What's the deal with these O/T lawsuits?

Admittedly, I don't know much about the lawsuit, it's merits or lack thereof, but I have to wonder if to a degree, firms haven't brought this stupidity on themselves by mandating 70-hour weeks, including Saturdays for new reps, and even putting these demands in writing.  I think it was Maybeeee(etc.) that brought this to our attention, and my first thought was that this practice is just asking for a lawsuit.  I understand requiring reps to work during market hours, and impressing upon them that success is unlikely unless you put in some long hours, and even suggesting a schedule (including some evenings and weekends) that will increase success, but mandating this stuff in writing seems to me to be asking for problems.  A smarter course of action seems to be mandating minimum production targets at certain levels.  Slackers will tend to weed themselves out with this system, making mandated hours a moot point.

On the other hand, it's been pointed out that participating in a class action suit at the expense of your employer is probably not the wisest course of action if you value your position.  I understand that settlements may only be a few hundred dollars...hardly worth pissing off your boss...

So how do I get my piece of the pie?

[quote=whalehunter]So how do I get my piece of the pie?[/quote]

You don't want it.  It will only be peanuts for what you may see as a result.

If the B/D’s lose a bunch of these lawsuits how will they protect themselves in the future.? Brokers punching time clocks?  No thanks.  The people who are all worked up to get a cash judgement are pretty short sighted in my opnion.

It's very interesting to me.  I worked for a consumer elctronics retailer and went through this.  After the lawsuit was settled I received a check for close to $10K, that was back in 1992 and the merits of the case were the same.  Commission pay, required hours beyond 40 that were not documented, and all wrapped in the context of, "Do it or else you're fired".

When I went to work for a wirehouse it was a variation on the same thing.  "Call nights, seminars, training, sales assistant pay, ticket charges that went against the firm were docked from your check.  The pay was so crappy my collegues wife thought we was "Volunteering" not working.

When firms lay people off they're bitter...I know I was.  You have to think someone's goona talk to an attorney.  That's the nature of business in the Good Ol' USA..."File a Lawsuit" and hope to settle.  If you can't accept that then what are doing in this business anyway?

Settlements are not “a few hundred dollars”  300.00 for every month you worked at a wirehouse in CA.  7 years worth of b.s has me getting over 25,000.  The way these companies rip off the brokers, it should be more.  Congrats to Mark Thieren for making some serious $$$ for himself, and actually allowing brokers to see something worthwhile… These suits are just getting started outside CA…be patient it will make its way around according to Mark.

I am sure all of us FL reps will be out in the cold since I think FL is not a right to work state and some how we will be shafted.

[quote=fritz]Settlements are not "a few hundred dollars"  300.00 for every month you worked at a wirehouse in CA.  7 years worth of b.s has me getting over 25,000.  The way these companies rip off the brokers, it should be more.  Congrats to Mark Thieren for making some serious $$$ for himself, and actually allowing brokers to see something worthwhile... These suits are just getting started outside CA..be patient it will make its way around according to Mark.[/quote]

What a whining failure this guy must be.

Brokers should be delighted that their firm agrees to allow them to stay after five o'clock.

The unintended consequence of this will be that firms will close the doors at five and require everybody to leave.

Class action lawyers are the biggest sleazeballs in our society--followed closely by those who support what they do.

It is wrong when a firm requires you to do extra activities and will not compensate you for it.

[quote=peanutbroker]It is wrong when a firm requires you to do extra activities and will not compensate you for it. [/quote]

Nonsense you're not a hourly wage slave.  That atttitude is a guaranteed way to fail in this business.

When I was in production I worked at least 60 hours a week--and often more than that as a member of the management team.

Try being at the airport on the weekend so that you can be somewhere first thing Monday morning--try working all night on the defense of a goofy claim--try working on Saturday's trying to hammer out a "diversity" policy with some nut telling you that if we don't give second chances on Series 7 to certain people we'll be sued for millions of dollars.

