J. Mira Hashmall

LOS ANGELES - J. Mira Hashmall's practice focuses heavily on labor and employment matters. In addition, she heads the firm's appellate practice and handles business disputes and entertainment matters.

A certified appellate law specialist, Hashmall has significant expertise representing clients in appellate proceedings. Last year, she won a Ninth Circuit ruling vacating a preliminary injunction that would have required Los Angeles to house Skid Row's entire homeless population within six months and deposit $1 billion into an escrow account to ensure the funds were being used appropriately. L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., 21-55395 (9th Cir., op filed Sept. 23, 2021).

She recently wrapped up the Vanessa Bryant trial for the county of Los Angeles. Vanessa Bryant v. County of Los Angeles et al., 2:20-cv- 09582 (C.D. Cal., filed Oct. 19, 2020).

The case revolved around photos taken by L.A. County first responders in the aftermath of the helicopter crash that killed basketball star Kobe Bryant and eight others. Vanessa Bryant and co-plaintiff Christopher Chester argued that the photos taken of their loved ones caused emotional distress and violated their privacy. The jury awarded both Vanessa Bryant and Chester $15 million each.

"Obviously that is a significant verdict, but from the County of Los Angeles' perspective, the plaintiffs had asked the jury for $75 million, cumulatively. So we think the jury settling on a significantly lower amount was a reflection of their assessment of the evidence the county put on in the trial," Hashmall said. "We're very proud of the ability of members of the fire department and sheriff's department to explain what really happened and why the use of photography in connection with the work that first responders do is essential."

Beyond her practice, Hashmall uses her legal expertise to help empower women, people of color and young attorneys. She is a longtime member of the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and sits on the board of the nonprofit Constitutional Rights Foundation. She is also an active member of the California Minority Counsel Program, Black Women Lawyers, California Women Lawyers, the National Association of Women Lawyers and the John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles.

"The legal industry has made a lot of progress in the 20-plus years since I came out of law school, but for sure, there is work still to be done," she said. "In my personal practice, I think that giving young lawyers, women and people of color opportunities and guidance is the best way I can help prepare the next generation of lawyers."