About the Firm

Firm Background

"Our quality service and assertive representation distinguishes us from our competition." Paul Q. Goyette

Goyette & Associates, Inc., relies upon the unique experience of its lawyers and labor representatives to deliver the most effective representation to its clients, meeting the highest standards of integrity and client service.  The attorneys of Goyette & Associates, Inc., understand how the law impacts you and your organization.  Each attorney and staff member at the Firm is dedicated to providing aggressive and thorough representation, with the singular goal of protecting and magnifying the interests of each client.  The Firm regularly teaches organizations and individuals how to avoid and prevent legal problems before they become expensive and invasive lawsuits.  Creative, cost effective methods of representation are key to the Firm’s success in a variety of practice areas.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., provides a full scope of legal services for labor and employment matters, including representation of unions such as peace officer and firefighter organizations, litigation of personal injury and wage and hour claims for individual employees.  For wage claims based on violations of both the FLSA and California wage law, our lawyers represent both individuals and classes of employees to recover overtime pay (for both nonexempt and misclassified exempt workers), prevailing wages, wages for missed meal and rest periods, and civil penalties.  For unions, the Firm routinely handles collective bargaining and represents employees in disciplinary appeals.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., delivers the finest legal representation available.  To fulfill this commitment, the Firm pledges to keep each of our clients informed and to address each one’s needs professionally.  This is the foundation upon which the Firm has built its reputation.  In order to serve our clients statewide, we have offices in Sacramento, Modesto, Redding and Newport Beach.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., relies upon the unique experience of its lawyers and labor representatives to deliver the most effective representation to its clients, meeting the highest standards of integrity and client service. The attorneys of Goyette & Associates, Inc., understand how the law impacts you and your organization. Each attorney and staff member at the Firm is dedicated to providing aggressive and thorough representation, with the singular goal of protecting and magnifying the interests of each client.

Attorneys

Paul Goyette

Paul is an entrepreneur, trial lawyer, business builder and visionary. Paul is the founder and managing partner of the law firm of Goyette & Associates, Inc. Paul is also the founder and managing partner of RN Guardian Inc., which is a prepaid legal plan representing California Registered Nurses.

Paul is one of the preeminent trial lawyers in California and is currently enjoying a lengthy winning streak dating from 1995. Paul serves as lead trial counsel, both criminal and civil matters in both State and Federal court.

Paul began his legal career in 1998 representing public safety employees while working for the law firm of Silver, Hadden & Silver in Los Angeles. Paul worked closely with his mentor and close friend, Stephen H. Silver and Susan Silver. In 1991 Paul relocated to Northern California and founded Goyette & Associates Inc. (G&A). G&A has grown and now has offices in Sacramento, Modesto, Redding and Newport Beach. G&A represents over 125 institutional clients throughout California including public sector employee organizations as well as small and medium sized businesses. G&A has thriving departments in class action and complex litigation, business litigation, criminal defense litigation, estate planning, plaintiff’s personal injury, writs and appeals, and labor and employment matters.

Paul is an expert trial lawyer. G&A has assembled a unique team of lawyers and other specialists to give its clients the greatest opportunity for success. G&A employs a relentless and creative approach to obtaining favorable trial results for its clients. When it is extremely important to win trials, clients turn to G&A.

Paul is the founder and managing partner of RN Guardian Inc., which provides consulting and legal representation to California Registered Nurses. RN Guardian is a pre-paid legal plan that provides affordable and proactive representation to try and keep California RNs employed, working and productive. The day to day operations of RN Guardian are overseen by G&A Chief of Staff, Jennifer Coalson-Perez.

Paul’s best asset is the ability to assemble a unique team of professionals who are allowed and encouraged to work in their area of expertise to provide the highest quality service to G&A clients through aggressive and uncompromising representation. One of the cornerstone principles that G&A was founded upon is the simple concept of returning a phone call. It is amazing how many lawyers simply do not return phone calls in a timely manner. It's generally because most lawyers serve as an example of the worst business people operating in any industry. The clients are the customers and deserve immediate attention.

Most recently, Paul has worked with other experts to develop a comprehensive internet marketing program for all of his businesses. Visit us online at the following locations: www.rnguardian.com, follow goyetteandassoc on Twitter and find Paul and the Goyette team on Facebook!

Education/Associations
Bachelor of Science, Forestry, California State University, Humboldt, Arcata, CA; Juris Doctor, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, admitted to the California State Bar 1988, State Bar No. 137250; admitted to the United States District Court of the Eastern District of California and the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.