If you're asked to do something without being paid for it.....blah, blah, blah.

Having read the thread here, I think I should set the record straight.  Our California law firm is one of the firms handling some of these cases.  Believe me when I tell you that our goals here are only to get brokers paid for the long hours we know they work.  It's really that simple.  Of the scores of class actions (mostly outside of the financial services industry, since few of these broker cases have been filed thus far) we have prosecuted, class members that are part of those settlements oftentimes receive well in excess of a few thousand dollars and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, so these cases are extremely rewarding for them (and without any work other than submitting a one page claim form).  Getting such a check without even knowing their employers were cheating them is a nice surprise.

Moreover, the law is very clear about overtime pay in the financial services industry, far clearer than in most other industries and, as such, these cases sometimes settle relatively quickly.  It may seem like a hassle to punch a time clock, but let's be serious; how much work is punching a time clock when you're then able to collect your overtime pay plus your commissions?  The opposition to the concept of getting overtime pay is the result of years of brainwashing by employers that it is more prestigious not to get paid for all your long hours.  It's a "bill of goods" employers have sold to their workers for decades and it has got to stop.  Don't buy into such a self-serving concept.  You worked the hours; you should get fully paid for them.

I am happy to talk to anyone interested in learning more about these cases or discussing their company's practices.  We're located on the web at www.scalaw.com or at (510) 891-9800

-Scott Cole, Esq.  ([email protected])

It's amazing that an adult is so willing to parade himself as a whore.

I hope that the monitors will strike this guy's advertisment.

The unintended consequence of what he and those of his ilk are doing is to make it impossible for rookie brokers to work hard--and in so doing ensure their failure.

He is no friend of yours.

There is no surer way to ruin your career than to join one of this guy's class actions--you paint a big target on your back and may even ruin your U-4.  I know that if you left my firm I"d indicate on your U-5 that you were fired for cause.

Try getting another job in the industry with that going for you.

I always thought the idea of a commission-paid career was to pay based on performance, not how many hours are worked.  Maybe I’m too far out of the loop.

[quote=BrokerRecruit]I always thought the idea of a commission-paid career was to pay based on performance, not how many hours are worked.  Maybe I'm too far out of the loop.[/quote]

Nah, it's just that these class action shysters are shaking down the industry these days.

What is going to happen is rookies are going to be locked out of their offices after 5 PM and before 8 AM, and all day on the weekends.

The only people who will have a chance of succeeding are those who are born with silver spoons in their mouths.

It never fails to amaze me that people like this Coles guy don't have more class.

An alternative unintended consequence is to get the rookie to sign a statement that says he understands that he is expected to work 60 hours per week.

That signature can then be used to fire him if he doesn't.

Every broker in the country should tell these whores to crawl back under their rocks.

Too many law schools graduating too many underqualified lawyers--so the bottom of the class opens up a one man shop, calls it "Joe Blow & Associates" and goes about looking for a class action suit to file.

If you ever met one you can see that dull look of stupidity in their eyes.

I just read, with great interest, the posts by NASD Newbie.

Newbie:  Why the aggression toward us or what we're trying to do for you and why such distrust?  Are you actually a broker or part of some firm's management just watching this board?  What possible reason would you have to be offended by the fact that people are out here actually trying to change a corrupt system, particularly when it benefits you and your co-workers?

You can be as personally offensive as you wish and call us "whores" (although you don't even know us) but don't dissuade others who actually want legal help from seeking it; employers have done that for years and some of us are getting really tired of it.

I have met dozens of members of the plaintiff's bar--not one of which would I consider having a drink with.

You are no more trying to help solve a corrupt system than you are trying to fly--you have no skills so you file nonsensical lawsuits hoping to shake down an employer.

The result of what you're doing is going to be that rookie brokers will be locked out of their offices after 5 PM and before 8 AM--and their ability to work hard will be gone.

