Margery Somers

Attorney Margery N. Somers, a partner with our firm, has been advocating for employees for over 2 decades. She specializes in employment law, handling wrongful termination and cases dealing with discrimination because of gender, race, age, disability, pregnancy and sexual harassment.

After graduating from UCLA, Ms. Somers received a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and thereafter received her law degree from Whittier law school where she developed her interest in employment law. Her training in statistics enables her to appropriately evaluate data in adverse impact cases and gather and analyze statistical evidence offering proof of discrimination.

A strong advocate for the disabled, Ms. Somers has emphasized supporting disabled employees in asserting their rights throughout her legal career. She additionally works with employees who are denied accommodations in the work place or whose needs have been minimized.

Since joining the firm in 1994, Ms. Somers has spoken to various interest groups on the rights of the disabled including the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related employment issues.  She has served on the President’s Committee for the Disabled in Washington, D.C.  Ms. Somers is fluent in sign language. Ms. Somers understands most disabling conditions with empathy and advocacy.

Ms. Somers is committed to legal education and often is a guest speaker or panelist for the Los Angeles County Bar Association. She also speaks to various other professional groups in the field including mediators, employment lawyers and law students and has authored several publications. Ms. Somers has also continued to support law students through mentoring programs. She has published in legal journals and other publications concerned with disabilities, evidentiary issues and crucial court rulings.

With an extensive background in public service, she better understand her clients’ special needs, especially the needs of those who have suffered harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Also, Ms. Somers is committed to representing victims of high-profile personal injury cases and has handled the cases of several women who had been sexually assaulted and/or raped.

Lastly, Ms. Somers represents high-level executives in contract disputes and focuses her efforts on diffusing often sensitive situations. Another focus of Ms. Somers’ is handling multiple employees at the same work-site who have similar or related claims against their employer.

Her focus in general is to resolve matters and, if possible, help clients get on with their lives quickly and confidentially without the necessity for protracted litigation.

Education:

• Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, California
• University of Southern California
  • Ph.D. – 1978
  • Major: Educational Psychology

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Panelist
• President’s Committee for the Disabled, Washington, D.C.
• California Employment Lawyers Association, 2001 – Present