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Maurice Mandel II

Maurice Mandel II

Aggressive Employment Trial Attorney, Highly Skilled Mediator
  • Employment Law, Arbitration & Mediation, Consumer Law ...
  • California
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Biography

Greetings and Welcome!
My practice has focused on EMPLOYMENT LAW cases in Federal and California Courts for 40+ years. I am a trial attorney, and have handled employment and housing cases involving race, age, gender, and physical disability harassment and discrimination and cases involving sexual harassment and discrimination.
I also handle WAGE AND HOUR matters involving the wrongful theft of wages, including class actions. I have represented both the employee and employer although I predominately represent the employee. Sometimes, I accept cases on a negotiated contingent fee.
I associate with specialists in Worker's Compensation matters, as well.
But I do more than just try cases, I am a professional ARBITRATOR and MEDIATOR and I have also served our Courts as a Court appointed mediator for many different types of cases. Housing discrimination, contract, personal injury and more. COUNSEL, I AM AVAILABLE TO SERVE AS A MEDIATOR FOR YOUR CASE, you really want me as your mediator. Not only will you get a highly trained and dedicated Mediator to help you resolve your case, you will get ADR services at a great rate.
One of my interests is speaking other languages, because you learn about other cultures that way. I have received training in many of the subtle differences in cultures that we deal with in day to day contacts. If you need someone to be sensitive to the needs of another culture, I either have experience or understanding.
I have consistently received the highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubble, an “AV” rating meaning that I had reached the highest of professional excellence and am recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.
I look forward to hearing from YOU about YOUR situation and whether you need an advocate, an arbitrator or a mediator to help you resolve your difficulties. (It is an old photo, I have grey hair now!)