You are no more valueable to our society than a worm or cockroach.

I should mention as well, that the scenario about being "locked out" of your office is quite unrealistic.  The goal of these cases is to alow you to keep your commissions, but ALSO get you overtime pay.  Why would naturally assume the company is being completely open with you and that anyone challanging them is "dirty?"  These are seasoned brokers filing these cases who are standing up for what's right, not gold-diggers looking for "get-rich-quick" schemes.

I can't believe you actually think the way you say you do.  I'm sure you're just having fun at our expense.  Whether I'm right or not, we're sorry to have upset you so by representing some of these clients.

You're a whore, right now you're doing the equivalent of standing on a street corner shouting "Wanna date" at every guy who drives by.

Does your mother know what you do?

Tell, Shyster, how does somebody who is paid straight commissions value their time?  It is not uncommon for a guy to go weeks without earning anything, only to land a big deal he was working on.

How many hours was he supposed to work on it?  What is fair?

Come on lawyer, strut your stuff.  You don't have a moron on your hands here--I've been an expert witness dozens of times, I know you and your ilk.

You're a guy who couldn't catch on with a regular firm so  you started your own--big deal.  The movies are filled with your type.

What you have in brokers are honest people who are ambitiious--I am truly surprised that somebody hasn't set you on fire.

Somewhere I read "I got a check for $10,000."

I remind the brokers who are reading this, and the potential brokers too--if you're doing this right you'll make that much in a month after a year or two--maybe even that much a week.

Is it really worth running the risk that you'll ruin your own career for a month's pay?  How about for a week's pay?

If you were the senior managers of your firm would you look kindly on a guy who joined a lawsuit against his employer--classic biting the hand that feeds you stuff?

Suppose you joined this shyster's case and further suppose you won and your firm give you a check for a few thousand dollars.  Five years later a client files an arbitration claim--you are in bad need of an attorney.  Do you suppose your firm is going to support you in your time of need?

There are absolutely no reasons to pay attention to this guy.  Even if you hear he sued your firm--do NOT join the class, you have far more to lose than you have to gain.

[quote=ClassCounsel]

I should mention as well, that the scenario about being "locked out" of your office is quite unrealistic.

[/quote]

No it's actually very realistic.  If what you're doing results in being mandated to pay a rookie "overtime" this former branch manager would simply close the office and make the rookie go home.

If he wants to make a living he can work there, but he'll play hell proving it.

[quote= ]

The goal of these cases is to alow you to keep your commissions, but ALSO get you overtime pay.  Why would naturally assume the company is being completely open with you and that anyone challanging them is "dirty?"  These are seasoned brokers filing these cases who are standing up for what's right, not gold-diggers looking for "get-rich-quick" schemes.

[/quote]

Only a class action whore would think that what any given member of the class is a way to get rich.  What are you going to make counsellor?  A third plus a everything you can charge on your American Express card?

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[quote=ClassCounsel]

I just read, with great interest, the posts by NASD Newbie.

Newbie:  Why the aggression toward us or what we're trying to do for you and why such distrust?  Are you actually a broker or part of some firm's management just watching this board?  What possible reason would you have to be offended by the fact that people are out here actually trying to change a corrupt system, particularly when it benefits you and your co-workers?

You can be as personally offensive as you wish and call us "whores" (although you don't even know us) but don't dissuade others who actually want legal help from seeking it; employers have done that for years and some of us are getting really tired of it.

[quote=ClassCounsel]

I just read, with great interest, the posts by NASD Newbie.

Newbie:  Why the aggression toward us or what we're trying to do for you and why such distrust?  Are you actually a broker or part of some firm's management just watching this board?  What possible reason would you have to be offended by the fact that people are out here actually trying to change a corrupt system, particularly when it benefits you and your co-workers?

You can be as personally offensive as you wish and call us "whores" (although you don't even know us) but don't dissuade others who actually want legal help from seeking it; employers have done that for years and some of us are getting really tired of it.

