Navigating workplace sexual harassment can be overwhelming. In Utah, it is a significantly prevalent yet underreported issue. As expert sexual harassment lawyers in Utah, Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC, is committed to helping victims end the cycle of harassment and recover rightful compensation. Interpreting Sexual Harassment Laws in Utah Utah state law, through the Utah Antidiscrimination Act, explicitly prohibits any form of employment discrimination, including sexual harassment. In terms of facts and figures, Utah State University reports that 25% of women in Utah have acknowledged exper ..read more

​​Contemporary workplaces often require navigation through complex employment laws. However, the landscape has recently become a bit friendlier for those reporting on illegal activities. Now, California Labor Code Section 1102.5 reinforces whistleblower protection more than ever before. If you believe you ​have been unfairly terminated for being a whistleblower​, Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC can help protect your rights and pursue compensation. Contact Us Strengthened Whistleblower Protection In its original form, Labor Code Section 1102.5 acted to protect employees who might encounter ..read more

As we look back on a remarkable 2023, our law firm has made great strides in growing our legal practice in both California and Utah to best serve those who have suffered employment injustices. We are honored to share with you the stand-out moments, notable victories, and our vision for the future. Notable Employment Law Victories for the Firm & Our Clients Dedicated to fighting for justice and equality, we are proud to have filed in federal court our first employment law case, Travis v. DentalQore, in Utah this past year. We have since filed more federal civil rights cases in Utah. This m ..read more

The term “Qui Tam Relator” might sound arcane, but its implications in safeguarding government programs are vast. A qui tam “relator” is the legal term for the private individual or entity who serves as a whistleblower, acting as the government’s informant in cases where the government might have been defrauded. But what exactly is a qui tam relator, and how do they navigate the legal landscape? In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of qui tam relators, their origins, rewards, legal protections, challenges, and some real-life examples of their impact. If you believe you have a potentia ..read more

As reported in March of 2023, Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC and the trial team of Brittany Berzin and Renald Konini successfully defended their client, Michelle Eckhardt, against false claims made by Ms. Eckhardt’s former employer, Everlasting Gifts, Inc. (Everlasting). Following the successful outcome of the jury trial, Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC filed a motion to recover attorneys’ fees in the amount of $279,655.00. The Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) allows the prevailing party to request attorneys’ fees upon an express finding that a trade secrets lawsuit was willfully malicious o ..read more

The California Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc. case in July 2023. The state high court ruled that individual Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims are still subject to arbitration agreements, per the U.S. Supreme Court’s Viking River Cruises v. Moriana ruling. However, the resulting PAGA claim for similarly situated employees can now go through court and is not subject to arbitration. Individual PAGA claims are still subject to arbitration if the individual employee signs an enforceable arbitration agreement with their employer. Shimoda &a ..read more

Panelists Discussed Utah Labor Commissioner’s Office, Defense Attorney Perspectives, and Lawyer Civility Galen Shimoda, as president of the Utah Employment Lawyers Association (UELA), organized and spoke on his experiences with the Utah Labor Commission during the 2023 UELA conference. The not-for-profit organization consists of about 40 active members, including employment law attorneys, law students from the nearby University of Utah, and members of nonprofits helping employees. The 2023 conference featured three panels discussing Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor (UALD)/Labor Commissione ..read more

Founding Partner Galen Shimoda Rallies Volunteers To Mentor Students On Real Cases A tenet of Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC is giving back to the local community the firm serves. When founder Galen Shimoda expanded the employment law group to Utah, he quickly became involved with the Utah Employment Lawyers Association (UELA) and found himself elected president, which led to further volunteer opportunities. UELA is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992, consisting of employment law attorneys, law students from the nearby University of Utah, and nonprofits dedicated to helping employ ..read more

Creating An Atmosphere For Team Building A consequence of being an employment lawyer is the exposure to what employees find dissatisfying in the workplace. When you run your own firm, like Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC, that provides the partners with the insight to host a company retreat. In April, partners Galen Shimoda and Justin Rodriguez shut down the practice for two days and invited the attorneys and staff at the firm’s Elk Grove, California, and Holladay, Utah offices to come together team building, site seeing, skiing, golfing, and lots of food. “While we see each other on weekly Z ..read more

Brittany Berzin has a long history of volunteering with the Sacramento-based Center for Workers’ Rights While at the McGeorge School of Law, aspiring lawyer Brittany Berzin was introduced to the Center for Workers’ Rights (CWR) employment law clinic, and its mission resonated with her. The Center for Workers’ Rights is a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization committed to improving the working conditions of low-wage workers and their families. Founded in 2014, the Center focuses on offering its free-of-cost services to low-wage workers regardless of citizenship status. Brittany said she bega ..read more