We are proud to announce that Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer and Habbas & Associates (The “Andrews Team”) are among five finalists for the Public Justice Foundation’s 2016 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. Public Justice seeks cases that challenge predatory corporate conduct, address economic issues, or combat social injustice. This year, members of The Andrews Team are in the top five potential recipients for their recent success in a seven-year legal battle, Andrews v. Lawrence Livermore National Security.
After the George W. Bush administration privatized a national security laboratory, layoffs forced 400 employees out the door, along with decades of experience and knowledge. This not only compromised the workers’ well-being, but also jeopardized safety of the nation.
Comprised of only four lawyers, The Andrews Team took on 1,200 attorneys at Lawrence Livermore Labs in a legal battle that began in 2008. After more than 100 depositions, 300,000 document evaluations, innumerable client interviews, two trials, and powerful litigation, The Andrews Team won a $37.25 million settlement through mediation.
At first, the defendant insisted on a confidential settlement. The Andrews Team refused to accept the confidentiality agreement and stated that the settlement should be public knowledge because American taxpayers had to right to know where their money went.
The Andrews Team was comprised of three attorneys from Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer, Robert J. Schwartz, Randall E. Strauss, and J. Gary Gwilliam and Omar Habbas from Habbas & Associates.
The Public Justice Foundation will hold its Annual Gala and Awards Dinner on Sunday, July 24, 2016 in Los Angeles to present the award. To learn more about the award and the other finalists, visit the Public Justice Foundation online.
