
Employment Law Bulletin
- Arbitration Provisions In Employee Handbooks May Not Be Enforceable | September 2012
Employment Law Bulletin
- EEOC Issues Final Regulations for ADA Amendments Act - Expansion of 'Disability' | June 2011
Employment Law Bulletin
- Co-Author | "Recent Ninth Circuit Developments in Securities Law" | 13 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 985 | September 1980
- "Family Medical Leave Act: Leave Administration and Reasonable Accommodation Seminar" | Human Resources Managers of a prominent international food services company | June 2014