Beth Kahn's practice encompasses the areas of employment law and insurance coverage. She has extensive experience in both federal and state courts, as well as before governmental agencies. Beth represents private and public entities in virtually all areas of employment law including litigation and proactive counseling. Her experience includes handling litigation and claims of wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and violations of civil rights. Beth counsels employers regarding human resource decisions, personnel policies, employment handbooks, hirings, layoffs, terminations and other disciplinary actions. Beth advises insurers concerning their insurance coverage obligations. She has handled numerous insurance coverage matters including environmental, marine, employment practices liability and construction defect claims. Beth has represented insurance companies in complex, multi-party coverage litigation, including several of the largest environmental coverage actions filed in California. Beth also represents clients in toxic torts and other environmental litigation concerning state and federal cleanup liability. Formerly, Beth served as the firm's Insurance Practice Group Leader for over eight years. In addition, Beth has handled civil rights matters on behalf of public entities, law enforcement officers and social workers. She was lead counsel in two landmark decisions, Alicia T. v. County of Los Angeles (1990) 222 Cal.App.3d 869, 271 Cal.Rptr. 513 (absolute immunity under Title 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for county social workers in connection with their investigation of child abuse and instigation of dependency proceedings) and Elene H. v. County of Los Angeles (1990) 220 Cal.App.3d 1445, 269 Cal.Rptr. 783 (Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment for sheriff's deputies in child abuse case brought by parents to whom child was subsequently returned). Professional Memberships and Activities ˇ Defense Research Institute, Employment and Insurance Sections ˇ Los Angeles County Bar Association ˇ American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law and Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Sections Distinctions ˇ Practice Group Leader for Employment Law, Morris Polich & Purdy LLP ˇ AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubbell ˇ Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ - Labor and Employment Law 2012 ˇ Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ - Labor and Employment Law 2011 Speeches and Publications ˇ "Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault: Legal Perspective - Civil," Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault in Educational Institutions conference co-sponsored by WRM America and Morris Polich & Purdy LLP, Loyola Marymount University, November 16, 2011 ˇ Interviewed by Colleen Williams on NBC Nonstop News LA on the topic of sexual harassment and sexual assault in educational institutions, November 9, 2011 ˇ Insurability Concerns in the EPLI Context - Punitive Damages, Intentional Acts and the Insurance Market's Response to Coverage, ABA Section of Litigation Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar, March 4, 2011 ˇ Employment Practices Liability Coverage - Updates and Strategies in Addressing Employment-Based Claims, ABA Section of Litigation Insurance Coverage Committee CLE Seminar, March 5, 2010 ˇ Be Proactive and Not Reactive in Protecting Your Legal Rights, California Association for Adult Day Services Winter Meeting, March 3, 2010 ˇ The Insurer's Duty to Advise the Insured of the Right to Select Independent Counsel, ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section CLE Seminar, February 26, 2010 ˇ Sexual Harassment Prevention Seminar, September 30, 2009 ˇ The Application and Interpretation of Pollution Exclusions in a Construction Litigation Context: Current Trends and Recent Developments ˇ Served as a faculty member for the Defense Research Institute ˇ Ms. Kahn speaks often to employers and associations regarding employment law and insurance coverage issues and has contributed to multiple articles on these subjects. Articles 3/5/2010, Employment Practices Liability Coverage: Updates and Strategies in Addressing Employment-Based Claims
In light of the current economic environment, the risk of exposure to liability in the employment practices context is greater than ever.
This article discusses the development of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and common issues that arise in the EPLI context. Events 2/15/2012, California Employment Law: Updates & Changes for 2012
2012 brings new responsibilities and obligations for employers. Several employment-related bills were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, many of which include new requirements, and it is important for California employers to understand how to comply with them. In order to help protect employers against liability, Morris Polich & Purdy LLP has crafted an employment seminar that will outline the new and changing laws of which California employers need to be aware, and provide tips for handling these new requirements.
Our speakers are employment attorneys who specialize in advising employers. Topics covered will include:
ˇ The new "Anti-Wage Theft" law
ˇ Additional pregnancy disability leave protections
ˇ Misclassification of employees as independent contractors - new liability and penalties
ˇ Expansion of FEHA protections - gender identity and gender expression
ˇ New background check laws impacting employers
ˇ Many others
Audience:
This seminar provides an insight that is ideal for business owners, senior management and human resources professionals in all types of businesses, as well as attorneys.
*This seminar is hosted by Morris Polich & Purdy LLP, and will be provided free of charge to all attendees. A complimentary catered breakfast will be provided. This seminar has been approved for MCLE credit. 11/9/2011, Beth Kahn Appeared on NBC Nonstop News LA
On November 9, 2011, MPP partner Beth Kahn appeared on NBC's Nonstop News LA, where she was interviewed by Colleen Williams on the topic of sexual harassment and sexual assault in educational institutions. During the interview, Beth commented on a new 47-page report which surveyed 2000 students. 3/4/2011, Insurability Concerns in the EPLI Context - Punitive Damages, Intentional Acts and the Insurance Market's Response to Coverage
MPP partner Beth Kahn was a speaker on this panel at the ABA Section of Litigation's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar from 12:35 - 2:00 PM on Friday, March 4, at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, AZ. 3/5/2010, Employment Practices Liability Coverage - Updates and Strategies in Addressing Employment-Based Claims
MPP Partner Beth Kahn was a panelist in the above session at the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, AZ.
Description: This panel will discuss the nature of EPL coverage including what constitutes a "claim" in the context of employee demand letters and EEOC Charges, late notice issues and strategies for insurers and policyholders when confronted with employment-related claims. 3/3/2010, Be Proactive and Not Reactive in Protecting Your Legal Rights
MPP attorneys Marc Katz, Beth Kahn and Mark Angert spoke at the California Association for Adult Day Services (CAADS) Winter Meeting at the Del Mar Hilton in San Diego.
Description: This course will provide an overview of legal challenges facing our industry and what needs to be done to prevent these problems from affecting your center and you personally. In this course, attendees will be able to:
ˇ Understand the legal challenges facing our industry
ˇ Understand what needs to be done to prevent these legal challenges from affecting your center
ˇ Learn how to protect your center from accusations by the Department of Health Services, Audits and Investigations as well as claims of negligence and elder abuse, and employment law violations 2/26/2010, MPP Partner Beth Kahn - Panelist at ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section 18th Annual Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Midyear Program
Beth Kahn was a panelist in the "Independent Counsel" Toolbox Lunch Session entitled "Insurance Coverage on the Horizon: Oasis or Mirage?" at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ. 9/30/2009, Sexual Harassment Prevention Seminar
Government Code Section 12950.1 (AB 1825)
Presented by Beth A. Kahn and Douglas H. Hoang. (Also at San Francisco Office) |