Or as Shakespeare wrote in Henry VI, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

I am truly amazed that there were enough losers to actually make it worthwhile for the worms to sue a single firm much less several of them.

[quote=ClassCounsel]

Believe me when I tell you that our goals here are only to get brokers paid for the long hours we know they work. It's really that simple.

Is that so? Then how about agreeing to take a flat fee, say, $50 a head for each broker instead of the 30% (minimum) cut of the blackmail, er, settlement proceeds? What's that? It isn't that simple anymore?

It may seem like a hassle to punch a time clock, but let's be serious; how much work is punching a time clock when you're then able to collect your overtime pay plus your commissions?

Tell me you're not that dimwitted. We aren't hourly employees because we don't want to be. We're paid on results, not hours required to attain them. We have great flexibility and earning potential because of that fact.

You're fully aware of what the end effect will be here. Some washouts (or soon to be) will get some small checks, you and your fellow whores will get massive checks and this industry will go from being an entrepreneurial opportunity to a salary.

[/quote]

[quote=ClassCounsel]

I should mention as well, that the scenario about being "locked out" of your office is quite unrealistic.  The goal of these cases is to alow you to keep your commissions, but ALSO get you overtime pay.  Why would naturally assume the company is being completely open with you and that anyone challanging them is "dirty?"  These are seasoned brokers filing these cases who are standing up for what's right, not gold-diggers looking for "get-rich-quick" schemes.

I can't believe you actually think the way you say you do.  I'm sure you're just having fun at our expense.  Whether I'm right or not, we're sorry to have upset you so by representing some of these clients.

[/quote]

I wish you would leave this industry alone.  We all know you are in it for yourself  $$$$$$ and not for any altruistic reason.  You realize that if the companies are forced to pay overtime the commission payout will be even further reduced.  Oh....wait you don't give a sh*t about that....just your own pocket and the short term results.

I am an independent contractor and want to keep it that way. I don't want to work for an hourly wage.   Been there and done that.  I want to work as many or as few hours as I feel like. If I can work for 30 minutes and make $5000 or if I have to work for 30 hours to make that same figure, then what do you care.  It is my choice.  No one has any of us chained to the desks.  We can quit anytime we like.  Butt the f*@K out.   And leave Wal Mart alone too.

If you want to do something constructive in the labor arena, make Banks stop hiring part time people who work 29 hours at a measly pay scale and then having them work overtime. By working less than 30 hours the banks don't have to pay benefits.  Unless it has changed in the last 10 years or less, the overtime didn't count towards qualifying for benefits.    How about jumping all over the banks for the salaried management positions.  No commissions and yet expected to work as many hours as it takes.

You are such a hypocrite 

[quote=babbling looney][quote=ClassCounsel]

I should mention as well, that the scenario about being "locked out" of your office is quite unrealistic.  The goal of these cases is to alow you to keep your commissions, but ALSO get you overtime pay.  Why would naturally assume the company is being completely open with you and that anyone challanging them is "dirty?"  These are seasoned brokers filing these cases who are standing up for what's right, not gold-diggers looking for "get-rich-quick" schemes.

I can't believe you actually think the way you say you do.  I'm sure you're just having fun at our expense.  Whether I'm right or not, we're sorry to have upset you so by representing some of these clients.

[/quote]

I wish you would leave this industry alone.  We all know you are in it for yourself  $$$$$$ and not for any altruistic reason.  You realize that if the companies are forced to pay overtime the commission payout will be even further reduced.  Oh....wait you don't give a sh*t about that....just your own pocket and the short term results.

I am an independent contractor and want to keep it that way. I don't want to work for an hourly wage.   Been there and done that.  I want to work as many or as few hours as I feel like. If I can work for 30 minutes and make $5000 or if I have to work for 30 hours to make that same figure, then what do you care.  It is my choice.  No one has any of us chained to the desks.  We can quit anytime we like.  Butt the f*@K out.   And leave Wal Mart alone too.

