Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC

Los Angeles & Newport Beach

Labor & Employment

Clifton W. Albright, the president and founding partner of the labor and employment boutique Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC, got his law degree in 1980 and has been assisting clients ever since.

On his roster are both the city and county of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, Southern California Edison, Commerce Casino and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

"At first, I did business litigation, working for a bank during a time of real estate turmoil. I learned a lot about bankruptcies and securing bank assets," Albright said. "Then there was a period when I did entertainment law, working for Don Cornelius and Soul Train. But I had to choose -- business law got an early start every morning, but show business took place at night. I segued into business."

He opened the doors at Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC in 1994. Both his original partners, Lucien A. Schmit III and Derek S. Yee, have retired or moved on, and today, three family members have joined Albright at the seven-attorney defense-side firm. They include wife Stella M. Albright, the vice president, who has an MBA in finance along with her JD; son and associate Clifton W. Albright Jr., who practices general business litigation plus labor and employment law; and son and office manager Alexander Albright, who has law school in his sights.

Said Clifton Jr.: "Navigating the dynamics of a family-run business is its own unique challenge, but we've found our rhythm. When I collaborate with my dad on cases, it isn't just about the legalities -- it's about trust, respect and deep admiration. He's always taught us to lead with integrity." Lolita Brown Fletcher and Latosha J. Hall are of counsel and Diane M. Jurdi and Bryan E. Luther Jr. are associates.

Employee harassment cases, especially those involving sexual harassment, were rare when Albright opened the doors in the early 1990s, he said. Then came the high-visibility Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings and claims by a subordinate that Thomas had made multiple sexual advances to her while they were working at the Department of Education.

"Sexual harassment was not an issue until Anita Hill came along, and suddenly it became a big deal," Albright said. "Today, we do a good deal of educating our corporate clients on how to avoid problems in that area."

A recently filed case over wrongful termination claims illustrates another area in which Albright, Yee & Schmit specializes. "The plaintiff worked for my client for 25 to 30 years and then took medical leave during COVID and claims they dumped him when he tried to come back to work," Alexander said. "It's an extraordinary claim, but a problem is that my client is old-school and didn't document everything properly." Silva v. Whittier Fertilizer Co. et al., 23STCV03137 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Feb. 14, 2023).

A different case shows the volatility that can mar employment law proceedings. Albright was forced to obtain a restraining order against a card room patron who made death threats and otherwise harassed not only Albright's client and other guests but Albright himself as litigation progressed. California Commerce Club Inc. v. Ochs, 21STRO04310 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Aug. 8, 2021).

"He included us in his hostility," Albright said. "He even went after the judge. There was hate mail, threats and racist emails. He's in jail now."

--John Roemer