Gary G. Goyette

Gary leads the Goyette & Associates complex litigation division focusing on wage and hour class action and wage-related litigation of all types. With extensive knowledge of both California Wage Law and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Gary has had numerous successes in both class action and traditional civil action lawsuits, including the litigation and settlement of a large prevailing wage class action for tugboat employees, litigation and settlement of a large class action against several investment banking companies for mis-classified employees, litigation through trial and settlement of unequal pay claims for female public employees and a variety of other class actions and civil actions seeking overtime pay, commission pay, pay for missed meal and rest periods and monetary damages for various state wage law and federal wage law violations. (See Wage and Hour Victories)

Gary has managed wage and hour cases to enforce clearly established areas of state and federal wage law, as well as litigating cases involving undecided areas of law. Class actions, civil actions, and complaints through the California Labor Commissioner have been undertaken to help determine the proper scope of public works/prevailing wage law in California, to help determine the limitations on federal wage law over state wage law for Maritime employees, to ascertain which areas of state wage law apply to public employees, and to clarify the overtime pay requirements for commissioned based employees.

Area currently managing:
Multiple large class actions covering peace officers which seek overtime compensation for pre and post shift time spent donning, doffing and performing other associated tasks which required uniforms and protective gear. While the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal will provide clarification on the federal wage law for donning and doffing cases, so far Gary’s cases have helped form the FLSA law at the District Court level for donning and doffing applicable to peace officers.

In addition to litigating and managing wage and hour class actions and individual cases, Gary has worked successfully in other types of civil litigation, including civil actions and Petitions for Writ of Mandate to obtain declaratory and injunctive relief for unions and public employees based on the obligations for public employers, as well as a variety of other civil litigation involving the rights of public employees. In addition, Gary handles private sector civil litigation and other representation of businesses involving a variety of matters affecting employers and commercial businesses. Private sector representation includes defense of sexual harassment, retaliation, and/or discrimination lawsuits and claims, enforcement of contracts and other litigation seeking debt owed and other issues affecting businesses such as leasing and property disputes.

Overall, Gary’s extensive knowledge of federal and state wage law, his experience with class action matters and his acute attention to detail enable him to manage other Goyette & Associate attorneys to aggressively pursue class action and other litigation leading to successful outcomes.

Education/ Associations
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley; J.D. Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York

Bar Admissions
State Bar of California. U.S. District Courts of the Eastern District, Northern District and Central District in California.

Stephen V. Palazzo, Esq.

Steve is an extraordinarily valuable member of the G&A team. Steve works primarily in G&A’s Labor Department where he represents peace officers, firefighters, other public safety employees and non-safety employees in a wide range of labor matters ranging from simple grievances or Internal Affairs investigations to complex, multilayered criminal misconduct investigations. Steve has also worked in G&A’s Litigation Department assisting on cases that affect our employees or employee organizations. He has extensive experience in representing correctional officers, correctional supervisors, and public safety employees in critical incidents, Internal Affairs investigations, administrative appeals following the imposition of discipline and employment termination.

Steve also works extensively with G&A’s institutional clients in particular G&A’s public sector employee organizations. Steve has the skills, experience and ability to guide G&A’s Associations with some of the most tricky labor relations issues.

Steve has a unique ability to develop confident relationships with his clients almost immediately. From there, Steve is able to provide the most comprehensive and aggressive representation available to ensure his clients get the best possible result. Steve is a committed member to the Goyette & Associates, Inc., team and is invaluable in helping the G&A team reach its goals.

Steve’s abilities are based on his extensive experience most notably his work at the Conflict Public Defender’s Office in Sacramento where Steve learned early on about the litigation process and client relations.

Education/Associations
B.A. in Political Science, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; J.D. with concentration in Trial Advocacy, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law; admitted to California State Bar in 2004, license number 237330; admitted to the Northern, Central and Eastern Districts of the Federal Court.

Daniel P. Thompson, Esq.

As an associate attorney, Daniel P. Thompson, Esq. works within Goyette & Associates labor, employment and civil litigation practice areas. Dan represents peace officers, medical personnel and firefighters all across the state of California and serves as a panel attorney for the California Correctional Supervisors Organization and the Legal Defense Fund.

Dan’s primary focus is on employment disciplinary matters, grievances, Skelly hearings and administrative appeals. He has developed a unique and dynamic philosophy to how he approaches each case resulting in numerous successful appeals and settlements. Dan believes that win, lose, or draw, each client must be happy with the representation he provided at the end of each case.

In addition to representing individual clients, Dan maintains strong relationships with the leadership of many of the employee associations Goyette and Associates represents. By incorporating his 'big picture representation' philosophy, Dan strives to be aware of the current political climates, politics and personalities that are critical to each association’s representation needs and interests.

In addition to his administrative appeal work, Dan also responds to critical/protocol incidents and is a member of the firm's Complex Legal section with a focus on collective action cases on behalf of peace officer associations.

