Practice Areas Overview
The Damiani Law Group APC limits its practice to helping individuals and businesses in Southern California in the areas of criminal defense and employment law. Principal attorney Lisa J. Damiani has decades of experience trying cases in these areas and has taken numerous cases to trial, achieving excellent results for countless clients. By concentrating on these two areas of law, our firm is able to stay focused and abreast of all the latest legal developments and provide high-quality legal services to our clients with a high level of personal attention. We are committed to being there for our clients every step of the way and doing everything possible to achieve the best possible result in their particular situation. If you are involved in a criminal law or employment law matter in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, or anywhere in Southern California, contact the Damiani Law Group APC for immediate assistance.
Criminal Defense
Our office assists in any kind of state or federal criminal charge. Besides just defending you in court, we can help you with your charge in numerous ways. In fact, the earlier we are brought into a case, the more help we can offer. We may be able to negotiate a favorable plea or influence what charges are brought. We may even be able to have the case dismissed or prevent charges from ever being filed in the first place. Always talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney before you talk to the police. It is always in your best interest to consult with an attorney, but rarely is it in your best interest to voluntarily submit to police interrogation.
Whether you decide to enter a plea or take your case to trial, we provide a thoughtful and vigorous representation using every means at our disposal. We will tell you from the outset what the risks and benefits are of the different options available to you, and we will keep you informed at all stages of the matter, so that you can make the best decisions in your particular case.
Our firm represents clients charged in state and federal court with nearly every type of crime, including:
- Homicide - murder, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide
- Drug Crimes - possession, distribution, cultivation, trafficking
- Property Crimes - theft, burglary, larceny, taking property under false pretenses
- Violence and weapons offenses - aggravated assault, battery, possession of an unlicensed firearm
- Sex Offenses - indecent exposure, prostitution and solicitation, sexual assault, rape
- White Collar Crime - bribery, embezzlement, forgery, blackmail, securities fraud, insider trading, wire fraud, business fraud, Internet fraud and computer crimes
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Domestic Violence
- White Collar Crimes, including fraud, conspiracy, racketeering, money laundering and counterfeiting
Employment Law
Our firm represents employers and employees across the entire range of employment law matters, including discrimination and harassment, wrongful termination, and unfair competition.
Discrimination - both state and federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, and other factors, such as genetic information. Any employment decision, from hiring to firing and everything in between, that is based on a protected characteristic, may constitute unlawful discrimination.
Harassment - sexual harassment in the workplace can occur when a supervisor conditions favorable or unfavorable job treatment based on the subordinate's willingness to become romantically involved or return sexual favors. In addition, a hostile work environment can occur when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is so severe and pervasive that it creates a threatening or intimidating workplace. A hostile environment can be created by verbal or physical acts, or written materials and pictures. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by a man or a woman, and the victim need not be of the opposite sex for harassment to occur.
Wrongful Termination - an employee who is fired based on discrimination or harassment may be able to sue for reinstatement, lost wages and emotional distress damages. Other bases for a wrongful discharge action include a retaliatory discharge in retaliation for complaining about or reporting discrimination or violations of laws or safety standards. Reporting matters of public policy is a protected activity known as whistleblowing, and many laws protect a whistleblower from being fired or mistreated in retaliation for engaging in protected activity.
Unfair Competition - unfair competition often arises when a former employee takes unfair advantage of the company and goes into business for himself, herself or a competitor. We negotiate, draft, and litigate matters related to trade secrets, covenants not to compete, and confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.
In addition to litigation, we provide advice and counsel to employers to help them have policies and practices in place that will hopefully avoid litigation in the future, or protect them in the event a dispute does arise. For instance, a company that has well-drafted job descriptions outlining the essential functions of the job or a sexual harassment complaint policy in place that is well-implemented, will be more likely to succeed in the face of an EEOC investigation or lawsuit when an employee receives an unfavorable job action and complains that he or she was harassed or discriminated against. We help clients by planning and developing policies and practices, drafting and reviewing documents, and advising on laws such as overtime issues and the legal implications of layoffs. We are also able to come in and examine a specific problem the business is having, either with a particular employee or group of employees or with a general company practice.
Seek Experienced Legal Representation
Whether you have been charged with a crime or are an employer or employee with an employment law matter to deal with, trust your case to an attorney who is experienced in that area of law, who will give you honest and open advice, and who truly cares about you and your success. Contact attorney Lisa Damiani at the Damiani Law Group APC.
