Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani welcomes a four-attorney lateral group to the firm’s Fresno office, further strengthening the firm’s national capabilities. The group is comprised of partners James D. Miller, Timothy D. Hastie, Kevin B. Piercy, and Matthew C. Schmidt.
“GRSM’s national platform continues to attract outstanding lateral talent drawn to the firm’s coast-to-coast capabilities and substantial resources,” said Mollie Burks, Regional Oversight Partner of GRSM’s Northern California offices. “Their litigation depth further strengthens our ability to support clients across California and nationwide, while enhancing the depth and strength of our Fresno office.”
GRSM’s Fresno office opened in 2021 in California’s Central Valley, reflecting the firm’s longstanding relationship with the region’s community. The office serves clients throughout Fresno and the Valley, with particular strength in agribusiness, as well as active practices in shipping, banking and finance, insurance, construction, and real estate. The Fresno team also brings deep litigation experience, including class action and PAGA defense, employment law, real property, professional liability, product liability, and environmental and toxic tort matters, while collaborating across GRSM’s 50-state platform to support clients nationwide.
“We joined GRSM because its 50-state, full-service platform adds greater value for clients by serving as a true one-stop shop for all of their legal needs,” said James D. Miller.
James D. Miller represents businesses and employers in a wide range of matters involving business, real property, and labor relations and employment law, including contract disputes, class action and PAGA defense, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, wage-and-hour claims, and creditor rights, including representations in bankruptcy court. He also has significant litigation experience in the agricultural and dairy sectors, representing both growers and farmers, including the defense of farm labor contractors. Miller regularly advises and counsels employers on human resources policies and employee relations issues. He is admitted to practice in California and the U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California, as well as the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts of California.
Timothy D. Hastie focuses his practice on defending a wide range of personal injury and damages cases, as well as defending employers against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage-and-hour violations, and other employment-related matters. He is admitted to practice in California and the U.S. District Court for the Central and Eastern Districts of California.
Kevin B. Piercy has experience representing businesses, most predominantly in the agricultural industries throughout Central California, in labor and employment matters. His experience includes workplace safety and health matters, class actions, representative actions under the Private Attorneys General Act, and claims involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and workplace investigations. Piercy is highly experienced in representing employers in OSHA matters and is frequently called upon to assist businesses during workplace crises. He is admitted to practice in California and the U.S. District Court for the Central and Eastern Districts of California.
Matthew C. Schmidt focuses his practice on employment law matters and brings more than a decade of experience with the Superior Courts of California, including significant experience in complex civil law and motion practice. Before joining GRSM, he managed and supervised multiple court departments, where he provided guidance and drafted policy directives to implement changes in law and court procedures. Schmidt’s extensive background in the impartial operation of the courts has shaped his ability to thoughtfully evaluate both sides of legal disputes, enabling him to guide clients toward realistic, sustainable, and beneficial outcomes. He is admitted to practice in California.
The Fresno team works closely with GRSM attorneys nationwide, leveraging the firm’s expansive 50-state platform to deliver comprehensive legal solutions for our clients.
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