If you want to do something constructive in the labor arena, make Banks stop hiring part time people who work 29 hours at a measly pay scale and then having them work overtime. By working less than 30 hours the banks don't have to pay benefits.  Unless it has changed in the last 10 years or less, the overtime didn't count towards qualifying for benefits.    How about jumping all over the banks for the salaried management positions.  No commissions and yet expected to work as many hours as it takes.

You are such a hypocrite 

Counsellor, I think you made a big mistake when you presented your sleazy idea to this group.

Wall Street is circling the wagons--brokers will be warned that if they sign on for your shakedown they will be kissing their careers goodbye.

Why not go sue a McDonalds operator because his coffee was too hot or stand on a corner and wait for an accident?

Or better yet, start your car but forget to open the garage door.

[quote=mikebutler222]Tell me you're not that dimwitted. We aren't hourly employees because we don't want to be. We're paid on results, not hours required to attain them. We have great flexibility and earning potential because of that fact.[/quote]

Good point.  If overtime is an issue, and earning what some will view as "due to them" for working long hours in a, dare I say...COMMISSION-PAID INDUSTRY...scrap the commission idea and go work for a salary.  I'm sure, though, that some lawyer will come up with a way for salary paid professionals to also earn overtime.  Sure, everyone would love to work a 40 hour work week (those that typically work infinitely more hours, especially), but that's the nature of the beast.  In my opinion - advisors that don't like it can high-tail it out of the business and take their greedy attornies with them.

Well, it is evident that you few people do not understand what these cases are about.  That's too bad, because you're perpetuating ignorance in others by your unwillingness to get informed.

Also, you should understand that I am not suing anyone; other brokers are doing the suing, we just represent them, although it's funny that you target the lawyers.  As a former successful broker, I would also have not wanted my commissions taken away and would not be asking that this happen or that your so-called "flexibility" be taken away.  Let's face reality here though, you are salespeople, plain and simple, and it's not rocket-science to sell financial products.  Salespeople typically get paid an hourly wage (plus commissions on occassion, depending on the industry) in every state of the nation.  If you believe otherwise, read the law.  Why should you be special?  If you read the law and become knowledegable about this, it might make you feel weird to know your employer is lying to you.

Anyway, as opposed to the repeated personal attacks on the messenger (my office), focus on the facts and think about these specific questions.  If you do, you may understand why these other brokers are pioneers, not criminals.

How can we miss you if you don't go away?

You have accomplished something that is almost impossible--being less popular than a dose of clap and me at the same time.

Mr. Cole, you destroyed the careers of every currently registered broke who you, and your fellow whores, have enticed to join you as you sue the very hands that feed them.

Don't play word games with intelligent men and women--you are suing our employers and you are promising pie in the sky nonsense to some poor suckers who heard the siren song before the rest of us had a chance to warn them.

I suspect you are a Johnny Come Lately to the idea--but as you have been for your entire life, you're an hour late and a dollar short.

Please just take a hike--you're not welcome in society, polite or otherwise.

In reponse to the comment: "We aren't hourly employees because we don't want to be," that's not how it works.  You are not above the law, folks.  You cannot legally waive your right to be hourly employees and get overtime pay (and why the heck would you, when you can still get your commissions, unless you just hate money?).  You may have been convinced that there is some "prestige" in being salaried or commissioned; I've heard that line before.  However, Congress dicatte who is hourly or salaried, not the salespeople (brokers) or their corrupt employers.

Anyway, have your fun.  I won't write here any more.  I just wanted to get the word out about what's happening.  For the other peole on here who are paying attention and care, stay informed.  Your employers probably owe you overtime pay and cannot blacklist you or harass you for standing up for your legal rights.

