MoProBono - Spring 2018 Update

6 MoProBono Spring 2018 San Francisco Business Restructuring & Insolvency senior counsel Adam Lewis recently obtained a life-changing win for a pro bono client referred by California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA). The client had been working as an all-around hand at a now-bankrupt Central Valley dairy for more than 15 years. During his tenure at the dairy, he often worked long hours, sometimes seven days a week, and other times up to 13 hours per day. In spite of this, he was only paid $1,700 a month throughout his employment. He was not paid overtime or for extra days worked, in violation of California law. Unfortunately, according to Adam, the dairy used its leverage arising from the client’s need for employment to support himself and his family to try to cheat the client out of more than $50,000. Adam explained that this tactic is frequently used by agricultural employers to avoid paying employees the wages they are owed under California law. The case had been referred to bankruptcy court by the California Labor Commissioner, before whom CRLA had initiated a claim proceeding. In the bankruptcy case, Adam, helped by a CRLA lawyer and Adam’s assistant Margaret McIlhargie, obtained a judgment for the client for the full amount owed. The claim was then fully paid by the dairy. The client was thrilled with the outcome. The dairy used its leverage arising from the client’s need for employment to support himself and his family to try to cheat the client out of more than $50,000. WHO DOES IT