Conflicts of Interest and Your Confidentiality

When you contact me about hiring a lawyer, the law protects what you tell me. Under rule 1.18 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, a person who consults with a lawyer to retain the lawyer or to get legal advice is a prospective client. Even if I do not take your case, I may not use or reveal what I learn from you in that consultation, except as the rules permit for information of a former client.

Who I represent

I represent both employees and employers in California employment matters. As a matter of firm practice, I do not represent both sides of the same dispute.

How I check for conflicts

Before I take a matter, I run a conflict check. I limit the first conversation to what I need to run that check, so I may ask you to hold back the details of your matter until I confirm that I can take it.

If I cannot represent you

If a conflict prevents me from representing you, I tell you as soon as I know, so that you can look for another lawyer without losing time on a deadline. A conflict can also arise after I take a matter or a mediator appointment, and if one does, I tell you as soon as I know. Deadlines can be short, and until a fee agreement is fully executed by all parties, I am not watching a deadline for you.

If I am asked to serve as a mediator

I am a Certified Mediator, and I take mediator appointments in employment-related disputes. As a matter of firm practice, I do not take a mediator appointment in a dispute in which I represent a party, I do not represent a party in a dispute I am mediating, and I do not later represent a party in a dispute I have mediated. I run a conflict check on every mediator inquiry before I receive any details.

When I become your lawyer

Visiting this website, contacting me, and having a consultation do not by themselves make me your lawyer. I represent you only when a fee agreement is fully executed by all parties.

What to send before we talk

Please do not send confidential information or documents through this website. Share the details of your matter with me in a consultation, after I have confirmed that I have no conflict. To start, use the Contact page. For the full terms, see the Disclaimers page.