Hinkel, Mark J.

Past Case Highlights:

Scott v. County of Los Angeles , represented Estate of Donald Scott in federal civil rights lawsuit against law enforcement officials from the County of Los Angeles and federal government which resulted in a $5 million settlement paid to the plaintiffs for death of Malibu rancher killed during police raid.

Sanders v. New York State Department of Correctional Services, County of Los Angeles et al., represented mentally disabled Los Angeles resident who was wrongfully imprisoned for over two years in New York State prison system. Case resulted in settlements of over $3.5 million against New York State and County of Los Angeles and published Ninth Circuit opinion.

Jenkins v. Archdiocese of Los Angeles Education and Welfare Corporation et al. Won summary judgment on behalf of blind school teacher in case under Americans With Disabilities Act where school failed to renew Plaintiff's contract after 14 years of exemplary service. The District Court held that Defendants' course of action is a disturbing example of an employer's blatant failure to engage in the interactive process envisioned by the ADA.

Olu Orange v. Count of Orange. Won verdict in favor of a former deputy public defender where a federal jury determined that Plaintiff was wrongfully terminated by the Orange County Public Defender's Office in violation of his First Amendment rights.

Wasserman v. The Pampered Chef et al. Represented 57 year old woman in a products liability action against manufacturer and distributor of ceramic bake pan who cut her finger and developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) (a debilitating nerve disorder) when the pan broke the first time it was used. Case resulted in $2.6 million settlement on behalf of Plaintiff.

Garcia v. City of Los Angeles, represented family who alleged civil rights were violated by Park Rangers Case resulted in settlement of $335,000 and pledge to improve training for Park Rangers to conform to statewide peace officer standards.

Current case highlights:

Rauda-Puebla v. City of Los Angeles, et al. Presently representing parents of a 16 year old girl in a federal civil rights action. The Plaintiffs contend that their daughter was killed as a result of the malfeasance of Los Angeles Police Detectives, who falsely informed a murder suspect that their daughter had identified him in a photo line up. As a result, the gang member order a hit on their daughter, who was murdered in front of her home.

Mirmehdi v.Ashcroft, et al. Presently representing four Iranian brothers who were wrongfully held in detention for 41 months based on false allegations that they belonged to a terrorist group.

Publications:

Punishing Pundits: People v. Dyleski and the Gag Order as Prior Restraint in High-Profile Cases LOYOLA OF LOS ANGELES LAW REVIEW 2007[Vol. 39:1195] (co-authored with Paul Hoffman)