JON R. WILLIAMS
CASE RESULTS
Jon has prepared and argued numerous appeals and writs, many of which have resulted in both published and unpublished opinions on a wide variety of issues, including the following victories (this is a partial list for representative purposes only):
Labor & Employment: Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court
(2018) 4 Cal.5th 903
Establishing new definitional criteria for “employees” and “independent contractors” in California.
Employment: Tilkey v. Allstate Ins. Co.
(2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 521
Confirming that self-compelled defamation may provide a basis for a defamation per se cause of action against an employer.
Tort Duty of Care: McKenna v. Beasley
(2021) 67 Cal.App.5th 552
Establishing duty of care for independent contractors where licensure for work in question is required by statute.
Tort Duty of Care: Brown v. USA Taekwondo
(2021) 11 Cal.5th 204
Extending special relationship duty of care to Olympic National Governing Body to protect minor athletes from sexual abuse.
Insurance: McHugh v. Protective Life Ins. Co.
(2021) 12 Cal.5th 213
Confirming that consumer protection provisions in the Insurance Code apply to every life insurance policy in California, regardless of when those policies were originally issued.
Post-Trial Civil Procedure: Kabran v. Sharp Memorial Hospital
(2017) 2 Cal.5th 330
Clarifying jurisdictional deadlines in post-trial proceedings.
Medical Malpractice: Bigler-Engler v. Breg
(2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 276
Confirming that intentional concealment cause of action was not subject to Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA)
Terminating Discovery Sanctions: Lopez v. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
(2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 566
Reversing improperly imposed $13 million terminating discovery sanction.
Construction and Employment: Blackwell v. Vasilas
(2016) 244 Cal.App.4th 160
Establishing negligence duty owed by hirer of unlicensed contractor.
ERISA Rights and Remedies: Teutscher v. Woodson
(2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 1122
Elucidating availability of front-pay and other equitable remedies under ERISA.
Tort Duty and Punitive Damages: Conti v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc.
(2015) 235 Cal.App.4th 1214
Reversing $11 million in punitive damages for lack of cognizable legal duty.
Whistleblower Protection: Diego v. Pilgrim United Church of Christ
(2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 913
Expanding Labor Code protections for “perceived whistleblowers”
Employment Rights: SDUSD v. Commission on Professional Competence
(2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 1120
Restoring right of teacher to retain professional license by enforcing proper procedure for review of teacher competence.
Evidence/Elder Abuse: Nevarrez v. San Marino Skilled Nursing & Wellness Centre
(2013) 221 Cal.App.4th 102
Reversing mutli-million dollar verdict based upon misapplication of Business Records exception to the Hearsay Rule.
Employment/Preemption: Sciborski v. Pacific Bell Directory
(2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1152
Enforcing employment rights of unionized worker to pursue claims under California wage laws without being preempted under the federal Labor Management Relations Act.
Indian Sovereign Immunity: APMC v. Superior Court
(2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 491
Reversal of trial court’s grant of sovereign immunity to California corporation claiming that immunity as a subsidiary economic entity of the Sycuan Tribe while owning and operating the U.S. Grant Hotel.
Civil Rights: Crowe/Houser v. County of San Diego
(2010) 593 F.3d 841
Reversal of district court’s grant of qualified immunity in civil rights claims, establishing new precedent regarding attachment of 5th Amendment rights to custodial interrogations. Also included successfully defending against four separate petitions for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
Arbitration: Laswell v. A.G. Seal Beach, LLC
(2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1399
Reversal of trial court’s denial of petition to compel arbitration, enforcing binding arbitration agreement and establishin g new precedent for the enforcement of multi-party arbitration agreements.
Whistleblower Protection: Ohton v. Trustees of CSU (Ohton II)
(2010) 180 Cal.App.4th 1402
Reversal of denial of administrative writ of mandate, allowing client’s claim to trial and ultimately resulting in multi-million dollar settlement for client. Also included successfully defending result at the California Supreme Court through amicus participation in lead case (Runyon v. Trustees of CSU (2010) 48 Cal.4th 760).
Commercial Misappropriation: Miller v. Collectors Universe, Inc.
(2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 988
Reversal of judgment, allowing client new trial on claims for misappropriation of his name and likeness.
