Michael L. Laurenson 

Michael L. “Mike” Laurenson leads the Northern California trial practice group at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, a defense-side full-service shop. During his 25-year career at the firm, he has represented public and private entities in employment matters in federal and state court, focusing on the defense of wrongful termination, retaliation and discrimination claims.

Before attending the University of San Francisco School of Law, he served five years as a weapons officer in the U.S. Navy during two deployments in support of the Persian Gulf War.

“When I joined Gordon & Rees, we were 80 people in San Francisco and a handful in San Diego,” Laurenson said. The firm now has 1,100 attorneys and offices in every state. “I was lucky to hitch my wagon to Mike Lucey,” who soon became managing partner and who recently retired. “He modernized by going to a practice group structure where partners had deep experience in their fields, and his was employment law. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. By my fourth year, he was letting me try cases by myself.”

Laurenson successfully defended fintech company Carta Inc. against claims by Frank Han, a former senior vice president of operations, over alleged wrongful termination and retaliation, including the reduction of his stock equity grant. Han v. Carta Inc., 19CV360737 (S. Clara Co. Super. Ct., filed Dec. 24, 2019).

Han alleged the CEO had lied to him and acted in bad faith in firing him. “Every Silicon Valley company uses Carta,” Laurenson said. “It was fun to get to know them. The allegation was that the client owed Mr. Han $4.5 million, an exorbitant demand.” The jury returned a verdict for Han of nearly the same amount that Laurenson had offered in settlement before the trial. “We offered [$200,000] and the jury gave [$220,000,]” Laurenson said.

In the summer of 2022, Laurenson obtained a complete defense verdict following a monthlong trial in Shasta County. The client was a home for disabled adults; the plaintiff was a former direct care staff member who alleged he was terminated for whistleblowing about the abuse and neglect of residents. Nason v. CFB Inc., 197246 (Shasta Co. Super. Ct., filed June 12, 2019).

“They had an HR manager admit that the plaintiff’s complaining contributed to his termination, but we argued that even so, the company would have made the decision to fire him anyway,” Laurenson said. “He couldn’t get along with anybody. The jury agreed, 12-0.”

Laurenson added that the plaintiff had an attorney from Los Angeles who made unrealistic demands. “He had an attitude that they’d get millions. The judge told him that Shasta County juries don’t give that kind of money. The case taught me the importance of a strong affirmative defense.”

—John Roemer