» 2016

Landmark rest-break case affirms $90 million summary judgment for plaintiff class

Augustus v. ABM Security Services, Inc. (2016) 2 Cal.5th 257 Obtained affirmance of $90 million summary judgment in favor of plaintiff class in rest-break class action, reversing adverse Court of Appeal opinion. The Supreme Court held that under California law, employers cannot required employees to remain “on call” during rest breaks. Read More

Supreme Court allows court-awarded attorney’s fees to be included in punitive-damage calculus in insurance bad-faith cases

Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Ins. Co. (2016) 63 Cal.4th 363 Held that Brandt fees awarded by trial court post-trial can properly be included in ratio of compensatory to punitive damages for purpose of federal due process review of punitive-damage award, reversing prior cases holding otherwise. Read More