Christian Scali has a diverse automotive industry practice that includes advice and counsel and complex and high stakes litigation, involving franchise disputes, lender liability, reinsurance and flooring disputes, consumer finance, consumer and wage and hour class actions, high stakes employment litigation, trade secret misappropriation and corporate shareholder and partnership disputes. Mr. Scali is known throughout the state of California for his work on behalf of the retail automotive industry in a series of advertising lawsuits brought against it under California’s Unfair Competition Law. He also regularly assists auto dealers and auto dealer groups with their mergers and acquisitions. In 2018, the Los Angeles Business Journal named him a Top Litigator in Los Angeles.

Halbert (Bert) Rasmussen has extensive experience representing car, truck, bus, and motorcycle dealers in most legal issues they face. Bert represents clients in franchise disputes (including New Motor Vehicle Board Protests) as well as in business transactions, such as dealer buy-sells. Bert also defends clients when they are accused of violating regulatory requirements, and helps them with policies and procedures to achieve regulatory compliance. Bert’s experience also extends to negotiating dealer agreements with manufacturers, realty owners and lenders as well as mergers and acquisitions, and consumer and business litigation.

A well-rounded, veteran litigator and advocate for the automotive industry and financial services companies, John Swenson uses the most efficient and effective litigation strategies and techniques to reduce the costs, disruptions and risks of resolving business disputes. John has an extensive record of countering and neutralizing attacks by members of the plaintiffs’ bar against auto dealerships and by bounty hunters who bring Proposition 65 litigation against retailers and manufacturers of consumer products.

Jeffrey Erdman is a senior litigation and trial attorney with nearly 25 years of litigation experience practicing in both the state and federal courts of California. Jeffrey has extensive courtroom and trial experience, both as plaintiff’s counsel and as defense counsel, and successfully argued cases before the California Court of Appeal. Jeffrey’s litigation experience spans many areas of business, including the insurance, manufacturing and service industries, as well as all variety of real estate disputes.

Julie Pearson’s practice areas for the firm include automotive law, business law and complex litigation. Ms. Pearson’s experience in civil litigation matters for the past 25 years brings our clients specialized attention to their issues.

Eric Weiss’ practice areas for the firm include automotive law, employment law, business law, toxic tort law, products liability law, and complex litigation. Prior to joining Scali Rasmussen, Eric spent 23 years at Murchison & Cumming, LLP, including the last 15 years as a Partner.

Jasmin maintains a regulatory and litigation practice primarily focused on labor and employment law. She provides advice and counsel to clients on compliance with state and federal employment laws, including termination and on-boarding issues. She also represents businesses in a broad range of disputes, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and trade secret matters.

Jennifer Burns has worked for clients in numerous capacities, including as in-house counsel, Human Resources management, compliance/risk management, and as outside counsel in both the advising role and litigation. She has represented clients in diverse industries, and has extensive experience in employment compliance matters for auto dealerships. This broad background provides her with a multi-faceted perspective and understanding of the practical realities of implementing compliance measures. Jennifer was recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the Most Influential Women Attorneys in both 2018 and 2020.

Janae L. Hill is an Associate in Scali Rasmussen’s Litigation practice. She has experience in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including consumer protection, contract disputes, real estate, and personal injury.

Arevik is an Associate in Scali Rasmussen’s Litigation Department. She practices in the areas of labor and employment law, complex litigation, and automotive law. Prior to joining Scali Rasmussen, she worked on class actions and complex commercial litigation, assisting with multiple trials for high-profile clients and providing appellate preservation support.