Sima Fard
Professional Accomplishments
Ms. Fard has successfully litigated and tried several cases against large corporations that were represented by large national law firms. In her first year as an attorney, Ms. Fard filed a claim against Circuit City Stores for a variety of employment related claims. While Ms. Fard believed that Circuit City's mandatory employment arbitration agreement was unconscionable, it took a few more years for the California Courts to strike down the same arbitration agreement. Despite the limitations imposed by this agreement, Ms. Fard successfully litigated the case and obtained an award of over $150,000 in arbitration. Majdi v. Circuit City. This was probably the first time an employee had succeeded in the arbitration forum against Circuit City.
Ms. Fard has tried several criminal, civil and business cases also. Most recently Ms. Fard obtained a jury verdict over $400,000 on behalf of an employee for failure to pay overtime and retaliation against The Grand Prix Association of Long Breach. Mr. Stacy was earning a high salary at the time, despite which the jury felt he was entitled to overtime pay, interest and attorneys' fees. Stacy v. Grand Prix Association of Long Breach. The case settled before the punitive damage phase.
Ms. Fard also fully litigated an age discrimination claim against Marsh U.S.A. and obtained sanction of $3,000 against the law firm of Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker for improper removal to federal court. Ms. Fard tried the case in Orange County and obtained a jury verdict of over $450,000. The case settled before motion for attorney's fee. Keayes v. Marsh U.S.A., Inc.
Ms. Fard has also successfully appealed unjust results in lower courts in employment matters. See Lockley v. Law Offices of Cantrell, Green, et al. (published, second district). Recently, in a highly publicized decision by the local Orange County Court of Appeal, the Justices of the Court of Appeal blasted a high profile law firm for their conduct in taking advantage of an employee without counsel as well as misleading the trial judge. Ms. Fard filed the appeal for Mr. Zamani and obtained a reversal of the grant of summary judgment. Mr. Zamani had declined to submit to arbitration. The law firm argued this conduct amounted to conduct that warranted total dismissal of Mr. Zamani's claims. Not so. See articles. Zamani v. St. John Knits, Inc. (unpublished, fourth district, Div. 3).The case is pending.
Ms. Fard is proud to announce that most of her clients are referred to her by other attorneys and sometimes by opposing attorneys who represented employers against whom Ms. Fard had litigated.
Class Action Wage and Hour
Levenson v. Aberdeen (settled)
Wage and hour class action against a large international cosmetics company (confidential settlement)
Wage and hour class action for illegal deduction against car dealership.
Wage and Hour, rest and meal break claims against a large retail company with over 5000 employees.
Ms. Fard has also handled numerous cases on behalf of low income and minority individuals who have been exploited by unlawful business practices. Ms. Fard also has a group of loyal executive clients who consult Ms. Fard regarding their respective job offers, employment agreements, severance package and other employment related matters.
Winning Litigation Tactics
Ms. Fard's experience as a clerk to The Honorable Robert E. Thomas on complex law and motion matters, as well as her grasp of the rules of evidence, has enabled her to write winning briefs in discovery matters, whereby she has an almost 95% success rate in discovery motions and obtaining discovery sanctions.
Education
Sima Fard is a 1996 graduate of Western State University College of Law, where she received The American Jurisprudence awards in Evidence and Estate & Gift Tax. She also served in the student body's ethics committee.
Ms. Fard has been in solo practice focusing on labor and employment law since 1997.
Ms. Fard completed her pre college and undergraduate studies in England at University of London, studying statistical sciences as well as management science.
During law school Ms. Fard worked as a law clerk to the Orange County Public Defenders' office and the District Attorneys' office. She also clerked for the Honorable Ronald Kreber conducting legal research and the Honorable Robert E. Thomas reviewing complex law and motion matters.
Membership of Associations
- California Employment Lawyers
- Orange County Trial Lawyers
- Consumer Attorneys of California
Speaking Engagements:
California State Bar Conference, Sonoma 2002, small firm practice management, CELA 2005, Employment Law 101 Pepperdine University, School of Business, March 2006, Summary of California Employment Law
* The Law Offices of Sima Fard serves client in the greater Los Angeles area, including Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, Tustin and Orange County.
