Steve joined the Los Angeles office in 1997 and has developed an extensive negotiation and litigation practice. Steve has expertise in advising and defending public agencies regarding the laws and regulations of public employee retirement plans, such as PERS, as well as on retiree health insurance issues. This includes advising and representing clients in administrative hearings and court as well as negotiating changes to retiree benefits.
Steve has expertise in the area of STRS, PERS, the County 1937 Retirement Act, and related retirement issues. He assists clients who have been audited by PERS in responding to the audit. He reviews the audit report and advises the client on the best course of action. This could include an appeal of PERS' findings.
Steve has developed an expertise in employee industrial disability retirement procedures. He represents clients in the administrative hearing and in court when employees challenge a denial of their industrial disability retirement application. Steve also advises clients with regard to their obligations and rights when dealing with injured and disabled employees.
Steve acts as chief negotiator for our clients in their labor negotiations with their employee associations. He advises clients on contract interpretation issues and represents clients in grievance matters.
Steve defends our clients in a wide range of lawsuits, including writs, breach of contract, the Fair Labor Standards Act, discrimination and harassment. In addition, Steve represents our clients in employee disciplinary hearings.