Wendy E. Lane focuses on business and employment counseling, litigation, and dispute resolution. She has represented clients in actions for breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition and unfair business practices, trademark infringement, civil conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duties, wrongful death/toxic torts and claims arising from the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act. She also has considerable experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in employment litigation involving claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliatory discharge and wrongful discharge, as well as drafting employment handbooks and advising employers on employment issues.

Wendy has significant experience in child advocacy and family law. She authored the first edition of a manual on adoption law used by pro bono attorneys and law students in finalizing adoptions of dependent children throughout Los Angeles. An advocate of children's rights, Wendy has dedicated substantial time as a volunteer and intern with various social service agencies and non-profit, charitable organizations. Wendy lives in Culver City with her husband, is an avid scrap-booker and baker, and is a devoted Godmother and "Auntie."

Notable Results:

• Represented national refiner and marketer of gasoline and other petroleum products in numerous franchise termination actions under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act. Successfully obtained summary judgment, judgment on the pleadings, and a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding judgment on the pleadings, which eliminated the actions against client.
• Represented accountant in dispute over the stock ownership of a closely-held corporation, defeating demurrer and successfully bringing motion to compel production of documents and obtaining sanctions against the other side before proceeding to bench trial. Settled case favorably for client after cross-examination of opposing side's key witness on first day of trial.
• Defended one of world's leading glass and ceramics manufacturers in product liability dispute. Filed motion for summary judgment demonstrating lack of evidence that client's product allegedly caused illness and death of individual who used product, persuading plaintiffs to dismiss case.
• Defended national food and drug store chains in wage and hour class action, efficiently coordinating depositions of hundreds of putative class members and review of thousands of pages of time sheets before settling matter favorably on behalf of clients.
• Favorably settled discrimination and harassment claims against head of prominent manufacturing company, less than two months after employee filed suit and one day after taking the employee's deposition.

 Publications:

• Smart Supervision, March 30, 2009 (PDF File)
  Reduce the Risk of Litigation When Dealing With Layoffs, by Wendy Lane
• Area Development Magazine, November 2008
  In Focus: Layoffs - Legal Protection for Employers, by Olivia Goodkin and Wendy Lane

Wendy Lane has also contributed to:

• Best Practices in HR
• HR Banker
• Chain Store Age
• CCH HR Management
• Talent Management

Awards & Recognition

• Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition 2007 and 2008, Law and Politics
• UCLA Moot Court Competition, Best Brief
• Foundation of the State Bar Merit Scholarship for public service

Memberships & Community Involvement

• State Bar of California, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Member
• Bruin Professionals, Member
• Angeles Girl Scout Council, Former Director
• Children's Rights Project of Public Counsel, Los Angeles, Former Volunteer
• Orange County District Attorney's Office, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, Former Intern
• Orange County Social Services, Former Intern
• American Legion Auxiliary, 18-year Former Member
• Sheepfold (Shelter for Women and Children), Former Volunteer