Class Action Procedure: Lee v. Dynamex
(2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 1325
Reversal of denial of class certification, setting new standards for pre-certification discovery.
Employment Rights: Tucker v. GUHSD
(2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 640
Enforcing rehiring rights and preference for laid-off classified employees.
Writs of Attachment: Kemp Bros. Construction v. Titan Electric
(2007) 146 Cal.App.4th 1474
Reversal of $684,000 prejudgment writ of attachment levied against client’s assets.
Whistleblower Protection: Ohton v. Trustees of CSU
(2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 749
Reversal of summary judgment, allowing client’s claim to proceed to mandamus review.
Elder Abuse: Marron v. Superior Court
(2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 1049
Reversal of summary adjudication resulting in significant expansion of scope of Elder Abuse Law in California.
Probate Procedure: Estate of Kaila
(2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 1122
Reversal of probate court’s finding client’s claim constituted a will contest, thereby allowing client’s claim to proceed on its merits.
Civil Procedure: Dodge v. Superior Court
(2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 513
Reversal of new trial order resulting in preservation of underlying verdict and judgment for client.
JAMES S. IAGMIN
CASE RESULTS
Jim has helped hundreds of people through large, complex cases. Here are just a few of his results:
Burn Injury
A person was badly scalded while attempting to take a bath at a resort.
SETTLEMENT – $9,500,000
Slip and Fall
A person slipped on a wet floor and suffered a brain injury. He was unable to return to work.
JURY VERDICT – $7,500,000
Auto v. Pedestrian
A child suffered a serious brain injury when he was hit by a truck as he ran across a busy street.
SETTLEMENT - $4,500,000
Auto v. Pedestrian
A person was tragically killed when hit by a car.
SETTLEMENT – $3,000,000
Auto Collision
A person suffered a serious brain injury when his car was struck from behind by a city truck.
SETTLEMENT – $2,900,000
Trucking Collision
A person suffered a serious brain injury in a collision with a tractor-trailer. He was unable to return to work and needs close supervision. In addition to the settlement, the gentleman kept his rights to lifetime medical care through workers compensation.
SETTLEMENT - $2,750,000
Motorcycle Collision
A person suffered serious orthopedic and internal injuries when a truck turned left in front of him. He made a nice recovery.
SETTLEMENT - $2,250,000
Motorcycle Collision
A person suffered serious orthopedic and internal injuries when a truck turned left in front of him.
POLICY LIMITS SETTLEMENT – $2,025,000
Burn Injury
A person was badly scalded when a hot water pipe burst at an apartment.
POLICY LIMITS SETTLEMENT – $2,000,000
Trip and Fall
A person suffered a serious spinal cord injury when he tripped on a floor mat outside of a business.
SETTLEMENT – $2,000,000
Auto Collision
A person suffered a badly broken ankle when he hit a stalled car on the freeway. The injury impacted his military career.
JURY VERDICT – $1,700,000
Auto Collision
A person suffered multiple broken bones in an auto collision caused by a dangerous condition of the roadway through a construction zone.
SETTLEMENT – $1,190,000
Slip & Fall
A person suffered a cervical disk injury when she slipped and fell on a recently stained and slippery floor at an outdoor shopping mall.
SETTLEMENT – $1,100,000
Financial Elder Abuse / Fraud
A couple was defrauded out of the full value of their property by a real estate agent, who also represented the buyer.
JURY VERDICT – $1,250,000 – CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT WHILE PUNITIVE DAMAGE PHASE PENDING
School Sexual Abuse
A young person was sexually abused by a high school teacher. The teacher’s co-worker’s failed to report their suspicions about the abuse.
JURY VERDICT – $1,250,000
Boating Injury
A person suffered fractured vertebrae when the boat she was riding in hit a rogue wave. The injury required two surgeries.
SETTLEMENT – $1,000,000
Wrongful death
A person was tragically killed when metal at a salvage yard fell on him.
POLICY LIMITS SETTLEMENT – $1,000,000
Sexual Harassment / Voyeurism
Two law enforcement officers suffered serious emotional distress when their supervisor secretly video recorded them in the bathroom.
JUDGMENT – $11,500,000 / PARTIAL SETTLEMENT – $1,000,000
Every case is unique, as are the results. No one can guarantee results. However, Jim has the experience and skill to help you through the most challenging circumstances.