Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Sanford Heisler Sharp’s San Diego Partner and Financial Services Litigation Practice Group Co-Chair Charles Field has been named a 2021 Employment Trailblazer by the National Law Journal (NLJ). Congratulations, Charles!

Ed Chapin, Managing Partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp’s San Diego office and the plaintiffs’ lead trial counsel in the GirlsDoPorn civil lawsuit, on the recent sentencing of the individual who recruited young women under false pretenses to appear in videos for GirlsDoPorn: "It was a very emotional day. Twenty-four women gave impact statements. They were powerful, heart-wrenching, and clearly gave the judge something to think about. I think the victims' statements resonated with the court as the Judge imposed a 20-year sentence and gave a very strong statement with her reasoning. This sentence was 5 years in excess of what was recommended by the sentencing guidelines and should send a message to sexual predators and purveyors of pornography --- Don’t defraud women into doing sex videos!"

Sanford Heisler Sharp would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

TESTIMONIAL: Nicole Wiitala did a terrific job on my case that involved employment discrimination and retaliation within the finance industry. From the start of our work together, Nicole synthesized the information I gave her into well-reasoned legal arguments on my behalf. She also quickly learned the nuances of my industry’s compensation structures and leveraged that information to further strengthen my case. Finally, Nicole consistently delivered high-quality work in a timely fashion which shortened the duration of time before I could formally separate from my former firm. I highly recommend both Nicole and Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP to anyone in a similar situation that requires an attorney. -Former Client

Sanford Heisler Sharp’s 100 strong team of lawyers and support staff are committed to enforcing both the ideals and the reality of the Civil Rights Act in the work they do every day.

Washington, DC Partner and Discrimination and Harassment Practice Group Co-Chair Kate Mueting appeared in Avid Core’s Around the Table series talking about the incredible work she has done working within the gender equality and equity space: I am passionate about social justice and equality. I don’t like being told I can’t do something, and when someone tries to limit or stereotype me or other women I get really fired up. I feel very fortunate I get to ‘fight the good fight’ on behalf of my clients every day in my work.

Associate Rob Van Someren Greve discusses how whistleblowers who expose money laundering schemes are set to become eligible for sizable rewards in Sanford Heisler Sharp’s blog, Working for Justice. If you have knowledge of money laundering schemes or other types of fraud, please contact Sanford Heisler Sharp today. We would like to have the opportunity to help you.

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP announced a $5.4 million settlement in an ERISA class action against the Transamerica Corporation for violating basic fiduciary duties under ERISA and abusing current and former employees’ trust by mismanaging their retirement funds. Chairman David Sanford said he is pleased that the firm and Transamerica could come to an agreement following extensive and productive negotiations. The resolution of the matter presents substantial benefits to the Class and promotes judicial economy.

San Francisco Partner and Asian American Litigation and Finance Practice Group Chair Qiaojing Ella Zheng in Law.com's "How I Made Partner" series: One initiative I found to be particularly helpful in building my practice and brand is that I always put myself into the clients’ shoes to understand how my legal skills could be most helpful.

DC Partner and Discrimination and Harassment Practice Group Co-Chair Saba Bireda on being reappointed to a second 2-year term on the D.C. Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee: I am honored at the opportunity to continue serving the D.C. Bar as a member of this important committee. There is heightened interest in the conduct and behavior of professionals in many positions of trust and responsibility today, including attorneys. The work of this committee makes a significant contribution to public confidence in our ethics and actions.

TESTIMONIAL: Based upon Sanford Heisler’s reputation, I expected outstanding legal service. However, I cannot express how much I respect and appreciate the skill and compassion David [Sanford], Russell [Kornblith], and Nicole [Wiitala] demonstrated every single day. With their expert guidance and attention, they made an otherwise very difficult process tolerable. The Sanford Heisler team always made me believe the fight was worthwhile! Thank you all so much! -General Counsel

#ExpertCommentary from Washington, DC and Baltimore Partner Christine Dunn: The Biden administration has made it clear that it takes sexual assault in the military very seriously. In his first week in office, Lloyd Austin, the newly appointed Secretary of Defense, has asked senior military leaders to send him reports on sexual assault prevention programs in the military and an assessment of how to improve those efforts. Sexual assault in the military is a widespread problem and reported cases have increased steadily over the past decade. Because many cases go unreported, these numbers are likely significantly higher. We hope this is just the first of many new initiatives by this administration to curtail sexual assault.

HAPPENING TODAY: Baltimore Managing Partner Deborah Marcuse will be moderating the Advanced Topics In Title IX Litigation session at the 2021 National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) Convention. The session’s panel will shed light on the benefits and drawbacks of bringing litigation under Title IX as opposed to, or in addition to, Title VII to address employment discrimination, including addressing issues related to exhaustion of administrative remedies, the statute of limitations, discovery, and the standards of proof under both statutes. http://ow.ly/lwoH50FiCHx

Kim Kardashian West on the commutation of Chris Young's sentence: "Judge Sharp and I went to the White House a few years ago asking for clemency. . . . [Chris Young is] so deserving and so smart and I can’t wait to see all he accomplishes in this life!" Nashville Managing Partner Kevin Sharp, who was Chris Young’s sentencing judge and has been an advocate for him since leaving the bench in 2017, said he thought Mr. Young’s punishment was cruel and unjust. http://ow.ly/jER250DxRck

Inayat Ali Hemani, a Partner at Sanford Heisler Sharp and a Co-Chair of the firm’s Whistleblower & Qui Tam Practice Group, on the firm’s settled False Claims Act lawsuit against Humana, Inc., Humana Pharmacy, Inc., Humana Pharmacy Solutions, Inc., Roche Diagnostics Corp., and Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.: This case demonstrates that Medicare Advantage Organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmaceutical companies can be held responsible for giving or accepting payments in exchange for access to Medicare Advantage funds. Our client has helped the Government recover millions of dollars and shed light on secretive transactions between pharmaceutical companies and Medicare Advantage Organizations.

Happy Birthday to Sanford Heisler Sharp’s Chairman, David Sanford!

Senior Litigation Counsel Leigh Anne St. Charles and Associate Kaitlin Leary discuss the District of Columbia’s recent ban on non-compete agreements in Sanford Heisler Sharp’s blog, Working for Justice: No employee should be compelled to remain in a job simply because a non-compete agreement would force the employee to choose between relocation, giving up their chosen profession, or prolonged unemploymentperiod.