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Gayle L. Eskridge

Aurelia Garcia

Arbitrator/Mediator

GAYLE L. ESKRIDGE, the principal of ESKRIDGE LAW, was a litigation and trial attorney since 1988, representing individuals, corporations and partnerships, employees and employers, wealth management firms, financial advisors, investors, developers, and municipalities. With broad litigation and trial experience, Ms. Eskridge has managed hundreds of cases and now dedicates her practice to serving as a Mediator and Arbitrator in the areas of Employment, Business and Real Estate Law.

Location: Los Angeles, California and Rancho Cordova, California
Phone: 310/303-3951 and 916/898-1469

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Both ESKRIDGE LAW & MEDIATION and Gayle L. Eskridge have held AV ratings from Martindale-Hubbell every year since 2001 and has been designated an AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated Attorney every year since 2015.  An AV rating identifies a lawyer or firm with very high to preeminent legal ability. The AV rating is a reflection of expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence.

Ms. Eskridge has also been designated a Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer in Litigation every year since 2015, and a Martindale-Hubbell Labor and Employment Law Top Rated Lawyer every year since 2015. Ms. Eskridge has also been designated a Martindale Hubbell Women’s AV Preeminent Attorney every year since 2011.

Ms. Eskridge has been designated a California Super Lawyer for every year since 2012. (Only 5% of all attorneys in California ever receive such a distinction.)

Ms. Eskridge has also been designated as one of the Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers is regarded – by both the legal profession and the public – as one of the most credible measures of legal integrity and distinction in the United States.  Inclusion in Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence in practice.

Ms. Eskridge has also been designated a Top Attorney in Southern California by Los Angeles Magazine. Ms. Eskridge has also been selected a California Top Ten Attorney in the Litigation, Lawsuits & Disputes Division by the American Institute of Legal Counsel.

Ms. Eskridge has been designated as one of America’s Most Honored Professionals – Top 1% in every year since 2011.  She has also been designated one of the Top Women Attorneys in Southern California every year since 2012.

Ms. Eskridge is a mediator certified by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.  Ms. Eskridge has served as a Settlement Conference Officer for the Los Angeles Superior Court, and as a Member of the Los Angeles Superior Court Mediator Panel.  Ms. Eskridge is also a Pro Tem Settlement Conference Judge with the Sacramento Superior Court.  Ms. Eskridge is currently a member of the American Arbitration Association Mediator and Arbitrator Panels, a Professional Member of the Southern California Mediation Association, a Senior Mediator with Mediate.com, a member of the California Dispute Resolution Council, a member of Arbitrate.com, and a member of the Association of Attorney-Mediators.  Ms. Eskridge has conducted over 250 mediations. Ms. Eskridge has served as an Arbitrator in over 150 arbitrations.

Ms. Eskridge is admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of California, including all the United States District Courts in California. Ms. Eskridge holds a Juris Doctorate degree from National University School of Law.  Her legal studies were distinguished by three American Jurisprudence Awards – in Constitutional Law, Real Property Law and Remedies, and by an F. Lee Bailey Moot Court Award.

Ms. Eskridge is active in the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA).  She is a former Chair of the LACBA Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee, which is one of the most esteemed ethics organizations in the country.  Ms. Eskridge was previously a long-time member of the LACBA Judicial Appointments Committee, which investigates and interviews judicial applicants and submits reports to the Governor.

Ms. Eskridge is active in the Sacramento County Bar Association, including currently serving as a member of the board of directors, and on the leadership committees of both the Alternative Dispute Resolution Law section and the Labor and Employment Law section.  Ms. Eskridge is also a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Bylaws Committee and MCLE Committee.

