George Joseph specializes in complex business litigation with emphasis in the areas of employment, construction, real estate, and commercial law. He represents private companies, public agencies, contractors, and design professionals in a wide variety of construction-related disputes, including contract payment and delay claims, construction defects, mechanics' liens and related remedies, land subsidence, and inverse condemnation.
Mr. Joseph has extensive experience representing employers in litigation and counseling employers on a wide range of personnel issues, including discipline and termination procedures, layoffs, harassment and discrimination, severance agreements, wage and hour issues, flexible scheduling arrangements, vacation, sick leave and other benefits, leaves of absence, and employee disabilities.
Among the services Mr. Joseph provides are drafting of employee handbooks and personnel manuals, comprehensive reviews of existing policies and procedures and seminars on issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and medical leave laws.
Mr. Joseph regularly appears at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts and before arbitrators and administrative agencies. He is a successful mediator of disputes, having served as a volunteer settlement officer and court-appointed mediator in a wide variety of matters. In addition, he is often privately retained for mediation services.
Representative Work
Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority
Acting as General Counsel to this agency which recently entered into a negotiated design-build contract for development of the initial phase of a light rail line that will eventually extend from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. This design-to-budget contract includes a $295 million allowance for construction work.
Marriott Vacation Club International v. San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency
Represented the public agency responsible for development of the Orange County toll roads in defense of a challenge to the development impact fee program, under which the toll road is financed in part through fees paid by developers in the surrounding area. Prevailed at trial and appellate level.
Prosser v. HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Inc.
Represented a healthcare company in defense of an action for alleged breach of employment agreement and business torts. Prevailed at trial and appellate level.
Sequeira v. Universal Care
Represented a health maintenance organization in defense of an action for alleged wrongful termination of employment, and discrimination. Prevailed at trial and appellate level.
Walsh Construction v. Billings Generation, Inc.
Representing the developer of a cogeneration power plant in Billings, Montana, in the prosecution of a $4 million claim against the general contractor and its surety for delay damages and warranty items.
Lembas v. Kleian
Represented the owner of an automobile dealership in defense of action by employee for alleged breach of employment contract, and in prosecution of cross-claims for employee theft. Prevailed at trial level.
Palm Desert Disposal, Inc. v. Aberthaw Construction
Represented owner of waste hauling facility in suit to recover damages for defective repair of underground storage tank. Prevailed in arbitration.
City of Encinitas v. City of San Marcos
Represented the City in defense of a mandamus action, under the California Environmental Quality Act, challenging the permitting of a waste-to-energy plant. Prevailed at trial level.
Lockheed Martin v. Transportation Corridor Agencies
Represented the public agency responsible for development of toll roads in Orange County in defense of a $100 million dispute with the contractor responsible for development and operation of the toll collection facilities. Negotiated favorable settlement.
Villa, et al. v. Winners Circle Resorts International
Represented the developer of a time share resort complex in defense of a challenge to permitting, under the California Environmental Quality Act. Prevailed at trial level.
George Joseph has extensive experience representing employers in litigation and counseling employers on a wide range of personnel issues, including discipline and termination procedures, layoffs, harassment and discrimination, severance agreements, wage and hour issues, flexible scheduling arrangements, vacation, sick leave and other benefits, leaves of absence, and employee disabilities.
Among the services Mr. Joseph provides are drafting of employee handbooks and personnel manuals, comprehensive reviews of existing policies and procedures, and seminars on issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and medical leave laws.
He also represents private companies, public agencies, contractors, and design professionals in a wide variety of construction-related disputes, including contract payment and delay claims, construction defects, mechanics' liens and related remedies, land subsidence, and inverse condemnation.
Mr. Joseph regularly appears at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts and before arbitrators and administrative agencies. He is a successful mediator of disputes, having served as a volunteer settlement officer and court-appointed mediator in a wide variety of matters. In addition, he is often privately retained for mediation services.
Representative Work
Represented the owner of an automobile dealership in successful defense of action by employee for alleged breach of employment contract, and in prosecution of cross-claims for employee theft. Favorable trial judgment obtained.
Successfully defended a health maintenance organization in an action for alleged wrongful termination of employment, and discrimination. Summary judgment granted.
Represented a healthcare company in successful defense of an action for alleged breach of employment agreement and business torts. Summary judgment granted.
Obtained summary judgment for a government contractor in successful defense of an action for alleged disability discrimination.
Successfully defended a claim for alleged pregnancy discrimination against a medical research firm. Plaintiff dismissed claim without payment.
Represented a medical partnership in defense of an action for alleged sexual harassment. Negotiated favorable settlement after summary adjudication.
Successfully defended a health care company in class action for alleged wage and hour violations. Class was not certified and case settled for a nominal sum.