Employment & Labor Relations

I subspecialize in academic discrimination. Most of my cases involve race and/or gender discrimination and retaliation. A growing area of my practice is disability discrimination against the deaf and hard of hearing.

• Age Discrimination
• Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Disability Discrimination
• Discipline/Suspension
• Emotional Distress
• Employee Rights
• Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
• Race Discrimination
• Racial Harassment
• Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866
• Severance Packages
• Sex Discrimination
• Sexual Harassment
• Termination
• Whistleblower
• Wrongful Termination

CA, Aug 1979
Bar Number: 87268

California

California State Bar

I complete or exceed my continuing education hours.

Selected Publications
2005: Book In Progress, African Indigenous Justice, Living Justice Press, St. Paul, Minnesota
2005: Book In Progress, Ghandi's Justice, Restorative Justice www.restorativejustice.org/resources/docs/faniadavis
2003: Dissertation on the Indigenous Paradigm, University of Michigan.
1994: Report on Status of Affirmative Action. International Labor Organization, United Nations.
1986: "The Black Family", The Black Scholar 17 (1986), co-authored with Angela Y. Davis

Selected Recent Presentations
2006: Presentation on Restorative Justice, Dr. King's Birthday Commemoration, Oakland, California
2005: Presentation on African Indigenous Justice, International Conference on African Traditional Medicine, Washington, D.C.
2005: Conference Presentation on Restorative Justice, International
Symposium on Restorative Justice and Peace in Colombia
2005: Presentation on Restorative Justice, 10th Annual Howard Thurman Convocation, San Francisco, California
2005: Lecture on Restorative Justice, Boalt Hall Law School, University of California, Berkeley
2005: Conference Presentation on Restorative and Indigenous Justice, Beyond the Global Divide, Atlanta, Georgia

Since receiving my law degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1979, I have been practicing as a civil rights trial lawyer in Oakland, California specializing in employment discrimination litigation. With a subspecialty in academic discrimination litigation, I have successfully litigated cases against state and private universities in California.

Race, Religion, and National Origin Discrimination - Jury Verdict $637,000
A male African professor at a state university in California had tribal markings on his face and focused his research on the depiction of the Islamic religion in the mass media. He was denied tenure in part due to his race, religion and national origin. After a nine day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the professor and awarded him $637,000.

Race and Gender Discrimination - Jury Verdict $300,000
An African-American female professor of English at a state community college in California was denied tenure without ever being informed that there were any deficiencies in her teaching. A lawsuit was filed against the college on the grounds that she was denied tenure in part due to her race and sex. After a four day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the professor in the amount of $300,000.

Race Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment - Jury Verdict $1.6 million
An African American deputy probation officer in Marin County sued the County for hostile work environment discrimination and for discriminatory failure to promote. After a federal jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the probation officer, awarding him $1.6 million in damages (In this case, the Law Offices of Charles Bonner associated me into the case for trial.).

Race and Gender Discrimination - Confidential Settlement
An African American female professor of Ethnic Studies in a private college in California was denied tenure. After intense litigation for approximately two years, the case was settled.

Race and Gender Discrimination and Retaliation - Confidential Settlement
A Mexican-American Associate Dean at a private college in California was constructively discharged. Less than one year after the lawsuit was filed, the case was settled.

Race and Gender Discrimination and Retaliation - Confidential Settlement
An African American female Engineer with the City and County of San Francisco sued for race and gender-based discrimination, wrongful demotion, and retaliation. The parties reached a settlement after a lawsuit was filed.

3

California

Background
Over the years our firm has provided its clients with the steadfast support which those engaged in civil and criminal litigation need and expect. Service to the client has always been, and will continue to be, the hallmark of our firm. With your interests in mind, we will seek to rapidly and efficiently resolve the anxiety and uncertainty of litigation. We also provide expert assistance in attempting to resolve a case without trial.

Our Mission
Our mission is to provide each client dedicated professional services, with a focus on employment discrimination litigation and criminal defense.

1979 to present: Private Practice, Oakland, California, General Practice, Civil Rights Litigation, Academic Discrimination Subspecialty.
2005: Adjunct Professor, Eastern Mennonite University, Justice and Peacebuilding Center, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Course, Indigenous Peacemaking Processes (Focus on Africa)
1980 to present: Adjunct Professor, New College Law School. Courses, Indigenous Justice, Restorative Justice, Racism and Law, Women and Law (early 1980's)
1992 - 1994: Adjunct Professor, San Francisco State University, Women's Studies. Courses, Women and Violence, Incarcerated Women
1985 - 1989: Clinical Instructor and Supervising Attorney in Domestic Violence and Poverty Law, Stanford Law School Clinic (East Palo Alto Community Law Project).
1989 - 1992: Administrative Judge, Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. Mediated and Heard Landlord-Tenant Disputes
1992: Consultant, UN's International Labor Organization. Conducted Study On Affirmative Action in U.S. 1993 Consultant, San Francisco Sheriff's Department, Taught Cultural Studies to Inmates
1983 - 1984: Coordinator, Coalition Against Racial Violence, Richmond, California.

Selected International Activities
2005: Member of Synergos Foundation's Global Philanthropy Circle Delegation to South Africa
2004: Member of Sumboh Delegation to Liberia To Support Indigenous-Based Peacemaking Strategies
2003: Member of Delegation to Earth Summit, Johannesburg, South Africa
1999: Delegate to PROMETRA Conference on AIDS and African Traditional Medicine. (PROMETRA, Promotion des Medicines Traditionelles, is an international organization of traditional healers based in Senegal, West Africa, with approximately 21 chapters in Africa and the Caribbean.)

Selected Activities
2004 to present: Counsel, International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
2005 to present: Founding Member, Restorative Justice for Oakland's Youth
2003 to present: Board Member, World Indigenous Science Network, Maui, Hawaii.
1980 to 1994: Member, Executive Committee, Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, Ninth Congressional District of California
1982-1985: President, National Conference of Black Lawyers, Bay Area

Selected Honors
1999: Clinton W. White Legal Advocacy Award, Charles Houston Bar Association
1988: Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Award for Anti-Apartheid Advocacy
1990: Honored As Co-Founder Of Vukani Mawethu, A California-Based Multiracial Choir Which Sings The Freedom Songs Of Southern Africa In Indigenous Languages

None

(510) 451-5056

Monday through Friday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
After hours by appointment.

No

French

None. I usually do contingency fees with a negotiable retainer fee.

Please call for details.

Yes, for one hour.

Negotiable.