Dan has been working in the legal field since 2000 when he started his own company providing paralegal services to sole practitioners on a contract basis. Since that time, he has worked in a variety of legal capacities and practice areas providing him with a unique and well rounded skill set to apply to each case. He brings this diverse background to Goyette & Associates which enables him to effectively and efficiently represent each client.

Dan and his wife Angela live in East Sacramento where they recently bought a house and started a family.

Education/Associations
J.D., Oak Brook College of Law, Fresno, California; California Bar Association, License Number 244812; admitted to United States District Court of Eastern District, Central District and Northern District of California.

Rafael Ruano

Rafael Ruano is the Managing Associate for our Estate and Business Planning area of practice. In order to meet each client’s needs, Rafael takes an individualized approach by meeting with each client, determining each client’s goals and wishes, explaining estate planning concepts and discussing options. Each client’s estate and/or business plan is personally tailored to best meet the client’s unique legal, financial, tax and personal needs and goals.

Apart from Rafael’s expertise in estate and business planning, he has a varied background in civil litigation and corporate law representing small to mid-sized businesses in contract, real estate, employment and business planning matters. This background helps Rafael approach estate planning issues with a uniquely broad perspective that helps ensure that a client’s estate plan works well alongside any type of business entity, be it sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.

Rafael is fluent in Spanish. When not working, Rafael enjoys time with his wife and two sons. He is also an accomplished and nationally rated water polo coach with the American River Water Polo Club and USA Water Polo.

Education/Associations
Stanford University, B.A. International Relations; J.D. University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, CA; With Distinction, Concentration in Tax; U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California; Member, Sacramento Estate Planning Council; Board Member, YMCA of Greater Sacramento; California Bar Association, License # 238905.

Lauro A. Paredes, Esq.

Lauro brings a wealth of experience in government relations and legislative advocacy to Goyette & Associates, Inc. He works primarily in the Labor and Employment and Litigation divisions specializing in representing police and correctional officers, city, county and State workers. Lauro is a former award-winning educator who works with each client individually to help craft a personalized representation strategy.

Prior to joining Goyette & Associates, Inc., Lauro ran state-wide political campaigns, was a legislative aid and district representative in the California State Senate, as well as working for the Tulare County District Attorney’s office and the City of Sacramento City Attorney’s office. Lauro uses his experience and expertise to represent clients in all aspects of labor law from critical incident advisement, to internal affairs interviews, through arbitration and civil actions, to criminal hearings.

Lauro is fluent in Spanish. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, traveling and is an accomplished tennis player and former tennis coach.

Education/Associations
B.A. Political Science, University of California, Berkeley; J.D., University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law; California Bar Association, License Number 254663.

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Joy C. Rosenquist

Joy is the lead attorney at Goyette & Associates, Inc., for civil litigation involving employment matters. She supervises and handles traditional civil actions as well as other litigation (such as Petitions for Writ of Mandate) involving statutory interpretation, discrimination and other labor and employment issues applicable to peace officers and other public employees. The issues covered by the cases handled by Joy include enforcement of sections of the Govenment Code and other statutes against the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the State Department of Personnel Administration (DPA), and other state and local agencies to protect the due process, wages, benefits, and other rights of public employees. Public employees sought to be protected by this litigation include members of the California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO) and members of local unions employed by various counties and cities. At the Firm, Joy also handles employment litigation for private sector employees, as well as employment law and commercial litigation matters for businesses.

Joy has extensive civil litigation experience, including work on wage and hour litigation, employment law matters, and business litigation. In her past practice, Joy has represented employers in defending wrongful termination and sexual harassment claims, in addition to labor and civil code violations. She has successfully represented employees, both individually and as a class, in seeking redress for violations of the labor code, wrongful termination, equal pay act, and other important public policy matters. Joy has handled such matters from client intake through appellate litigation.

She previously spearheaded a large class action suit seeking improperly withheld overtime pay for private employees working more than eight hours per shift, and who were misclassified as exempt from California’s overtime law and helped achieve a multi-million dollar recovery in settlement of this class action for unpaid overtime, obtained reclassification for said employees, sought court approval and oversaw disbursement related issues, including post-recovery litigation relating to class notification of rights and benefits.

Prior to joining the Firm, Joy was associated with Sacramento-region firms. She brings experience in business litigation, intellectual property, trade secret, real estate and business consultation matters.

Education/Associations
B.A. in Political Science, University of California, Davis; J.D., McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento; admitted to State Bar of California, U.S. District Court of the Eastern, Northern and Central Districts of California; Board member of Women Lawyers of Sacramento; Member of the Sacramento Human Resources Association, Sacramento County Bar Association, Placer County Bar Association.

Presentations/Seminars
Judge for UC Davis Moot Court competitions; conducts Sexual Harassment training seminars for supervisors; guest lecturer at Elk Grove High School on the topic of: Structure of Judicial System and Free Speech Rights.

