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 is an expert in all aspects of California employment law. She serves as outside employment counsel to auto dealer groups and aids clients to stay in compliance with ever-changing state and federal laws, including termination and onboarding issues. She also litigates and arbitrates a broad range of disputes, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and trade secret matters.

Arden Burstein is a Principal in the Consumer Law Department at Scali Rasmussen, where she leverages extensive experience in automotive litigation to provide strategic, in-house counsel-style solutions for her clients.

Ryan’s practice focuses on general business litigation and labor and employment law. He represents a variety of clients in a wide range of business disputes. Ryan also defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour litigation. He is an experienced trial attorney who has obtained favorable results for his clients at trial, arbitration, and mediation.

Jose has represented employers in all types of employment litigation, including sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. He also has vast experience in the area of wage and hour class actions and representative lawsuits brought under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

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.

Ani is an Associate that focuses mainly on transactional matters. Prior to joining Scali Rasmussen, Ani advised corporate clients on regulatory requirements, ranging from the Securities and Exchange Commission to Federal Trade Commission. She also supported cross-border and international transactions and filings with her data privacy and cybersecurity law knowledge.

Greg Agron is an Associate in Scali Rasmussen’s Labor & Employment Law Department. Prior to joining Scali Rasmussen, he worked on matters including wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment for Fortune 500 entertainment companies. Greg handled wage and hour and PAGA class action cases and drafted anti-SLAPP motions.