Joseph L. Chairez

Experience

Products/Technology

• Represented a commercial aircraft product manufacturer in a case involving product design, testing and related issues.
• Represented an aviation products manufacturer in a case involving printed circuit boards and related technology.
• Counsel in a guidance system product and testing case. Represented a high-tech testing company. 
• Counsel in a major toxic tort litigation against multiple manufacturers, and distributors of automobiles and related products; obtained a dismissal on behalf of the client manufacturer of plastic products.
• Counsel in toxic tort claims brought by the plaintiff against multiple manufacturers of wood treatment products; obtained dismissal of the manufacturer of product constituent.
• Counsel in a construction defect case against a manufacturer of homes and related housing construction products, and obtained dismissal on behalf of the client manufacturer.
• Represented clients in a variety of other litigation involving products, including an LPG burn case involving valves, a case involving home appliance products, a severe elevator injury matter, a case involving thermal paper used for prescriptions and a complex coverage matter involving satellite solar arrays.

Employment

• Defense trial counsel on a multiplaintiff federal court discrimination case for a national freight company seeking millions of dollars. The three-week jury trial resulted in an outright defense as to two plaintiffs, and a favorable defense verdict as to the remaining plaintiffs.
• Defense trial counsel on a federal employment age discrimination, misclassification and unfair business practice case where the plaintiff sought $1.1 million plus punitive damages. The plaintiff waived jury on the eve of trial, and at close of the bench trial a defense verdict was awarded on all causes of action.
• Defense trial counsel for manufacturing client in a wage-and-hour class action. Plaintiffs waived jury and the bench trial resulted in a favorable defense verdict for the client.
• Defense trial counsel for a national freight company in a state court discrimination case. At the close of jury selection, plaintiff requested to settle in an amount favorable to defendant.

• Defense trial counsel in wage and hour class action case which resulted is favorable judgement for manufacturer client.

Insurance

Memberships

• Orange County Bar Association: President (2007)
• Board of Governors of the State Bar of California: Vice President (2011)
• Orange County Hispanic Bar Association: President (1997)
• Celtic Bar Association: President (2001 to 2002)
• California Supreme Court Historical Society: Board Member (2014 to 2021)
• American Bar Foundation: Fellow (2011 to 2021)
• Public Law Center: Board Member (2019 to 2021)

Community

• California Commission on Access to Justice: Co-Chair (2008)
• El Viento Foundation: Co-Chair of Advisory Committee (2013 to 2014)
• Hispanic Education Endowment Fund: Board Member (1997 to 2007)
• Public Law Center: Board of Directors (2002 to 2004, 2021)