Francesca Gianuario

Francesca Gianuario is an experienced civil litigator who works both on Goyette & Associates wage & hour litigation cases as well as civil litigation pertaining to union & public employee matters.

She is primarily interested in advocating for the rights of the underdog in unique or tough to win cases. Her history is in the area of civil litigation including: civil and employment rights, commercial and private premises liability, wage and hour related cases, personal injury, and construction defect. She has also dabbled in the areas of bankruptcy, family, and contract law. Her top priorities are keeping her clients informed and listening to their concerns.

Education/Associations
She is an active volunteer with Amnesty International, ACORN, and Habitat for Humanity. She earned a degree in English from UC Berkeley, has taken courses in the Master’s Program in Creative Writing from S.F. State, and received her J.D. from Lincoln Law School in Sacramento where she won Best Oral Argument in Moot Court and was the editor and writer for the school’s law review. She began practicing law in 2006.

John C. McCaslin

John is a litigation attorney with Goyette & Associates handling wage & hour and general civil litigation matters. His primary focus is representing law-enforcement unions in class-action lawsuits in state and federal courts based on violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and extends to representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in general employment and civil litigation matters.

An experienced litigator, John has represented individuals and businesses in employment, construction, corporate and real estate related lawsuits. John has a business background as the former owner and broker of a real estate company specializing in lending, and residential and commercial investments and sales.

Education/Associations
John earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association, the Associate of Business Trial Lawyers, and is licensed to practice law in the State Courts of California, the Central and Southern California District Courts, and the Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the Federal Circuit.

Mark R. Swartz, Esq.

Mark R. Swartz, Of Counsel to Goyette & Associates, Inc., is dedicated solely to helping those who have been harmed or injured by the wrongful acts of others due to motor vehicle collisions, falls, defective products, work-related injuries, construction accidents, dangerous conditions of public property, denials of insurance coverage, and sexual harassment.

Mark’s career began as a Deputy District Attorney with the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked from 1985 to 1990. He continued with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office until 1997. Since 1997, he has exclusively specialized in plaintiff’s personal injury cases. Over the past 20 years, he has tried over 100 jury trials to verdict, including over 20 murder trials.

Mark personally handles every case and each receives his full attention. Cases are not handed off to an associate or a paralegal. His goal is to achieve full and fair compensation for every client, depending upon the nature of the injury and the degree of defendant’s liability.

Education/Associations
University of California, Santa Barbara, graduated in 1980 with highest honors in philosophy and political science; University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, J.D., 1985; member of the State Bar of California, Sacramento County Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, Arbitrator for Sacramento and El Dorado Counties, listed in "Who’s Who" and "The Best Lawyers Consumer Guide."

Chief of Staff

Jennifer Coalson-Perez

Jennifer is the Gold River Office Chief of Staff, Executive Assistant to Paul Q. Goyette and Marketing and Promotions Director of the Firm and Goyette and Associates= other endeavors, including RN Guardian and the Training and Education Seminar Series. Jennifer is an integral component of the Firm, as she gauges and assigns case work based on Goyette & Associates unique team approach to representation and ensures that our clients receive the best attorney or labor representative tailored to their specific needs. Jennifer works side by side with Paul devising marketing strategies, inter-industry coalition building, client development and G&A team building and refining. Jennifer has a diverse background in marketing, event planning and coordination, including a position as an independently contracted consultant for a national trade show company. She also spent years with the California State Legislature working on campaigns, as a constituent liaison, legislative aide and as an assistant and writer in the Caucus Press Office.

Education
B. A. English Literature, California State University, Sacramento, California

Contact via email: jennifer@goyette-assoc.com

Labor Representatives

Steve Allen

Steve is a labor negotiator with the Firm who has specialized in law enforcement representation for 30 years. He attained a Bachelor of Science from CSU, Sacramento in Business Administration and a Labor Relations certificate from UC Davis. In addition to working for Goyette & Associates, Inc., for many years, Steve has worked as a labor negotiator for PORAC, the law firm of Abinanti and Shields, Employee Representation Services, Inc. (as owner), Labor Associates, Inc. (as owner) and is concurrently a staff labor negotiator for the Laborer’s International Union of North America, Local 792, AFL-CIO.

Steve is widely known as one of the most experienced and competent negotiators in California public sector labor relations and specializes in resolving difficult impasse campaigns. He has negotiated contracts for union and employee associations in the following arenas: City, County, Courts, State of California, State of Nevada, Federal, Newspaper, Water District and Electric District.

In addition to negotiating hundreds of labor contracts, Steve is experienced in grievance handling, discipline appeals, mediation, arbitration, fact-finding, critical incident representation, internal affairs, political action and community action campaigns.

