Jonathan Assia

My focus

I am experienced in all phases of litigation and have successfully obtained full defense verdicts in multiple arbitrations. I also have experience with jury trials and recently obtained a verdict in my client’s favor where the jury granted a seven figure award. I have ample experience defending employers in claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, harassment, and wage and hour violations. I have also represented companies in a wide range of disputes across multiple industries.

Before joining Nixon Peabody, I was in private practice. I also previously served as a law clerk for the Los Angeles District Attorney, a judicial extern for the Honorable Michael W. Fitzgerald of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and a legal intern for the Member Regulation Department of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Looking ahead

Stringent California laws have a major operational impact on start-up companies. New companies in California need to overcome the difficulties of compliance and still maintain high employee morale and low legal costs.

Representative experience

• Second-chaired a two-week federal jury trial on behalf of Jiae Lee, the plaintiff in an action against defendants Dong Yeoun (“Damon”) Lee, Creative Global Investment, Inc. (“CGI”), and Grace Min, claiming fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.  The jury found Damon Lee and CGI liable on essentially all counts, and awarded significant compensatory and punitive damages.
• Second-chaired an employment wage and hour arbitration where we obtained a full defense verdict
• Second-chaired a three-week employment arbitration where we obtained a full defense verdict from the arbitrator. The case involved clams by five separate plaintiffs each alleging various combinations of discrimination, harassment, and wage hour claims