Here's quote I think is fitting:  "To consent to evil against another, is to become an accomplice to the evil act itself."  -MLK, Jr.

Take care.

Let me see if I have this right.  A tort whore is calling A.G. Edwards and Sons a corrupt employer.

World-class chutzpah.

[quote=ClassCounsel]Salespeople typically get paid an hourly wage (plus commissions on occassion, depending on the industry) in every state of the nation.  If you believe otherwise, read the law.  Why should you be special?  If you read the law and become knowledegable about this, it might make you feel weird to know your employer is lying to you.[/quote]

I've never been an attorney before, so maybe I'm not in the loop.  When a BD has something in writing that this is a NON-SALARY position, how do the FAs have a leg to stand on.  Yes, in some industries, salespeople are paid a salary, but not largely in this business, and that is understood going in.  You reap the benefits of your hard work by earning what you put into it.

[quote=ClassCounsel].

Anyway, have your fun.  I won't write here any more.  I just wanted to get the word out about what's happening.  For the other peole on here who are paying attention and care, stay informed.  Your employers probably owe you overtime pay and cannot blacklist you or harass you for standing up for your legal rights.

[/quote]

Sure you can be blacklisted--very casually.  If you were working with me the first thing that would happen is all of the other branch managers in town would hear that you had sued us, and I was wondering what they would do if they were me.

Next I would stop giving you any help--you could come to work every day and do your deal, with absolutely no assistance.

I would add more work to your sales assistant and tell her that if she wanted to slow down on helping you in order to help the other guys she'd get no grief from me.

If your clients ever called me to complain I'd agree with them that you were a bit incompetent, but that I'd look into it.  Should you actually have a claim filed I would INSTANTLY tell our legal people to file the necessary paperwork to separate us from you as co-defendants.  I would explain that you were a rogue broker that I was having trouble with and knew it was just a matter of time.

I would paper your employment file with censures every chance I got. Show up late, you're going to sign a document saying you were warned to be on time.  Leave early and you're going to sign a document saying you were warned to stay till the end of the day.

I would change the locks on the door and give keys to everybody in the branch except you.  At 5:00 I would order you off the premises.

Nothing I would have done would be harrassment--just doing my job as the manager.

Only a fool would sue the hand that feeds them.

In reponse to the comment: “We aren’t hourly employees because we don’t want to be,” that’s not how it works.  You are not above the law, folks.  You cannot legally waive your right to be hourly employees and get overtime pay (and why the heck would you, when you can still get your commissions, unless you just hate money?).  You may have been convinced that there is some “prestige” in being salaried or commissioned; I’ve heard that line before.  However, Congress dicatte who is hourly or salaried, not the salespeople (brokers) or their corrupt employers

I am not an hourly employee. I haven't waived any such rights. I am an independent contractor.  There is no prestige, or any other such stupidity you are trying to wave past our noses, to being a contracted or commissioned employee.  It is purely a matter of choice on my part and I might add on the part of my  husband who has a separate business wherein he is also an independent contractor.

Common law principles further define independent contractor status by method of compensation. If a person is on an employer's payroll and receives a steady paycheck, clearly that the person is an employee rather than an independent contractor, who likely receives payment in a different manner. Other considerations when identifying someone as an independent contractor may include:

The above is a definition of independent contractor as opposed to an hourly employee.

There has been some discussion that because we, as registered advisors, are subject to rules that control our trades and other activities we "could" be classified as employees of our broker dealers because we have to submit certain paperwork and abide by a set of rules.  

These courts also use the "right to control" test. When the hiring party controls the way work is carried out and a product is delivered, the relationship between the parties is employer/employee. If an employer does not have authority over how a party accomplishes his or her work but simply give requests an outline, the relationship between the parties is that of hiring party/independent contractor.