Practice Areas
Employment Law
Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Arbitration & Mediation
Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation
Consumer Law
Class Action
Traffic Tickets
Landlord Tenant
Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Tenants' Rights
Additional Practice Areas
  • Wage and Hour law- employee or employer
  • Sexual Harassment or Discrimination including Gender inequity
  • Employment Harassment/Discrimination- Race, Handicap, Age, Medical Condition, Pr
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Usually if you can provide a summary of your situation by email with attached documents in pdf format, this will work best. Free consultations are not for the purpose of receiving free legal service. A consultation is not the retention of an attorney, which is only by written retainer agreement or engagement letter, signed by all. Opinions given during the free consultation would only be based on the information provided, and newly discovered or additional information may create a substantial change. In any litigation, where the ultimate determination is made by a stranger or strangers, no attorney can guarantee any particular result. Please be very wary of any attorney who says he can.
  • Contingent Fees
    Contingent fees are accepted in an appropriate case, which is determined by the Attorney. Contingent fees are not set by law and are subject to the negotiation between the attorney and the client. Costs and expenses incurred are not a part of the contingent fee, and they will be explained in detail before retaining the attorney.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Your contract with an attorney is called a retainer. We will only work for you when we have a written retainer agreement with you, signed by everyone, that sets forth what we are supposed to do and how much it will cost you. It may be very difficult to estimate in advance the amount of fees, costs or expenses to resolve your case if you retain us as trial attorneys. That may be likewise if you retain us as a Mediator or Arbitrator. We will try our best to provide you with a reasonable estimate, but it is predicting the future. We accept payments via electronic transfers using ZELLE, an interbank transfer system.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
ID Number: 98593
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9th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Professional Experience
USDC/ Los Angeles- since inception of committee
Court Appointed Mediator
- Current
Handling numerous Federal cases, particularly ADA Accessibility cases, as a Court Appointed Mediator in Conjunction with Court's ADR program.
Trial Attorney- lead counsel
Solo Practitioner- 1980- present
- Current
Presiding Arbitrator
OCBA- Mandatory Fee Arbitrator
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Served both as sole and presiding arbitrator in 3 arbitrator panels; handled numerous cases involving attorney fee disputes. Attended numerous MCLE presentations re: adjudicating fee disputes and ethical concerns for attorneys. Authored opinions.
Professor of Legal Studies- Paralegal Certificate Program
Coastline Community College- Orange Coast Comm. College District
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dates approximate. Coastline is located throughout Orange County with classes held at various locations. The Paralegal Certificate Program was developed by Margaret Lovig in the 1980's and I was a Professor of Law for that program for a number of years. Originally I developed and taught a course on Federal Civil Procedure in California, then I took on teaching Civil Litigation, Legal Research and Business Law. I really enjoyed working with all the students at Coastline, but I had a reputation of being the "Kingsfield" (from Paper chase) of the program. I also taught remotely through a program we had with the USMC to students that accessed the class via computer- JUST LIKE WE ARE DOING TODAY WITH COVID!!! But this was more than 20 years ago.
Professor of Law- lower and upper division courses
Irvine University College of Law
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dates approximate. Irvine University College of Law was a private Law School located in Irvine, CA at which I was a professor of law for several years. I taught Contracts, Civil Procedure and other Courses. I enjoyed the practice of teaching law very much.
Education
Western State University College of Law
J.D. (1979) | Law
Activities: Surviving law school
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University of Southern California
M.S. (1972) | Education
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Honors: numerous honors at graduation
Activities: Student Council member during turbulent era of student strikes in protest of Vietnam War, other duties. Recognized by Dean of Students and College President with awards.
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University of Southern California
B.S. (1971) | Business Administration
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Honors: Honored Senior at Graduation, numerous certificates and awards
Activities: Tommy Trojan- rode the school Mascot at games and in Rose Parade, 1969
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Professional Associations
Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Current
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Federal Bar Association
Founding President/Orange County Chapter
Current
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California State Bar  # 98593
Member
- Current
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Orange County Bar Association- Mandatory Fee Arbitration Committee
Member of Committee and Fee Arbitration- Handling attorney fee disputes
Activities: Served as sole arbitrator and as Presiding Arbitrator on 3 member panels.
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Speaking Engagements
Presenter, California MCLE program, Sexual Harassment in Employment, Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County Bar Association
Chairman and creator of a multi attorney panel to discuss impact of new sexual harassment cases as a Continuing Education of the Bar series for OCBA.
Legal Answers
1997 Questions Answered
Q. How do we pursue a case against CHP in the San Bernardino mountains?
A: Your circumstances are irritating, most certainly, however, you are missing a point, that is, "Who caused you damage?" By the time the CHP got there, the accident had already occurred and the damages were already imposed on you, even if you had continuing treatment for PI damage. As a citizen, you are not entitled to compel the Government to Criminally prosecute anyone. That is the job of the district attorney. Certainly, it would have been favorable for you to have a police report with a BAC on this driver, and undoubtedly the CHP officer didn't handle it in the best manner, but as several colleagues have noted, there really isn't a claim against the CHP for damages. Officers have a lot of discretion about the actions they take in the field. Finally, please note that any claim you want to make against a government agency requires a GOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM to be filed against the agency. You should contact the local CHP office in San Bernardino to see if they have forms for this or contact an attorney to file such a form. Thanks for using Justia Ask a Lawyer. ... Read More
Q. less then 60 days notice
A: Sorry to hear that you are having this difficulty with your LL. 60 day notice is required for any tenant that has resided for over one year PLUS the LL is required to provide you with a moving allowance equal to one month's rent. Further, you are ENTITLED to a refund of your security deposit so long as you return the unit in a clean condition except for usual wear and tear, and any other special conditions (like professional carpet cleaning) stated in your lease. ADDITIONALLY- you are entitled to a PRE-MOVE OUT INSPECTION, for the LL to point out any defects that you can repair before moving out. YOU need to request this in writing, and record, in writing all the things the LL wants repaired (like picture nail holes). A cheap can of spackle (dry wall mud) goes a long, long way and a professional will charge a couple of hundred dollars to repair the picture nail holes you leave behind. You are not required to repaint the property unless you have done damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, nor can the LL charge you for repainting to cover such w/t.

Your comments about the LL making you pack up last summer so they could show the property are very troublesome. The LL has essentially interfered with your quiet enjoyment of the property by doing this. You may be entitled to a rent abatement or other money, such as for storage charges to put things into storage for the benefit of the LL. You should consult with a tenant rights attorney about all of this. It may be possible for you to resolve all your disputes if the LL will pay you up front for all that they are asking from you that you are not obligated by law to do. Please always get a second opinion about legal matters, these comments are based on what you have written without any additional legal or factual research by me, which could result in a different opinion or comments. Good Luck to you.
... Read More
Q. If a cop pulls you over and gives you a ticket for expired tags that you have to correct and show proof of then a month
A: Exasperating. Not clear what your question is, are you complaining that you were cited for expired tags when they were expired? It is a fix it ticket, $25 processing fee with proof of correction. But you cannot correct because your car was impounded, not really clear why, and you need to smog it. Was the non consentual search of the vehicle legal? Probably not but then when it was impounded and towed, they could conduct a search. I would suggest consulting an attorney but you would be better to spend the money to get the car out of impound, and registered, best of luck to you. Thanks for using Justia ask a lawyer.
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Contact & Map
PO Box 411
Newport Beach, CA 92662
Telephone: (949) 874-2002
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed (Today)
Sunday: Closed
Notice: If you cannot discuss your matter during regular business hours, arrangements can be made in advance for special assistance. You can email me 24 hours a day.