Stuart H. Garrison
Law Offices of Stuart H Garrison
7601 Goddard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Map
Phone: (310) 641-8259 | Fax: (310) 641-8315
30 Years of Dedicated Trial Work On Behalf of Clients
Legal Topic
Employment Law
Preferred New Clients
My preferred new clients are willing to engage in the litigation process, clients who pay, and clients who listen.
Sub-Topics
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Discipline/Suspension
Emotional Distress
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
Employee Rights
Employment Contracts
Employment Discrimination
Equal Pay Act (EPA)
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
Racial Harassment
Severance Packages
Sexual Harassment
Termination
Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act
Wage & Hour Laws
Whistleblower
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Termination
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1976
Bar Number: 70925
Other Court Admissions
All California State Courts; United States District Court, Central District of California
Association Memberships
California State Bar, American Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I have spent most of this latest compliance period studying worker's compensation issues as well as employment law issues.
Example Cases
As lead counsel, I have litigated through trial a case involving a wrongfully terminated tradesman with a major aerospace corporation.
I was the lead plaintiff's counsel on a case involving a private pension malpractice case against the pension administrators. This case was very labor and document intensive and I successfully managed both.
Education
Mid-Valley College of Law
J.D.
Los Angeles
CA
1976
Bancroft-Whitney Honors Award for Top Grade in Civil Procedure
Northrop University School of Law
M.S.
Inglewood
CA
1981
Focus: Taxation
State University of New York
B.A.
Buffalo
NY
1968
Major: Southeast Asian History
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I spent a good portion of my legal career almost exclusively in the tort and personal injury litigation field. I still do that but I am changing focus. My focus now is changing from personal injury litigation to employment law and worker's compensation, both on behalf of employers and employees. I offer dispute resolution anywhere from a well placed letter, through and including full litigation services. I am one of the few attorneys who handle both worker's compensation as well as employment law because of the fertile crossover issues involved. I therefore offer full litigation services as well as work before the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board. I also handle dispute resolution with regard to employment contracts to include litigation. I established my own firm in 1992.
Previous Employment Summary
I was House Counsel to the Continental Insurance Group in Los Angeles for 11 years and I spent an additional five years working for insurance defense firms of various sizes before I opened my own office in 1992.
Activities and Awards
I sit as a judge pro tem within the Los Angeles Superior Court. I am also a Los Angeles Superior Court Arbitrator. I have done both for over 25 years.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage clients to educate themselves on legal issues. In addition to being a litigator, I act as a coach because I enter any client relationship as a team effort. I rely on clients to understand the issues in their cases.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes. However, clients must prepay for those services.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Yes. However, clients must prepay for those services.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to be a lawyer because I enjoy empowering others in appropriate circumstances.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was a Combat Service Support Officer and a Field Artillery Officer in Vietnam where I learned to manage crisis under extremely stressful circumstances with limited assets. Litigation is warfare without the guns. The planning processes are similar to both: the asset allocation to include time, personnel, and material resources are the same.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I decided on my primary specialty because it was a new area of law for me. I like trial work; I am a trial attorney. The personal injury field became very constrained and I wanted a burgeoning field to concentrate my litigation efforts.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about my career is the ability to think clearly and fashion remedies for my clients. After consulting with clients, I try to do what's best for the client and to help them get on with the rest of their lives.
Tell us about your law firm:
Even though I am a solo practitioner, I am not isolated.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strength and expertise is listening, coaching, and creative thinking.
I involve my clients in their legal challenges as a coach and as a team member.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests include photography, reading, snow skiing, hiking, and humor.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(310) 641-8315
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Depending on the strength of the matter, I may work on a partial hourly plus a partial contingency fee. In appropriate cases with strong evidentiary admissibility, I charge on a contingent fee basis which is 33 1/3% if resolved before a law suit is filed and then 40% thereafter.
Hourly Rates
$230
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, up to 30 minutes.
Typical Retainer
The retainer depends on the strength of the case. It is generally, approximately $1,500-$2,000 depending on the case. This is a deposit towards 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.



