“Headline Civil Rights News” Series
Daniel Cargnelutti, Valerie Brennan
Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination. They discuss the client cases of Rodney Hall, Noel David and Lance Vivar. Mr. Hall was a longstanding employee, for 18 years, with Costco Wholesale Corporation, until he was the alleged victim of a harassing, in-store videotaped incident. Previously, Mr. Hall held leadership positions at Costco as a marketing representative, front-end supervisor and membership manager. Mr. David was a diagnostic service technician with Keyes European in Van Nuys, California, where he was allegedly victimized by sexually discriminatory actions and a series of anti-gay comments. Mr. Vivar was the victim of an alleged hate crime at Tequila Hoppers in Upland, California, where he was subjected to the anti-gay actions and comments.
Valerie Brennan is an associate in The Cochran Firm’s Employment Litigation Practice Group, representing employees in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases. Prior to joining The Cochran Firm, Valerie worked in the area of business law and also gained experience in public advocacy while working at an international public policy institute. She has contributed to a variety of publications which have appeared in the New York Law Journal, CEB Civil Litigation Reporter, State Bar of California Real Property Journal, and California Lawyer. Valerie’s business background, coupled with her passion for public advocacy, brings a valuable dimension to the services that The Cochran Firm provides.
Valerie received her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. During law school, she worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Legal Writing Department, and served as a Judicial Intern in New York and Florida. Valerie was also an award-winning member of two Moot Court Teams, and ranked in the Top 10 at a national moot court competition.
Daniel H. Cargnelutti has represented numerous minority consumers in a multitude of consumer litigations leading to the recovery of significant monetary compensation for their catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. Daniel received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1986. He thereafter received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1989 and has been a member of the California State Bar since 1991. He is admitted to practice law before all Courts of the State of California, as well as before the Central, Southern and Eastern Districts of the United States District Court of California.
Daniel is an active member of the following professional associations: American Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of California; Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Bar Association; California Employment Lawyers Association; Hispanic National Bar Association and; Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County.
Founded over 40 years ago by famed attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., The Cochran Firm, as it is known today, has established itself as one of the premier plaintiffs’ litigation and criminal defense law firms in the United States. With 20 offices located in 15 states, The Cochran Firm has brought together into one firm, a diverse group of some of the most highly-experienced and respected men and women dedicated to bringing quality representation for injured people, their families, and the ordinary citizen.
Named to The National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List, The Cochran Firm has been profiled as one of America’s top plaintiffs’ law firms. The Hot List is a compendium of the country’s top 12 plaintiffs’ law firms doing the “most to shape the law in America.” In 2005, The Cochran Firm was named to The NLJ 250 list, The National Law Journal’s survey of the largest law firms in America. Notably, The Cochran Firm held the exclusive position of appearing concurrently on both of these celebrated lists. The Cochran Firm is the execution of Johnnie’s vision to have “a diverse law firm which reflects society and is capable of handling cases throughout America.” The attorneys and staff at The Firm are committed to upholding the standards of excellence set by its founding partner in representing all of their clients. You can reach The Cochran Firm at 323-931-6200, 1-800-THE FIRM, or www.cochranfirm.com.
You can contact Ms. Brennan at 323-931-6200, or email vbrennan@cochranfirm.com
You can contact Mr. Cargnelutti at 323-931-6200, or email dcargnelutti@cochranfirm.com.