Ms. Eskridge is or has been a member of:

  • The American Bar Association, including the Dispute Resolution Section (1988 – present);
  • The State Bar of California (1988 – present) – including the Litigation section (1988 – 2018), Labor and Employment Law Section (1994 – 2018), Real Property section (1988 – 2018), and Business Law section (2006 – 2018);
  • The California Lawyers Association (2018 – present) – including the Litigation section (2018 – present), Labor and Employment Law section (2018 – present), Real Property section (2018 – present), and Business Law section (2018 – present);
  • The Los Angeles County Bar Association – including the Business Law, Real Property, Labor and Employment, and Litigation sections (1994 – present);
  • The Judicial Appointments Committee (2007 – 2011), and the Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee (2014 – 2023);
  • The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles – including the Business-Corporations, Real Property, Employment and Labor, Litigation, and ADR-Mediation sections (2006 – 2018);
  • The Sacramento County Bar Association (currently on board of directors), including the Alternative Dispute Resolution Law (currently on leadership committee), Labor and Employment Law (currently on leadership committee), Real Property Law, and Business Law sections (2021 – present), and the Bylaws and MCLE Committees;
  • The South Bay Bar Association (1994 – 2020);
  • The South Bay Women Lawyers Association (1997 – 2000);
  • The California Employment Lawyers Association (2002 – 2020);
  • The National Employment Lawyers Association (2002 – 2020);
  • The American Arbitration Association (2006 – present);
  • The San Diego County Bar Association – including the Business & Corporate Law, Real Property Law, Labor and Employment Law, General Civil Litigation (Chair during 1990-1992), and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections (1988 – 2015), and the Animal Law Section (1997 – 2015); editor of Dicta, The Lawyer’s Magazine (1990-1993);
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego (1988-1994).

Ms. Eskridge has been a guest speaker on various legal topics for the Sacramento County Bar Association, the Financial Executives Networking Group, the South Bay Association of Realtors, the Del Amo Rotary Club, the California Society of Medical Assistants, the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, the Corporate Advisory Committee of the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations, and other organizations, and has provided seminars on legal issues to numerous businesses.

Ms. Eskridge has also served as an expert witness in employment law matters.

Ms. Eskridge has had numerous legal articles published in the San Diego Bar Association’s Dicta, The Lawyer’s Magazine, the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Update, and the Sacramento Bar Association’s Sacramento Lawyer, among other publications.

Ms. Eskridge has also done years of pro bono for the Los Angeles Superior Court Alternative Dispute Program.

Ms. Eskridge is the founder and President of Hercules Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation committed to the rescue and protection of abandoned, lost, and feral animals.  Hercules Animal Rescue Inc. has rescued and found homes for close to 100 kittens since 2006, and has spayed, neutered, microchipped and vaccinated numerous other cats.  Ms. Eskridge has also done pro bono legal work for other non-profit animal protection organizations, such as Friends of Cats, Inc. and Emergency Animal Rescue, Inc. In addition to her animal protection work, Ms. Eskridge has done pro bono legal work for the Cancer Legal Resource Center of Los Angeles, and for victims of HIV and AIDS.

Ms. Eskridge also holds a real estate broker license from the California Department of Real Estate.

During law school, Ms. Eskridge worked full time as a Senior Contract Administrator at a major aerospace company, handling multi-million dollar contracts, both government and foreign.  Ms. Eskridge was the first woman Senior Contract Administrator at any division of Teledyne, Inc. and was also the youngest person ever to be promoted to the position of Senior Contract Administrator at any division of Teledyne, Inc.  Despite working full time during law school, Ms. Eskridge passed the California Bar Examination on the first attempt.

Some of the matters Ms. Eskridge has handled during the past few years include:

  • A $38 million loan fraud case in which Eskridge Law obtained a dismissal for its client.
  • A case involving an 11,000 acre ranch, in which Eskridge Law obtained a mistrial following juror and witness misconduct, and then a settlement.
  • A settlement of only $19,500 on behalf of Eskridge Law’s employer client in a class action involving 81 employees.
  • A recovery of $250,000 which had been stolen from its client by internet wire fraud.
  • A settlement in a very complicated business dispute involving companies in the United States, Canada, and China.  The case involved the exchange of products, money, and trade secrets, among other things.
  • A $700,000 pre-litigation settlement in a wage and hour claim brought on behalf of a caretaker who was an undocumented immigrant.
  • A $250,000 settlement on behalf of tenants of two apartments which were damaged by water.
  • A $145,000 settlement on behalf of an employee who was terminated after complaining about age and disability-based discrimination and harassment.
  • A settlement of less than $400,000 on a wage and hour class action in which Eskridge Law defended the employer.
  • A $479,341 judgement in a shareholder derivative action.
  • A $300,000 pre-litigation settlement for a sexual harassment client.
  • A $150,000 judgement in a shareholder derivative action.
  • A $165,000 pre-litigation settlement for an employee who was terminated because of his age.
  • A $125,000 settlement for an employee who was harassed and discriminated against because of his race.
  • A $207,000 settlement for an aerospace company employee who was discriminated against and harassed because of her gender.
  • A $100,000 settlement for an executive at a property management company who was harassed and discriminated against because of her gender.
  • A case in which Eskridge Law obtained settlements totaling $251,000 for an employee who was terminated from joint employers in retaliation for reporting racial harassment.
  • An age and race discrimination case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $203,000 settlement for an employee.
  • A sexual harassment case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $225,000 settlement for an employee.
  • A retaliation case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $180,000 settlement for an employee who was terminated in retaliation for reporting racial harassment and other illegal activity which was occurring in the workplace.
  • A whistleblowing case where Eskridge Law obtained a $172,500 settlement for an employee who “blew the whistle” regarding improper practices at a hospital.
  • A retaliation case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $250,000 settlement for an employee who was retaliated against after he reported that a supervisor was harassing other employees based on their race.
  • An age discrimination case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $220,000 settlement for an employee who was terminated.
  • A whistleblowing case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $125,000 settlement for an employee who was terminated.
  • A shareholder derivative action in which Eskridge Law obtained a $150,000 settlement for a shareholder in a family-owned business.
  • A gender and race discrimination case where Eskridge Law obtained a $175,000 settlement.
  • A case where an employee was terminated for complaining about various legal improprieties being committed by his employer was settled by Eskridge Law for $280,000.
  • A case in which a $120,000 settlement was obtained by Eskridge Law for an employee who was sexually harassed then fired when she reported the harassment to Human Resources.
  • A case in which an employee who was sexually harassed and then retaliated against when she reported the harassment to Human Resources was settled by Eskridge Law for $100,000.
  • A race discrimination case where Eskridge Law obtained a $750,000 settlement.
  • A medical condition discrimination/gender discrimination case where Eskridge Law obtained a $400,000 settlement five months after filing the action.
  • A pregnancy discrimination case in which Eskridge Law obtained a $275,000 Judgment for its client following a trial by jury.
  • A stock fraud case in which a jury awarded $1.5 million to Eskridge Law clients.
  • A sexual harassment case where Eskridge Law obtained a $200,000 settlement for its client without even filing a lawsuit.
  • A sexual harassment case where Eskridge Law obtained a $176,500 settlement for its client.
  • A real estate case in which a jury awarded Eskridge Law clients (who were defendants and cross-complainants) $300,000 on their cross-complaint and awarded nothing to plaintiff.
Bar Admissions
  • California, 1988
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California
Education
  • National University School of Law, San Diego, California, 1988, Juris Doctor
  • University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, 1982, Bachelor of Arts – With Distinction, Major: Music
Published Works
  • “Malpractice Action by One Client Destroys Attorney-Client Privilege of Jointly Represented Client,” LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION UPDATE, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 2015