Steve is married to Debbie (an ex-police officer), his wife of 25 years, and has one daughter. The family lives in Redding which is the center for his Northern California work area.

Contact via email: steveallen@charterinternet.com

Paul Konsdorf

Paul has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He worked as a full time Police Officer for the City of Modesto, California, where he was elected President of the POA by his peers. During this time, Paul gained valuable knowledge and understanding of the needs and challenges of his fellow officers. He also formed the foundation upon which a docile POA evolved into a highly active and well respected police officers’ association.

Due to his demonstrated leadership skills, Paul was recruited by a labor union to work as a business agent, specializing in representation of law enforcement personnel. After Paul was promoted to Assistant Director of Public Employees for the Union, he decided he could best serve police officers by joining the professional offices of Goyette & Associates, Inc.

Over the past fifteen years, Paul has represented over one thousand police officers in hundreds of IA’s. Furthermore, he has successfully negotiated almost a hundred contracts, including complex issues such as 3% @ 50 retirement, retiree health care, compressed work schedules (ie: 4-10, 3-12 or 4-11) , agency shop, binding arbitration, and 4 hour AM/PM court pay. Paul also teaches a popular Basic Academy POST certified, 8 hour course entitled, “Career Survival”. Paul developed this course to educate academy students on the why and how, to make it through IA’s, discipline, or critical incidents, such as officer involved shootings, which these new officers may encounter throughout their law enforcement careers.

Don’t be surprised if you find Paul in uniform. He still works the streets as a Designated Level I Reserve Deputy for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

Education
B.A. in Criminal Justice, California State University, Sacramento.

Contact via email: kdorf@goyette-assoc.com

Luciano Beltran

Luce began his law enforcement career as a military police officer in 1972, and continued it as a police officer in the California communities of Atwater, Oakdale, and Modesto. Luce brings his 13 years of experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing employees in investigations and disciplinary proceedings, and handling union affairs to the firm. Luce also served as Secretary to the Valley Chapter of the Peace Officers’ Research Association of California. Before joining Goyette & Associates, Inc., Luce was a Labor Representative with Operating Engineers, Local No. 3.

Education
A.A. in Police Science, Merced College; B.S. in Criminology, Fresno State University.

Contact via email: lbeltran@goyette-assoc.com

Kim Gillingham

Kim has over 20 years of public sector experience working in both finance and environmental compliance departments. She spent over 17 years as an Association representative serving multiple terms as President, Vice President and Chief Negotiator. Kim completed the Labor Relations Certification Program at UC Davis.

In 2004, Kim was recruited by Paul Goyette to work as a Labor Representative. Between her work as an Association representative and her tenure with Goyette and Associates, she has negotiated dozens of contracts and represented hundreds of employees in administrative interviews and the disciplinary appeals process. In addition she is experienced in mediation, arbitration, grievance handling and political action campaigns.

Contact via email: kim@goyette-assoc.com

Richard Burruss

Richard Burruss retired as a Police Lieutenant after 24 years combined service with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Livermore (California) Police Department. He graduated from the University of San Francisco, earning a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration. Additionally, Rick is a graduate of the 141st Session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

During his law enforcement career, Rick served as the Livermore Police Officers’ Association President, published several articles in the CPOA magazine and was an active member of both PORAC and RPORAC. After retiring from law enforcement, Rick worked as a Business Representative with an international labor union for 11 years, serving police, public works, collective bargaining, arbitration proceedings and retirement/benefit issues.

Recently, Rick was on a fly fishing and golfing expedition. After losing many of the 'big' fish and most of the 'little' golf balls, he decided it was time to return to the "real world" of labor relations. Goyette & Associates, Inc., is pleased to have him as part of our team.

Contact via email: rburruss@comcast.net

David French

Dave French brings over 10 years experience as a labor representative with a focus on representing associations in complicated contract negotiations.

Dave is recognized in the labor industry as a leader in complex negotiations, contract and labor matters and regularly presents as an instructor with PORAC. Dave works on limited matters for Goyette & Associates, Inc., as a specialist in negotiations and complex labor issues.

Contact via email: davidcfrench1106@aol.com

Paul Heckman

Paul Heckman joins Goyette & Associates, Inc., after 30 years in law enforcement. An experienced association representative and former president, Paul specializes in issues concerning law enforcement associations in Shasta County.

Contact via email: pgheck@aol.com

Practice Areas

Labor and Employment

Representing employees, unions, and management in the public employment sector is Goyette & Associates’ flagship practice.  We routinely handle all phases of the collective bargaining process, internal investigations, disciplinary actions and appeals, union recognition or modification, administrative law and actions before the Public Employment Relations Board.

