Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Names Six New Non-Equity Partners and One New Equity Partner

02.10.2014

CERRITOS, Calif.—Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) is pleased to announce that Scott K. Dauscher has been named an equity partner, and  that Cathie L. Fields, Scott K. Holbrook, Sharon J. Ormond, Michael J. Rubino, Marleen L. Sacks, and Jay G. Trinnaman have become partners with the firm.

“The caliber and commitment of these partners are exceptional,” says Managing Partner James C. Romo. “We warmly welcome them to their well-deserved new roles.”

Scott K. Dauscher is the Chair of the firm’s Class Action Defense Group, and has extensive experience with class action lawsuits, particularly class actions involving claims for unpaid overtime and off-the-clock work and meal & rest periods. Mr. Dauscher is one of just a handful of lawyers in California who has litigated a wage and hour class action through trial.

In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, Mr. Dauscher was named a "Southern California Rising Star" by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine, based on a poll of selected Southern California lawyers. This recognition honors exceptional Southern California attorneys who are under the age of 40. Scott also serves on the Greater Long Beach/Rio Hondo Chapter Board of Directors for the American Red Cross.

Cathie L. Fields represents school districts, community college districts, and other educational agencies in labor and employment matters, general education issues, and governance matters. She advises clients on employment issues ranging from hiring practices, preemployment inquiries and testing, and disability/accommodation concerns to disciplinary actions, certificated and classified layoffs, leaves of absence, contract drafting and interpretation, and wage and hour law. Additionally, she frequently advises administrators and governing boards regarding public records obligations, board meeting agendas and Brown Act compliance, and conflict-of-interest issues.

Scott K. Holbrook provides representation and legal counsel to school district, county office of education, and community college district clients in labor and personnel matters, including certificated/classified employee discipline, dismissal, responding to EEOC and DFEH complaints, responding to unfair practice charges before PERB, and collective bargaining.  Mr. Holbrook advises public school districts in all aspects of charter school law including petitions and appeals, forming “dependent” charter schools, operating agreements, and Prop 39 facility requirements.  In addition, Mr. Holbrook handles matters involving student discipline and expulsion, ADA, FERPA, Brown Act, interscholastic athletics and collegiate sports law, special education and general school law issues.

Sharon J. Ormond represents California public sector employers in all aspects of labor relations and personnel matters, including certificated and classified discipline, reductions in force, unfair practice charges, contract grievances, and the investigation and defense of discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and retaliation claims.  Her practice also includes advice and counsel on the First Amendment, wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, disability accommodations, technology use issues, and Brown Act compliance. Sharon regularly represents employers before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Public Employment Relations Board, the office of the California Labor Commissioner, and in federal and state courts.

Michael J. Rubino has over twenty years of experience in business and real estate litigation. Mr. Rubino has handled numerous commercial and real estate cases in the areas of leases, landlord/tenant, easements, unfair business practices, breach of contract, business torts, and a variety of other business disputes.

Marleen L. Sacks represents school districts in education and labor law, specializing in the area of employee discipline, student rights and litigation related to employment and education matters. She regularly represents clients in labor arbitrations and in proceedings before the Public Employment Relations Board, and is extensively involved in defending employers against allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination and other civil rights issues, at both the trial court and appellate levels. Ms. Sacks also has expertise in the area of special taxes, having litigated multiple claims involving the collection and appropriate expenditures of special assessments, parcel taxes and bonds, at both the trial and appellate levels. 

Jay G. Trinnaman represents employers in both the public and private sector. His practice emphasizes all aspects of labor relations and employment law matters, including representation of employers in disciplinary and grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges before PERB, EEOC/DFEH charges, collective bargaining, writ of mandate matters, and advice and counsel.