Gregory D. Helmer is a highly experienced lawyer specializing in California's employment and consumer protection law. With over 30 years of experience, he has represented clients in cases spanning the spectrum of employment law, including retaliation, whistleblower claims, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. He has extensive experience negotiating executive departure agreements and contracts. He has handled cases at all levels, including jury trials, appeals, arbitration, and mediation. Mr. Helmer is a founding member of Helmer Friedman LLP, a firm known for its thorough and aggressive advocacy.In addition to individual employment claims, Mr. Helmer has extensive experience litigating class actions involving employment issues, such as wage theft, failure to pay overtime, and meal and rest periods. He has also taken on consumer class actions, including a case where a pet food company allegedly sold pet food laced with toxic compounds, killing thousands of pets.One of Mr. Helmer's notable cases involved securing a $1.7 million arbitration award in an age discrimination and harassment case, then one of the most significant arbitration awards on record. He was also the lead attorney in a discrimination lawsuit against a Major League Soccer team featured on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.Mr. Helmer was counsel of record in the precedent-setting United States Supreme Court case of Lightfoot v. Cendant Mortgage Corp. He represented a homeowner who had been fraudulently foreclosed upon by her bank and Fannie Mae.In a case involving elder abuse and neglect, Mr. Helmer served as the lead attorney against a nursing home that withheld medication from an elderly resident, resulting in her death. He also represents families whose elderly relatives have fallen victim to financial abuse and theft by caregivers or stockbrokers.Mr. Helmer earned his J.D. degree from UCLA School of Law in 1990, serving on the UCLA Law Review editorial board. Before founding Helmer Friedman LLP, he worked for Paul Hastings' employment law department. He also interned at the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C.Lastly, Mr. Helmer serves on the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a non-profit organization that provides legal services to those who need them the most and cannot afford them. He is also on the Board of Directors of Paws for Life K9 Rescue.