We provide association and employee representation for a multitude of work related issues through grievances, through the meet and confer process, and through administrative appeals. Many of our clients are state and local peace officer and fire fighter labor organizations.  As shown by the example cases described under "G & A Trial Outcomes" on our blog, Goyette & Associates, Inc., has an extraordinary record of effective and aggressive representation of employees, resulting in unwarranted and unjustified discipline being set aside.

Wage & Hour

Goyette & Associates, Inc., handles all types of wage & hour disputes, representing both ‘blue collar’ hourly employees and ‘white collar’ salaried professionals in cases that range from individual claims to class action lawsuits.  The firm represents hourly nonexempt employees who are working more than eight hours per day or forty hours per week without receiving overtime pay, or who are being forced to work ‘off-the-clock’ or are being denied prevailing wages.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., also represents salaried employees who have been misclassified as exempt from wage laws, and are being denied properly earned overtime pay, meal periods, and rest periods.

The firm provides effective representation for both the individual employee and for groups of similarly situated employees.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., has successfully filed and managed class action lawsuits to recover overtime pay for employees working for both large corporations and public entities.  The attorneys are skilled at assisting with filing complaints and defending appeals for matters heard by the Labor Commissioner, as well as being skilled at bringing and litigating civil actions to recover overtime pay (both time and a half and double time damages), interest, and civil penalties.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., is experienced in the application and interpretation of all labor and employment laws related to wage and hour claims, including the federal FLSA law, California state wage laws set forth in the California Labor Code (including the new ’sue your boss’ law to recover civil penalties), and all the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders and associated regulations.  Remember, our office can represent you in a cost effective manner because, if we prevail in a wage claim trial, the law makes the employer pay for part or all of the plaintiff’s attorneys fees.

The attorneys and staff throughout Northern California in Sacramento, Modesto, and Redding promise aggressive representation to maximize the amount of improperly denied wages and other damages that can be recovered.

Litigation

Employment Litigation

Having represented both public and private employees, as well as private employers, in matters involving virtually every aspect of labor law, the attorneys and staff of Goyette & Associates, Inc., are able to provide skilled and aggressive representation either to bring claims for employees and/or to defend actions against employers.  Employment litigation brought or defended by the firm includes claims for wrongful or constructive termination, discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, or disability, retaliation, harassment, and violations of medical leave and/or pregnancy laws.

Individual employees in California who are subject to illegal withholding of wages and overtime (see the Wage & Hour Litigation practice page on this web site) or are subject to investigations that could affect their professional licenses can depend on the firm for competent and aggressive representation.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., attorneys are experienced and skilled at the administrative defense of licensed professionals, including the representation of Registered Nurses subject to investigations and/or enforcement actions by the Board of Registered Nursing.

In addition, Goyette & Associates, Inc., provides consultation services to help avoid costly litigation, including providing employee manuals, policies, and training for businesses, as well as providing negotiation services for employees.  The ongoing labor law issues that are constantly faced by employers and employees can be professionally addressed, analyzed and resolved with the help of Goyette & Associates, Inc., attorneys and staff.

Commercial Litigation

Goyette & Associates, Inc., handles the many business-related matters that companies or individuals may be faced with, including breach of contract and debt collection.  These matters are resolved whenever possible by negotiation and when necessary, by litigation.  The Firm relies upon the unique experience of its lawyers to deliver the most effective commercial litigation representation to its clients, meeting the highest standards of integrity and client service.

The attorneys and staff of Goyette & Associates, Inc., understand how the law impacts your business.  Each attorney and staff member at the Firm is dedicated to providing aggressive and thorough representation, with the singular goal of protecting and magnifying the interests of each client.  Goyette & Associates, Inc., pledges to keep each of our clients informed and to address your needs professionally, so that all business concerns are handled promptly and effectively.

Complex Legal

Goyette and Associates is one of very few law firms in California experienced in class action litigation and representing the employees or plaintiffs in these actions. Due to the large scale and complicated nature of class action litigation, potential actions for groups or ‘classes’ of both private sector and public sector employees have to be carefully evaluated to determine if the cases are viable and can succeed. The Firm’s litigation attorneys are specialists at thorough evaluations of such disputes, which may be treated as class actions.

Goyette & Associates has successfully litigated class actions for groups of both private sector employees and unionized public employees. In the private sector, the Firm has successfully undertaken traditional class actions in which the class must be certified for groups of misclassified as ‘white collar’ exempt employees to recover overtime pay owed as well as for groups of ‘blue collar’ hourly employees to recover prevailing wages and overtime pay owed. For public employees, Gary Goyette and the Firm’s litigation attorneys are well versed in the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the federal wage law applicable to public employees. Class Actions or ‘collective actions’ under the FLSA are unique since, unlike traditional state wage law class actions or other traditional federal law class actions, FLSA based actions require each potential class member to affirmatively join or “opt-in” to the law suit. This opt-in requirement creates a multitude of other issues and potential complications. Goyette & Associates attorneys are experienced at handling these Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) class actions, and have handled and continued to handle large Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) based class actions seeking overtime pay for large groups of public employees. These class actions currently include actions against the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department which, together with associated class grievances, cover nearly 20,000 law enforcement employees.