  • “Attorneys Have a Duty to Adequately Communicate with Their Clients – No Excuses,” LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION UPDATE, Vol. 35 No. 4, April 2015
  • “Attorney’s Duty in Releasing Former Client’s File,” LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION UPDATE, Vol. 34 No. 11, November 2014
  • “Settlement Agreement Provisions That Purport to Restrict an Attorney’s Right to Practice Law” LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION UPDATE, Vol. 34 No. 3, March 2014
  • “Death of a Sole Practitioner: Planning for the Event and Administering the Aftermath,” LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION UPDATE, Vol. 33 No. 11, November 2013
  • “To Withdraw or Not to Withdraw – Ethical Issues of the Decision,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVIII, no. 7, July 1997
  • “MCLE Article:  The Hearsay Rule – Confessions, Admissions and Declarations,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XLII, no. 3, March 1997
  • “Grounds for a New Trial,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXIX, no. 10, October 1992
  • “Life After the Verdict,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXIX, no. 8, August 1992
  • “Firms Can Face Lawsuits Over Client Solicitation,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXIX, no. 6, June 1992
  • “The Intertwining of the Medical and Legal Communities,” SAN DIEGO PHYSICIAN, April 1992
  • “Ethical Responsibilities,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXIX, no. 2, February 1992
  • “Damages in Legal Malpractice Actions,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVIII, no. 10, November 1991
  • “Filing a Motion to Withdraw,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVIII, no. 8, September 1991
  • Professional Responsibility, Editor’s Page, DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 7, September 1991
  • Malicious Prosecution, Editor’s Page, DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 3, March 1991
  • Professional Responsibility, Editor’s Page, DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 2, February 1991
  • “San Diego County Bar Association Board Briefs,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVII, no. 10, October 1990
  • “Jury Nullification – An Interview with Cyrus Zal,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVII, no. 3, March 1990
  • “A Blissful Way to Practice,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVII, no. 2, February 1990
  • “The Decade in Dicta,” DICTA, THE LAWYER’S MAGAZINE, vol. XXXVI, no. 12, December 1989
Honors and Awards
  • F. Lee Bailey Moot Court Award
  • Significant Contributions to Legal Scholarship Award
  • American Jurisprudence Award – Real Property Law
  • American Jurisprudence Award – Constitutional Law
  • American Jurisprudence Award – Remedies
  • Certificates of Excellence – Labor Law, International Law and Wills
  • National University School of Law First Year Scholarship
  • Certificate of Appreciation – San Diego County Bar Association, 1990 – 1992
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • California State Bar, 1988 – Present
  • California Lawyers Association, including the Litigation, Labor and Employment Law, Real Property, and Business Law practice sections, Member, 2018 – Present
  • American Bar Association, Member, 1988 – Present
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment, Business Law, Real Property, and Litigation sections, Member, 1994 – Present; Judicial Appointments Committee, Member, 2007 – 2012; Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee, Member of Executive Committee, 2012 – 2019
  • South Bay Bar Association, Member, 1994 – Present
  • South Bay Women Lawyers Association, Member, 1997 – 2000
  • California Employment Lawyers Association, Member, 2002 – Present
  • National Employment Lawyers Association, Member
  • American Arbitration Association, Member, 2006 – Present
  • Consumer Attorneys Associations for Southern California, Member, 2009 – Present
  • San Diego County Bar Association, Business & Corporate Law, Real Property Law, Labor and Employment Law, General Civil Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolutions sections, Member, 1988 – Present; Animal Law section, Member, 1997 – Present; Litigation section, Chair, 1990 – 1992; Dicta, The Lawyer’s Magazine, Editor, 1990-1993
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego, Member, 1988 – 1994
  • Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Member, 1997 – Present
  • Friends of Cats, Inc., a non-profit corporation, Member, 1992 – Present; Board Member, 1992 – 1994
  • Hercules Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation, President, 2006 – Present
  • Emergency Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation, Member, 1994 – Present
Past Employment Positions
  • Hornberger & Criswell, 1995 – 1997
  • Title Recon Tracking, 1994 – 1995
  • Goode & Peterson, 1993 – 1994
  • William F. Woods, P.C., 1989 – 1993
  • Coppo and Cosgrove, 1988 – 1989
Pro Bono Activities
  • Friends of Cats, Inc., a non-profit corporation, 1992 – Present
  • Cancer Legal Resource Center of Los Angeles, 1999 – Present
  • Hercules Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation, 2006 – Present
  • Emergency Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit corporation, 1994 – Present