Lisa is a partner and a member of the firm’s Employment, Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law, ERISA, and Life, Health & Disability practice groups. A skilled trial attorney, she has represented clients in a wide range of employment disputes, such as wrongful termination, disability discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation/whistleblower claims, class actions, wage and hour claims, and ADA claims. Lisa has also handled defense of addiction treatment centers in employment claims.  Business litigation matters have included contract, fraud, trademark infringement, royalty and franchise disputes for large, multi-national corporations. She has also dealt with matters involving group and individual life, health and disability insurance, including ERISA claims, and has successfully resolved high profile medical fraud claims on behalf of insurance providers, including issues of experimental treatment exclusions, and insurance bad faith and coverage.

Additionally, her practice includes professional liability defense where she has dealt with numerous legal malpractice and other professional liability claims on behalf of insurance agents, accounts, construction professionals, and real estate agents. Lisa also advises clients on employment issues, construction matters, enforcement of judgments, and contract issues. Lisa also has substantial experience representing non-profit organizations in both litigation and counseling matters.

Lisa has conducted trials in both California state courts and federal courts as well as binding arbitrations, and has handled appeals in the State of California and in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Lisa has also handled class actions in both California state courts and federal courts.

Admissions

• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Memberships

• Beverly Hills Bar Association

Community Involvement

In addition to her law practice, Ms. Garner volunteers at Loyola Law School, advising first year law students on oral argument skills, and is a member of the Junior League of Los Angeles. She also serves as member of the GRSM United Way Campaign team and works with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. She is an active supporter of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, Reprise Theatre Company, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Representative Experience

• Represented national franchisors in numerous cases relating to every aspect of the franchise relationship: actions against franchisees, trademark infringement claims, motions for preliminary injunctions, obtaining permanent injunctions on trademark claims, and defending claims under California franchise disclosure and relationship laws
• Prevailed on summary judgment in race discrimination, breach of employment contract, and trademark infringement lawsuit by a former employee against employer
• Prevailed via summary judgment on claims against former franchisee for trademark infringement and royalty fees, resulting in judgment in favor of client in excess of $1 million and attorney fee award
• Prevailed on summary judgment in favor of client, large multi-national franchisor, in lawsuit in which former franchisee claimed fraud
• Obtained jury verdict in favor of client, a multi-national corporation, in sexual harassment case
• Obtained preliminary injunction in favor of client against trademark infringer after an evidentiary hearing
• Obtained jury verdict in legal malpractice/fraud case in favor of client
• Obtained a jury verdict in favor of client, a non-profit organization, in disability and age discrimination case
• Purchased, for nuisance value, claim of plaintiff for legal malpractice against client, when plaintiff filed for bankruptcy, resulting in dismissal with prejudice of lawsuit
• Won same ERISA disability benefits case twice (after remand for re-trial by court of appeals)
• Counseled employers in handling employees found embezzling, permitting the employers to terminate the employment relationship in satisfactory manner
• Handled Ninth Circuit appeal affirming judgment in favor of GRSM's client on civil rights claim
• Won summary judgment in wrongful termination case involving bona fide occupational qualification
• Won summary judgment in disability discrimination case involving a non-profit corporation
• Obtained judgments in excess of $3.5 million in favor of a national real estate franchisor.
   

Publications 

• Sexual Harassment Training for Supervisors and Managers
• Effective Methods for Managing Employees for New Supervisors and Managers