The Complex Litigation Division of Goyette & Associates is managed by Gary Goyette, California’s preeminent Fair Labor Standards Act attorney, and is handled by experienced civil litigation and class action attorneys. If you believe you have a wage related dispute or other employment related dispute which affects you and a group of employees which may be suitable for class action litigation, please contact Goyette & Associates immediately using our contact form.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Goyette & Associates, Inc., Estate Security and Protection System

The Goyette & Associates, Inc., Estate Security and Protection System is a means of providing our clients estate planning security in the most beneficial, efficient and cost-effective way possible.  Goyette & Associates, Inc., offers its clients personalized service with attorneys and trained assistants.  We will analyze your individual needs and goals and provide you with a logical and effective process to achieve security and peace of mind regarding your assets and estate planning.

Unique Process

Step 1: The Candid Look
This process requires us and you, as the Client, to take a careful, confidential and honest look at your estate planning needs.  After we take some basic information from you we will send you a worksheet and booklet to begin this process.  Complete the worksheet and then we will meet with you to begin the Candid Look.  We will ask you questions like: What are your greatest fears or risks?  What do you want to provide for your family?  What do you feel you really need?  Most importantly, if you were looking back on this process, what has to happen for you to feel safe and secure in your Estate Planning.

Step 2: The Legal Filter and Options Review
Here we will identify the legal tools and risks that exist for your particular estate planning situation. Through the Legal Filter we may consult with others regarding speciality areas if they apply to your situation.  For example, we may need to consult with tax specialists, accountants, actuaries, and other experts to present you with the best of options.

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In the Options Review we will examine and discuss with you your available options.  We will recommend the documents and systems that are best suited to achieve your goals.

Step 3: The Wills and Trust Expediter
Once we have taken you through the Legal Filter and the Options Review, we will prepare the necessary documents to meet your goals.  We will meet with you and assist you in executing and implementing all necessary documents.  All documents will be provided to you in an Estate Organizer to take with you.  We will give you all necessary instructions and guidance to complete the execution and funding of your Trust.

Step 4. Annual Review and Asset Maximizer
We will communicate with you to answer any questions you may have.  In addition, we will regularly follow up with you with a questionnaire regarding any changes that have occurred in your Estate that may affect your Trust documents.  With your approval, we can update and revise your Trust documents.

For more information contact Rafael Ruano directly at 916-851-1900 or 1-888-993-1600.

Training & Education

Goyette & Associates, Inc., offers comprehensive training, and education and speakers programs for the clients and customers on a wide variety of subject matters. For example, G&A offers training to its law enforcement organizations and their members in areas such as Internal Affairs investigations and the Peace Officers Procedural Bills of Rights Act, critical incidents, avoiding the obstruction of justice minefield, success in collective bargaining, on the job injuries and workers’ compensation rights, wage, hour and overtime compensation under State law and the FLSA and employee organization management.

More information on this subject is available on our blog.

Similar programs are offered for firefighters and other public safety employee organizations. Finally, G&A in conjunction with RN Guardian offers comprehensive training to California Registered Nurses on liability risk management and licensing defense.

Paul Q. Goyette heads up G&A’s training, education and speakers’ programs creating a unique, educational and entertaining program. G&A’s speakers program includes some of the most experienced and qualified professionals in their fields.

G&A’s training, education and speakers’ program are based upon the commitment to give you useful and practical information and the tools to use that information to meet both the long-term and short-term goals of your organization. In other words, G&A’s programs are not about simply providing the student interesting trivia. Rather, many of the programs are designed to help the student lay the foundation for personal and organizational growth. Students learn the value of establishing concrete goals for their organization and numerous strategies to meet those goals.

A testimonial from one of our clients:

"Paul Goyette served as a panelist at the Labor and Employment Section of the California State Bar's 15th Annual Public Sector Conference. Paul provided keen insight regarding the prosecution and defense of administrative claims of disparate treatment, harassment and other issues of fair employment (Session title: "To Claim or Not to Claim"). Paul was able to share his expertise in this practice area by conveying practical and meaningful information. He definitely knew his material and his audience. Undoubtedly, Paul was well-received by those who attended the training session, and he would be invited back to provide continuing education to members of the Section".

