J. Mira Hashmall

Certified specialist in appellate law, Hashmall represents mostly employers in all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation to appellate proceedings.

Before being made a partner at Miller Barondess, Hashmall gained trial experience at Jones Day representing both public and private employers in employment matters and labor issues. In addition to representing health care companies, government agencies, entertainment companies and other business, Hashmall has also represented individuals in suits against employers.

“I think taking plaintiffs’ cases all the way through trial has made me a better defense lawyer,” Hashmall said. “I understand what presenting a plaintiff case looks like and can anticipate it better having done it myself.”

Hashmall won a $2.5 million jury award for her client, former chief campus counsel at UC Riverside, in a 2017 discrimination dispute. Michele Coyle, who had worked at UC Riverside from 2006 to 2012, claimed she and other women were being discriminated against by the university’s former executive chancellor and provost, Dallas M. Rabenstein. Coyle v. Regents of the University of California, RIC1503362 (Riverside Super. Ct., filed March 19, 2015).

The jury found Coyle was retaliated against in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act for reporting gender discrimination. Hashmall and her team at Miller Barondess were awarded an additional $1.5 million in attorney fees.

“It was a case that UC said I’d never win,” Hashmall said. “I won’t talk about confidential settlement negotiations but let’s just say the number turned out a lot better than anyone thought.”

Hashmall, who said she had always wanted to be a lawyer, said she was drawn to employment law because of its significant social impact on the country.

“Whether or not I was on the employee or employer side,” Hashmall said, “I liked being able to help the working environment be healthy for as many people as possible while still being efficient and effective.”

— Blaise Scemama