Lock, Melissa

Our firm handles legal matters in the following practice areas: general business litigation, business contracts, employment law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, civil rights, constitutional law, personal injury, real estate, insurance bad faith, unfair competition, alternative dispute resolution.

We are able to provide legal representation of high quality in a variety of areas because we focus on subjects of interest, and we do not try to be "all things to all people." For example, in the general field of employment law David Lipson concentrates specifically on certain types of claims:

• Retaliation and whistle-blower claims;
• Claims of employer's violation of public policy;
• Employment discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, religion, and disability;
• Sexual and racial harassment;
• Claims of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets or other confidential information, and breach of loyalty or fiduciary duty;
• Counseling and drafting of employment and separation agreements.

David Lipson's approach to legal fees is different from that of many law firms. He handles plaintiffs' cases on a contingent fee basis where success in litigation appears reasonably probable. He may represent plaintiffs in other cases on the basis of a "blended" rate (a combination of a reduced contingency percentage and a reduced hourly rate). Where he defends cases, or does contractual or transactional work, he bills on an hourly basis, but excludes time that does not provide value to the client. In other words, if a case, or a contract, suggests several legal theories or issues, but research on only one or two proves to be relevant, we bill only for the relevant time.

Since David Lipson has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in his areas of practice, and has legal experience both inside a major corporation and as outside counsel, he is also able to be more effective and efficient by anticipating the other side's perspective. Whatever the billing arrangement, our consistent approach to litigation, transactions, and counseling is to constantly ask the fundamental question: What result will best serve the client's interests, and what is the most cost-effective way to achieve it?

David Lipson was educated at Harvard Law School and Stanford University, where he received a B.A. with Great Distinction. He was a law clerk for Justice Raymond Sullivan of the Supreme Court of California and for Judge Stanley Weigel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. As to his experience, David Lipson is well versed in the courtroom, both at the trial level and on appeal, but at the same time he has a substantial background in alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as mediation, to obtain cost-effective outcomes. In all these respects, whether in the courtroom, in case negotiations, or in transactions, David Lipson brings the highest standards of professional ethics to his role as attorney and counselor at law.