Michael E. Whitaker
Supervising Deputy Attorney General
California Department of Justice - ERA Section
300 S. Spring St., 6th Fl. - South Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 897-2092/(213) 897-1071 (FAX)
Michael.Whitaker@doj.ca.gov

Personal Injury

Goyette and Associates, Inc., represents individuals who have been injured or who have suffered damages as a result of the negligence or wrong doing of others.  Our attorneys handle personal injury claims arising from a variety of mishaps such as automobile accidents, slip and falls, and intentional torts and will work to obtain a quick and favorable result.

The firm utilizes the expertise of Mark Swartz who is ‘Of Counsel’ for personal injury cases.  Mr. Swartz is an experienced litigator who has tried over 100 cases before juries and has specialized in representing those who have been injured by the wrongful acts of others.  He has tried several civil cases to verdicts and has obtained six figure and seven figure verdicts for clients.  Mr. Swartz helps ensure that Goyette & Associates, Inc., clients receive expert, aggressive representation for personal injury and related cases.

RN License Defense

The lawyers of Goyette & Associates, Inc., have extensive experience representing registered nurses of California in a wide variety of legal matters. Goyette & Associates, Inc., has represented California registered nurses in investigations by the Board of Registered Nurses (BRN), BRN Administrative appeals, negligence and malpractice claims, and criminal defense matters rising from the registered nurses course and scope of his or her job.

Goyette & Associates, Inc., are the primary panel attorneys for RN Guardian™. RN Guardian is a prepaid legal services plan offered exclusively to California registered nurses.  Every RN Guardian Plan participant receives a comprehensive legal consultation and zealous attorney representation when threatened with enforcement action against her or his nursing license by the BRN.  The lawyers of Goyette & Associates, Inc., begin representation of registered nurses from the moment the RN is notified that he or she is under investigation by the BRN.

To view the RN Guardian website visit:  http://www.rnguardian.com

High Profile Criminal Defense

Paul Goyette and Goyette & Associates, Inc.,(G&A) have an unprecedented record in representing high profile criminal defendants in complex cases that are closely covered by the media. Paul Goyette is currently enjoying an unprecedented win streak in high profile criminal defense cases having not lost a case that has gone to verdict since 1995.

Why choose G&A to represent you or your loved one in a high profile criminal case?
The answer is simple: How bad do you need to win? Put another way, how important is it to you win this case? Or, can you afford to risk your life and future with some other and less qualified and less successful team?

Many lawyers and law firms will tell you they are experts in a wide variety of areas. Check their record and check their scorecard. Paul Goyette has an extraordinary success in both State Court and Federal Court in high profile matters ranging from homicide cases in State Court to corruption and obstruction of justice cases in Federal Court.

Goyette & Associates Inc., has assembled a unique team of highly specialized experts to achieve the result you need. G&A’s Chief of Staff, Jennifer Coalson-Perez, coordinates all media relations. Jennifer’s long history in the legislature and public relations allows our team to get out in front of negative media stories and in fact, uses the media to our advantage. Many lawyers will tell you they are great at handling the media when they have never been in front of a television camera in their life. The key to successfully representing clients in high profile cases is confidence.

Goyette & Associates will use its entire team to win your case
That team will include expert researchers, writers, investigators and expert witnesses. Your lead trial lawyer in a high profile case will be Paul Goyette. Paul will head up the team that will provide you a thorough, comprehensive and passionate defense all of which will lead to a win.

To be sure, feel free to contact G&A’s high profile litigation reference list. Each of these references are prominent members of their industry or their community when they were prosecuted. Each reference has been through what you are now facing. They can tell you about their experiences. Most of all, they will tell you of the importance of having a premier legal team like Goyette & Associates, Inc.

Will you pay more to have the G&A team represent you?
Of course. But it comes back to the fundamental question of how important is it to you to win your case? If you were faced with a life-threatening medical condition where you needed open heart surgery would you want a B-team or C-team surgeon to work on you? Of course not! If the outcome of the trial is not that important to you, then go the budget route. Use the lawyers that are on retainer with your company or your employee organization. While the rates charged by G&A are very competitive there is no hiding this fundamental fact: The highest quality representation and winning takes time, commitment, and passion. The value that the G&A high profile litigation team can provide is limitless.

Please give us a call when you have to win.

Contact Information

Gold River/Sacramento Office
11344 Coloma Road, Suite 145
Gold River, California 95670
(916) 851-1900
(888) 993-1600 Toll free
(916) 851-1995 Fax

Modesto Office
1300 G Street, Suite 200
Modesto, California 95354
(209) 491-4800
(209) 491-4804 Fax

Redding Office
1860 Park Marina Drive
Redding, California 96001
(888) 993-1600
(530) 246-1651 Fax

Newport Beach Office
4695 MacArthur Court, 11th Floor
Newport Beach, California 92660
(888) 993-1600
(916) 851-1995 Fax

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