SUMMARY
Jessica J. Mead is a partner at the firm’s Pasadena office. Ms. Mead’s practice focuses on defending cases on behalf of professionals, including architects, engineers, and attorneys. In addition to professional liability matters, Ms. Mead also has extensive experience in public entity liability, litigating matters involving employment claims, constitutional rights violations, dangerous conditions of public property, catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death. She has successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal court and argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Mead has experience practicing in both state and federal court and is admitted to practice in the Ninth Circuit. In addition to litigation, Ms. Mead also provides contract review and negotiation strategies for her clients to assist in preventing litigation before it begins.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- State Bar of California
- The Order of the Coif
PUBLICATIONS/SEMINARS
- Spearin Doctrine at 100! Everything Old is New Again
- The Limits of Reasonable Accommodation
- SB 1383- Expanding Family Leave Rights
- California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Law
- Resilience and the Evolving Standard of Care: Legal Perspectives
EXPERIENCE
Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) Victory for Civil Engineer on Claims Stemming from the Release and Management/Containment of Naturally Occurring Asbestos on Catalina Island Project Affirmed by Ninth Circuit:
Ms. Mead successfully defended her civil engineering client in federal court from a lawsuit seeking millions in damages following a claim of substantial release of naturally occurring asbestos on Catalina during the re-development of a multi-acre ranch in the center of the Island. Prior to trial, Ms. Mead filed an MSJ challenging all of the Plaintiffs’ claims against the civil engineer, including claims based on CERCLA and the California Hazardous Substances Account Act (HSAA), breach of contract and negligence. After the motion was fully-briefed, the Judge granted the MSJ in its entirety, finding that there was no genuine dispute of any material fact and that Ms. Mead’s client was not liable under CERCLA/HSAA, had not breached its contract and was not professionally negligent. Plaintiffs subsequently appealed the Court’s ruling on two different occasions. After briefing and oral arguments, Ms. Mead’s client prevailed by convincing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the trial court’s ruling. Ms. Mead was also able to obtain a substantial cost award against Plaintiffs and recovered all costs inclusive of interest for her civil engineer client.
MSJ Victory for Deputy District Attorney in Civil Rights Action in Federal Court Affirmed by Ninth Circuit:
Ms. Mead represented a deputy district attorney and district attorney’s office against claims of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations arising from a declaration filed by the deputy district attorney to secure a body attachment order of a material witness in a criminal prosecution. Ms. Mead prevailed on a motion to dismiss on behalf of the district attorney’s office and prevailed on MSJ on behalf of the deputy district attorney. The plaintiff appealed the district court’s ruling and Ms. Mead continued to handle briefing and oral argument on behalf of her client before the Ninth Circuit, which affirmed the district court’s ruling.
Favorable Jury Verdict for Public Entity Client in Personal Injury Trial:
In defending a public entity in an admitted liability personal injury suit where a public employee rear-ended the plaintiff, Ms. Mead and her team successfully convinced the jury that the plaintiff was not entitled to millions in claimed damages. Following Ms. Mead’s cross-examination of the plaintiff’s endocrinologist, the jury rejected the plaintiff’s claim that whiplash from the collision injured her pituitary gland resulting in weight gain, cognitive deficiencies, fatigue, depression, and a loss of productivity, which reducing her work capacity and requiring lifelong human growth hormone replacement therapy.
MSJ Victory for Employer Client in Retaliation Lawsuit:
Ms. Mead represented an employer in a negligence and retaliation action brought by an employee based on the employee’s enrollment in an allegedly incorrect retirement plan. Ms. Mead persuaded the court that the employer did not owe any duty to oversee the plaintiff’s retirement plan and that the employer did not subject the plaintiff to any adverse employment action as defined by the Fair Employment and Housing Act. The court granted summary judgment and awarded costs to Ms. Mead’s client.
MSJ Victory for Public Entity Client on Dangerous Condition of Public Property Wrongful Death Case Affirmed on Appeal:
Ms. Mead represented a public entity defending against claims that a driveway immediately following a blind curve on a public roadway that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist amounted to a dangerous condition of public property. After Ms. Mead prevailed on summary judgment at the trial court level, Ms. Mead and her team continued to handle the matter through appeal where the court of appeal affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment.
Successfully Negotiated Dismissal for Attorney Client:
Ms. Mead represented an attorney being sued for defamation for statements made in the course of the attorney’s representation of a client. Ms. Mead successfully negotiated dismissal of the action with prejudice after filing an anti-SLAPP motion on behalf of her client.
Motion to Dismiss Granted Without Leave to Amend in Federal Court:
Ms. Mead represented a public entity sued for civil rights violations after the plaintiff was arrested and prosecuted on murder charges that were dropped after a preliminary hearing. Ms. Mead prevailed on a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the claims were barred by the status of limitations. The court agreed with Ms. Mead’s argument that amendment would be futile and dismissed the claims against Ms. Mead’s client with prejudice