Oct. 15, 2015
Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP
See more on Hirschfeld Kraemer LLPSanta Monica, San Francisco, Reno
years ago distinguishing itself from what they describe as large "Mclabor" law firms
by offering boutique labor and employment law services that include traditional labor
law, immigration services, workplace violence litigation and regulation.
Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP was recently hired by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to investigate
a high profile case involving attorney Ellen Pao's allegations of harassment and gender
discrimination. The firm filed its report concluding there was no harassment or discrimination,
which combined with extensive trial testimony, helped clear Kleiner Perkins of wrongdoing.
The other half of Hirschfeld Kraemer is represented co-founder Glen Kraemer and the
tremendous amount of work that he has accomplished in the field of workplace violence
litigation and regulation. For nearly 20 years, Kraemer has aided fortune 500 companies
and universities in developing multi-disciplinary approach programs to prevent workplace
violence. These clients include Los Angeles World Airports and Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide Inc.
Beyond training and counsel, Hirschfeld Kraemer assists higher education institutions
with regulations and requirements including anti-bullying training and adjunct faculty
unionizing.
Kraemer attributes his firm's success to its ability to step inside a company's culture,
understands its lingo and craft programs to fit the needs of the client.
"Our firm, pound for pound, we do the same work that large firms don't have the ability
to do," he said. "We become part of the fabric of the institution and can assist them
thoughtfully."
With 11 partners and 12 associates, it's hard to believe Hirschfeld Kraemer has an
employment law network spanning 135 countries and all 50 states, but with the help
of Stephen Hirschfeld, the firm has developed a unique way to punch above its weight
class.
"When we started the firm about 17 years ago what I realized was that if we were going
to be able to attract and retain platinum clients, we needed to service their work
wherever issues might arise," Hirschfeld said.
With that in mind, Hirschfeld founded the Employment Law Alliance - the world's largest
network of labor and employment attorneys. Through the ELA, Hirschfeld Kraemer has
access to 3,000 plus high-quality attorneys around the globe. The alliance enables
the firm to better assist multinational clients on complex compliance issues that
might arise in overseas operations.
"A lot of the largest law firms in the world go under a trade name, but really they
are a network of independent firms. Our network, we have closer relationships then
those so-called law firms. We spend a lot of time together," Hirschfeld said.
In May, Santa Monica partner Greg Glazer and attorney Derek Ishikawa obtained a unanimous
defense verdict in only 15 minutes of jury deliberation. The one-week trial in the
case Luz Valencia v. Hair Club for Men and Women was based on claims of age and disability harassment and discrimination, and wrongful
termination. The jury's unanimous verdict was described by the court as the fastest
it had ever seen.
Hirschfeld said Glazer and Ishikawa's 15-minute verdict is an example of the quality
and talent the firm looks for in hiring.
"We rarely hire lawyers with little experience. We like lawyers that have worked in
large firms. We like older, more mature, experienced lawyers. We find that gives us
a real advantage with the work we do," Hirschfeld said.
- RYAN VAN VELZER
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