Areas of Expertise

Our law firm emphasizes casualty defense for public entities, businesses, individuals, and school districts.  The principals of the firm have greater than one hundred years of litigation experience, defending public entities in cases involving dangerous conditions of public property, police excessive force, race and sex discrimination and harassment, employment discrimination, civil rights and inverse condemnation. We also represent insureds in cases involving products liability, complex construction defects, construction site accidents, wrongful death, automobile collisions, premises liability, wrongful termination, real estate transactions, bad faith litigation, commercial transactions and contracts.

The firm also regularly represents local housing authorities and private landlords in lease enforcement litigation, including unlawful detainer proceedings resulting from non-payment of rent or violations by tenants of lease terms and obligations.  Such representations include court and jury trials and negotiated settlements.

Edrington, Schirmer & Murphy LLP is pleased to report that the California Supreme Court issued its opinion on August 4, 2022, ratifying our argument that the Unruh Civil Rights Act does not apply to California public school districts.  The decision in Brennon B. v. Superior Court (2022) 13 Cal.5th 662 confirms that the Unruh Civil Rights Act applies to business establishments in the State of California, but that the term “business establishments” was not intended by the legislature to apply to public school districts.  Consequently, the remedies provided by the Unruh Act, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, will not be available to plaintiffs in actions involving public school districts.  Cody Saal of our office took the lead in briefing and oral arguments in the Court of Appeal, which also agreed with our arguments, and in the Supreme Court.

This decision represents a significant victory for public school districts statewide and will help preserve their already limited resources for the benefit of all students. 

Contact

Address : 2300 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite 450
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone : (925) 827-3300
Fax : (925) 827-3320
Email : info@esmlawfirm.com