Back to Search Results
Berne Reuben

Berne Reuben

Law Office of Berne Reuben
2222 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Map

Phone: (510) 981-0143  |  Fax: (510) 848-3500

Bookmark and Share

Representing Victims for Over Twenty-Five Years

Legal Topic

Employment Law

Preferred New Clients

My preference is to represent people who have been the victims of unlawful harassment and/or discrimination.

Sub-Topics

Emotional Distress

Employee Rights

Employment Contracts

Employment Discrimination

Racial Harassment

Sexual Harassment

Termination

Wage & Hour Laws

Whistleblower

Wrongful Termination

Bar Admissions

CA, Feb 1978
Bar Number: 79332

Other Court Admissions

All courts in the State of California; United States District Court, Northern District of California; United States District Court, Central District of California.

Association Memberships

Alameda County Bar Association.

Continuing Education

I have over twenty-five years of continuing education in numerous subject areas.

Papers and Publications

Yes, I wrote an article dealing with insurance claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Example Cases

I have worked on numerous cases involving sexual harassment-primarily in the workplace, including a jury verdict/judgment for a woman sexually harassed on the assembly line. I also worked to obtain a jury verdict/judgment for a man who was the victim of "male on male" sex harassment. Additionally, I handled several cases involving unlawful harassment by debt collectors, a case involving a woman who was fired for refusing to work with a supervisor who was using a racial epithet against her and a case of harassment because of my client's sexual orientation. I work on a multitude of cases where my clients were treated unlawfully in the workplace.

Education 

School:

Boalt Hall (University of Berkeley School of Law)

Degree:

J.D.

City:

Berkeley

State:

CA

Year:

1977

Honors:

Order of the Coif

Focus and Accomplishments:

My focus was to learn various areas of the law.

 

School:

Golden Gate University School of Law

Degree:

1st year

City:

San Francisco

State:

CA

Year:

1974

Honors:

1st in class; First Year of Law School.

Focus and Accomplishments:

My focus was to learn various areas of the law.

 

School:

Clark University

Degree:

B.A. in Philosophy

City:

Worcester

State:

MA

Year:

1970

Focus and Accomplishments:

Teaching assistantship in philosophy.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

California

Firm Focus and History

I began my firm in 1983 and worked as a sole practitioner until May 2003 when I joined the law firm of Hersh & Hersh in San Francisco. My focus has always been to try to right wrongs perpetrated by "bad guys" against "good guys."

Previous Employment Summary

I clerked for two years in the United States District Court for the Honorable William J. Nealon, Chief Justice, Middle District of Pennsylvania. I worked for a law firm in San Francisco from 1980 to 1983 and I've have taught first year torts and insurance law and litigation at Golden Gate University Law School. I have also served as a Judge Pro Tem in small claims court.

Activities and Awards

I am starting practice again as a sole practitioner in Berkeley while remaining as "of Counsel" to Hersh & Hersh in San Francisco.

For information on Hersh & Hersh see www.hershlaw.com.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I am in favor of clients learning as much as possible or as much as they want regarding the legal issues in their case.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I review all documents prepared by clients.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I normally represent clients on a case by case basis and clients are not representing themselves. However, I always try to help a client with any other legal problems he or she may have.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I became a lawyer to fight on behalf of regular people and victims against mistreatment by "bad guys" and against big organizations acting wrongfully.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I am aided by my twenty-five years of litigation experience.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I chose my area of practice for the same reason I went to law school: To try to obtain some justice for those in need.

What do you like best about your career?

There can be great satisfaction in prevailing and obtaining compensation and some justice for my client. I enjoy fighting for victims against those who have treated them wrongfully.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am becoming a sole practitioner again and there will be no other lawyers in my firm. However, I often associate with a lawyer in another firm who has over twenty-five years of experience in the harassment/discrimination field. He and I work very well together and have enjoyed much success. Plus, I will be "of counsel" to Hersh & Hersh. Hersh & Hersh is a highly regarded, very experienced law firm in San Francisco with excellent attorneys and staff. For information on Hersh & Hersh see www.hershlaw.com.

What are your strengths and style?

I believe I have the ability to "cut to the chase" and also understand what is reasonable. I have an expertise in cross examination and jury selection. I also always try to keep in mind what is best for my client.

I am reasonable, but tough.

Personal Interests:

I love playing music (mostly rock and roll, generally rhythm instruments). I have always played sports (although I notice this has been decreasing as I have gotten older). I also like games (primarily backgammon and poker).

Office Manager/Assistant

Lisa Rouse

Fax

(510) 848-3500

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

I will give my cell phone number to a client.

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

Spanish available.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I have no fixed price for services or fees. Work is done on a contingency fee basis, either a contingent percentage or contingent hourly rate and the client owes no fees unless there is a recovery. Furthermore, I normally seek to have the defendant pay my client's attorney fees and costs.

Hourly Rates

$500 to $600 per hour.

Free Initial Consultation?

There is no fee owed unless I accept the case and there is a recovery. There is no initial consultation fee.

Typical Retainer

Since the work is done on a contingent basis, there is no retainer.

Understanding Fees

Nolo's Licensing Check

Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.