Hon. William V. Gallo, Ret.

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• Single plaintiff actions arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and related statutes.

Discrimination

• Constructive discharge suit against global company for disability discrimination, retaliation, and related claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• Mediated a case in which the plaintiff was granted medical leave of absence which was extended twice. When the plaintiff's final LOA was coming to an end, the plaintiff spoke with the new district manager about returning to work in the same supervisory position. There was a dispute about that call. The district manager denies terminating plaintiff and that there was no supervisory position available. Several days later, human resources notified the plaintiff that a supervisory position was available and offered it to the plaintiff. Plaintiff declined and alleged district manager's hostililty towards her made returning to work untenable.
• Mediated a case involving an employee who rose through the ranks of a health-related organization over a decade, achieving the title of Director. The employee's relationship with the employer began to sour after the employee made allegations of sexual harassment by a supervisor and vigorously advocated for pay equality for herself and subordinates. The employer presented the employee with option to go on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) but retain title and pay, or resign with severance. The employee refused the PIP but also did not resign. The employer separated the employee.

Employment Wage & Hour Class Action PAGA

• Purported class actions arising under the California Labor Code, California Private Attorneys General Act, and Fair Labor Standards Act against small and large-scale employers with purported class and PAGA groups of up to five figures and across diverse industries including construction, pharmaceutical, sales, and technology.

Hostile Environment

• Suit by a former principal of a school within a unified school district for age and disability discrimination, hostile work environment, tortious interference with business relations, and California Labor Code claims.

Wage and Hour Class Action

• Mediated a case in which the plaintff was the sole representative of a Class Action and PAGA suit alleging a number of wage and hour violations. Many employees excluded from the class because they entered into an arbitration agreement with the employer. Case settled on terms releasing only the certified class members even though the parties had negotiated a global settlement which would have included the employees with arbitration agreements.

Wrongful Termination

• Suit by a former, longtime employee for breach of sales commissions contract, wrongful termination, retaliation, and unfair business practices.
• Mediated a prelitigation wrongful termination case involving a CEO of a company bought out by a Japanese company. Plaintiff rose up through ranks quickly to become Co-CEO and then sole CEO. After a few months in the role as sole CEO, the parent company terminated Plaintiff. Plaintiff alleged discrimination based upon national origin. Defendants alleged termination was justified because of poor performance, toxic leadership style and hostile work environment.
• Mediated a case in which a school teacher with an extensive background in teaching moderate/severe needs children was placed on paid administrative leave for two school years. The school district was intending to terminate the teacher but he also had claims for discrimination, retaliation, failure to engage in the interactive process and failure to accommodate.

ADA Issues

• Mediated a case in which the plaintiff claims wrongful termination after more than a decade of employment with constant promotions. The defendant disputes that termination was motivated by the plaintiff's misconduct and malfeasance.

Civil Rights

• During his 14-year tenure on the bench, Judge Gallo handled 105 Civil Rights cases.

Bad Faith

• Purported class actions and individual suits for breach of insurance contracts and claims of bad faith.

IP Copyright

• Copyright infringement actions, including a copyright infringement suit between a photographer and a corporation that purportedly published the photographer’s works absent a licensing agreement or photographer’s authorization.
• Mediated a copyright infringement case involving a company who is a prolific register of automobile photographs, many of which appeared on a lawyer's website who engages in Lemon Law litigation. The defendant alleged numerous defenses from invalidity due to improper registration of copyrights, to fraud, to denial of infringement, and finally to lack of knowledge of infringement.

IP Patent

• Patent infringement actions involving related claims of breach of contract, accounts stated, and open book accounts, in technology, consumer products, and biomedical industries.

IP Trademark

• Trademark infringement actions arising under the Lanham Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law, and California common law trade dress infringement and unfair competition claims implicating diverse industries, including sports gear and surgical device manufacturers.

Civil Rights

• Wrongful detention and arrest, and excessive force and wrongful death actions arising under Title 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 against government entities.
• Mediated an ADA case with a disabled tenant in an apartment complex who needed assigned parking. The tenant complained that neighboring tenants violated the non-smoking policy, which aggravated the plaintiff's health issues.

Maritime Law

• Wrongful death suits brought by multiple decedents’ estates against a sea vessel for alleged violations of the Jones Act, unseaworthiness, general maritime negligence, and vessel negligence.
• Complaint for exoneration from or limitation of liability arising from a collision between a small vessel and a mega yacht resulting in serious bodily harm, including the death of passengers.

Premises Liability

• Premises liability actions against small and large-scale businesses, including major entertainment theme parks.