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Vanessa A. Evangelista

SUMMARY

Vanessa Evangelista is a trial attorney in the firm’s Pasadena office. Ms. Evangelista practices in the areas of public entity liability, civil rights, professional liability, employment, and insurance coverage. Ms. Evangelista’s practice also includes representing public entities in matters involving dangerous conditions of public property, personal injury, wrongful death, police excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and other civil rights issues. She represents professional in all aspects of their professional practice. She also handles employment litigation, which includes administrative hearings and arbitrations dealing with employment and labor issues on behalf of public entities. Ms. Evangelista’s extensive experience with general liability and with public entities provides her a unique ability to evaluate complex issues, investigate and assess government tort claims, and defend cases through trial. In addition to successfully defending her public entity clients and employees in litigation in both state and federal court, Ms. Evangelista works closely with her public entity clients to assist them in managing their risk, creating solutions to current issues and to provide advice and counsel to develop strategies to avoid future litigation and future claims.

Ms. Evangelista is an active member of the Asian American Architects and Engineers (AAa/E).

EXPERIENCE

Favorable Defense Verdict for County: Ms. Evangelista obtained a judgment at trial in favor of the County of Los Angeles in a personal injury lawsuit involving a peace officer who collided with the plaintiff’s vehicle in an intersection while responding with lights and sirens to an emergency call for an assault with a deadly weapon. The plaintiff claimed the incident caused lower back injuries including a herniated disc and requested a $5 million jury award. The jury unanimously found that the peace officer was driving in response to an emergency call with his lights and sirens activated and that his actions were not a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff.

Favorable Ruling in Arbitration: Ms. Evangelista represented the County of Los Angeles as the employer in an arbitration involving the discipline of a County employee for inappropriate conduct. The County employee disputed the discipline imposed upon her. At arbitration, Ms. Evangelista successfully obtained a favorable ruling, and the Arbitrator found that County met its burden of proof and sustained the discipline of the employee.

Favorable Settlement for County: Ms. Evangelista defended the County of Los Angeles in a sexual abuse case involving a minor. Ms. Evangelista successfully demonstrated that the County of Los Angeles had no actual or constructive notice of knowledge of any alleged wrongdoing on the part of its employee. As a result, Ms. Evangelista brokered a favorable settlement of the matter amongst all parties.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
  • State Bar of California
PUBLICATIONS/SEMINARS
  • So What Do Those Magic Words Really Mean? – Defining Physical Loss of Property for Business Interruption Policies
  • Select Coverage and Employment Issues During COVID 19 (Webinar)
  • Select Coverage and Employment Issues During Covid-19
  • What Do Those Magic Words Really Mean
  • California Prepares for Business Interruption Coverage Battle
  • How to Outsmart the Snake: Defenses to the Reptilian Litigation Strategy
  • Managing Projects + Managing Risk
  • Developments in Employment Litigation
  • The Skill and Art of Negotiations
  • Step by Step Guide for Managing Risk Analysis