11.3.22
We have been named a top-tier law firm in the 2023 U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers and “Best Law Firms” rankings, the leading survey of lawyers worldwide! Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Evans LLP was selected as an “exceptional firm” in San Diego for two practice areas - tort as well as labor and employment litigation. We are so proud of our whole team for this honor bestowed by our peers!
11.1.22
SSCE associate Daniela Lagunas has been appointed Director-at-Large for the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) for the 2022-2023 term. SDLRLA is a non-profit established in 1977 to support Chicano and Latino lawyers in California with a mission to advance the cause of equality, empowerment, and justice for Latino attorneys and the Latino community in San Diego County through service and advocacy. Congrats, Daniela!
10.27.22
We are proud to announce that Sarah Evans has been selected among the Top 100 Leaders in Law by the San Diego Business Journal! Sarah has been practicing law since 2000, primarily focusing on employment law. She is also a litigation attorney, defending lawsuits and claims filed by individual employees. She is also very active in the community, handling leadership and operational roles during the recent merger of two Balboa Park organizations creating Forever Balboa Park and serving as the organization's first co-chair. Congrats on a well deserved honor!
10.4.22
Congratulations to firm partner John Schena for prevailing after a five-week jury trial in Orange County Superior Court - Complex Division. The jury awarded John’s client $700,000 for breach of fiduciary duty related to usurpation of corporate opportunities. In doing so, the jury rejected the former director’s defenses including good faith, ratification, consent and his request for indemnification. This jury trial was the first in the department since COVID-19, and the firm client is extremely happy to have this victory in its column.
If you have questions regarding fiduciary matters, please contact firm partners John Schena or Dick Semerdjian.
9.22.22
John Schena recently achieved an extremely favorable confidential settlement in favor of a plaintiff alleging pregnancy discrimination and wrongful termination by her former employer. The SSCE client settled for a confidential sum in the high six figures (representing nearly nine years of salary) on the eve of trial after not being offered anything during the prior two years of litigation.
John’s work over the past two years has resulted in over $6 million in awards and settlements to former employees who have been discriminated against as a result of a legally protected characteristic, blown the whistle on their employer’s illegal activity, or had their equity interest improperly revoked. If you would like to discuss employment litigation, please contact firm partners Sarah Evans or John Schena.
8.24.22
Congratulations to Dick Semerdjian on being recognized as a "Lawyer of theYear" award recipient in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. The recognition highlights the top 6% of private practicing attorneys in the US, and this is the 14th year Dick has been selected for this honor. Congratulations, Dick!
8.8.22
After four years of hard-fought litigation, a Schwartz Semerdjian client recently prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in the Complex Division of Orange County Superior Court. Firm partner John Schena represented a tech company CEO accused of breaching his fiduciary duties by the company's founder. Along the way, SSCE prevailed on an anti-SLAPP motion and numerous discovery motions resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of interim awards of attorneys’ fees and rarely awarded issue sanctions. John’s work ultimately led the Court to issue a ruling that there were no material factual disputes that could permit a jury to hear the allegations and dismissed our client from the case. If you would like to discuss breach of fiduciary duty matters, anti-SLAPP motions, or discovery sanctions please contact firm partners Dick Semerdjian or John Schena.
7.29.22
We are extremely proud of firm partner Kevin Cauley for being honored with the Associated Subcontractors Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award! The recognition was bestowed for Kevin’s many years of dedicated work in construction law at the ASA annual Installation & Awards Banquet, “A Night Under the Stars." Congratulations on a well deserved honor, Kevin!
6.20.22
Congratulations to partner Sarah Evans on being selected a Woman of Influence in Law Top 50 by the San Diego Business Journal! Sarah’s practices primarily employment law, defending lawsuits and claims filed by individual employees. She is also very active in the community, handling leadership and operational roles during the recent merger of two Balboa Park organizations creating Forever Balboa Park and serving as the organization's first co-chair. Kudos, Sarah, on this well-deserved honor!
4.4.22
During the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Business Litigation Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Dick Semerdjian moderated the CLE program: Getting Down to Business! Examining Emerging Trends in Business Litigation. What is the Damage? The Evolution of Business Litigation Damages in a Post-Pandemic World. The panel discussed the evlolution of business litigation damages in a post-pandemic world.
3.31.22
We are proud to announce three of our attorneys have been selected as top outstanding lawyers in San Diego County by Super Lawyers!
- Partner Dick Semerdjian has been named a 2022 “Top 50” San Diego Attorney in Business Litigation for the third straight year and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2007.
- Partner John Schena is named a 2022 San Diego Super Lawyer in Business Litigation for the fourth straight year.
- Partner Kristen Bush is named a Super Lawyer 2022 San Diego Rising Star in Business Litigation for the second straight year.
The San Diego Super Lawyers selection process involves a multi-phase selection process which includes nominations, independent third-party research, peer evaluations and final selection.
Congratulations, Dick, John and Kristen!
3.25.22
Kristen Bush recently prevailed following a week-long bench trial involving competing breach of contract claims. Kristen successfully defended her general contractor client against claims of nonpayment by one of its subcontractors on multiple public works projects. In addition, the client was awarded damages on its breach of contract claim for having to repair faulty work.