 HOWEVER, since these rules are not those mandated by our broker dealers, but are instead mandated by the US Government, SEC and other regulatory entities, it could be construed that we are in fact employees of those entities and not the broker dealer who has no control over these rules.  If that is the case, then I demand my benefit package, health insurance and other perks that come with being a government employee.   If you can't get me those items, then bugger off.

[quote=ClassCounsel]

Well, it is evident that you few people do not understand what these cases are about.  That’s too bad, because you’re perpetuating ignorance in others by your unwillingness to get informed.

Also, you should understand that I am not suing anyone; other brokers are doing the suing, we just represent them, although it's funny that you target the lawyers.  As a former successful broker, I would also have not wanted my commissions taken away and would not be asking that this happen or that your so-called "flexibility" be taken away.  Let's face reality here though, you are salespeople, plain and simple, and it's not rocket-science to sell financial products.  Salespeople typically get paid an hourly wage (plus commissions on occassion, depending on the industry) in every state of the nation.  If you believe otherwise, read the law.  Why should you be special?  If you read the law and become knowledegable about this, it might make you feel weird to know your employer is lying to you.

Anyway, as opposed to the repeated personal attacks on the messenger (my office), focus on the facts and think about these specific questions.  If you do, you may understand why these other brokers are pioneers, not criminals.

NASD Newbie…read some of your posts here…Like it could “ruin your U-4.”  Are you an absolute idiot?  My dad was in this business for 30 years, until retiring in the early 90’s.  I have told him some of the ways the “business” oprerate now and he cringes.  The major firms are about the same as pimps and the brokers are the whores.  Who really gives a sh*t about your U-4 relating to this.  Your comments are comical if you are serious.

By the way folks, our friend ClassCounsel posted the following earlier in this thread:

"I am happy to talk to anyone interested in learning more about these cases or discussing their company's practices.  We're located on the web at www.scalaw.com or at (510) 891-9800

-Scott Cole, Esq.  ([email protected])"

Since Scott has been so kind to offer, I encourage all of you to call him Monday, say between 1-3 pm EST to learn more about these cases.  After all, lawyers make money on billable hours.  Plus, it will be harder for him to sue anyone if he's busy takiing phone calls.

So nice of him to help edumicate us lowly non-rocket science salesman types.  After all, we ain't that bright!  He's just trying to help!  Don't blame the messenger!  He's only representing the brokers who are actually the ones filing the lawsuits.  It's a public service!

If you don't have time to call, maybe send him a quick email.  He left that information for you too!

For your viewing pleasure-now you can look at this while you talk to Scott on the phone.  It'll be like one of 'em fancy video conferences!

Scott Edward Cole, President of Scott Cole & Associates, APC, originated the predecessor law firm in 1992 and has devoted the firm to employment law matters ever since. The excellence of Scott Cole & Associates, APC is embodied in Mr. Cole, who has dedicated himself and the firm’s resources to the representation of plaintiffs in employment class action matters and the leadership of lawyers in these and other forms of class action litigation.

Mr. Cole’s extensive experience prosecuting wage payment and other forms of class/complex actions, often as lead counsel among many firms, has not only established him as an outstanding advocate in his field but has identified him as a leader in his niche of the legal profession, highly respected by colleagues and opponents alike. The aggregate of Mr. Cole’s accomplishments is the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars to hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs nationwide and the correction of unlawful employment practices in companies of all sizes and in every industry imaginable.

Mr. Cole is a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law where he served as President of the Labor & Employment Law Society and San Francisco State University (B.A., Speech Communications: Individual Major in Rhetoric and Minor Study in Business Administration). He is a member of the California State Bar and the State Bar's Labor and Employment Law Section, is admitted to practice before the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern District Courts of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and has practiced before the Federal District Court of Nevada. Mr. Cole is a former member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (Series 7 Licensed), is a member/referral attorney for California's Animal Legal Defense Fund, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Synergy Center, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the California Employment Lawyers Association. Finally, Mr. Cole has authored various scholarly publications on issues surrounding employment law and class action procedure.