About Us
Everybody needs a great lawyer to take care of them sometimes. Gallo LLP cares deeply about its clients. We serve businesses, executives, and consumers alike, making winning arguments privately and in state and federal courts. Our results speak for themselves. See our awards and testimonials below. Our partners' lifetime winning percentage in cases tried to verdict exceeds 87% and our plaintiffs' recoveries exceed $100 million.
How can we serve you?
(The results of these cases depended upon their unique facts and the law applicable to them. These outcomes do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of any other matter or matters. They do, however, reflect something about our judgment as to when to go to trial, instead of settling, and our ability to achieve the anticipated result when we do go to trial.)
This website constitutes a "Communication" within the meaning of California Rule of Professional Conduct 1-400, in that it is a "message or offer made by or on behalf of a member [of the California State Bar] concerning the availability for professional employment of a member or a law firm directed to any former, present, or prospective client." See our website Notices, Terms, and Conditions for additional information.
Our Team
Practice Areas
Over the past ten years, class and mass actions for consumers, employees, and investors have become the heart of our practice. We think businesses should compete fairly, and have no sympathy for liars. In our class action practice, we make corporate America tell the truth a little more often, comply with wage and hour laws, respect people’s privacy rights, and deliver what people paid for.
We offer extensive experience and a history of success in complex business litigation. Our clients have ranged from entrepreneurial individuals and businesses to Fortune 1000 companies and their "Chief" level executives. Most have been middle-market businesses seeking a great relationship with a highly skilled and effective lawyer—someone who can understand and empathize with their problems and deliver smart solutions. Our clients are repeat customers because we provide consistently excellent results and service. Focused on our clients’ best interests, not ours, we pursue solutions—not litigation. Because of the way we do business, our clients often become friends.
We provide general counseling services to select clients. Ray Gallo's ability to negotiate win-win deals, general business savvy, and success as a trial lawyer combine to make him an excellent general counselor to any business. As litigators, we know how deals go bad. As negotiators, we create deals that maximize opportunities for successful business relationships while balancing the risks of future litigation and liability. Tracy Tormey, a former AmLaw100 corporate department partner, offers transactional skills informed not only by big law experience, but also by years of in-house experience managing employment, corporate governance, contract, insurance, and other matters for a $200 million publicly traded company.
Current Cases
Aguilar v. Walgreens
Gallo LLP represents more than 80 Walgreens store managers who were improperly denied overtime and meal breaks. Walgreens paid them a salary, but they spent more than half their time doing hourly-type work. Under California law, that means Walgreens was required to treat them as hourly, and pay them overtime, etc. Based on Walgreens' statements to a federal judge, there are 930 class members, so the average claim may be worth $207,000 --- enough to change the life of a Walgreens Store Manager. If you worked as a Walgreens Store Manager in California at any time in the last six years, learn more. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones.
Hodges v. Comcast, Alameda County Superior Court Case No. RG18893764
Comcast has been tracking and saving its customers viewing habits, for use in targeted advertising, in a manner that (allegedly) violates the federal Cable Act and California Invasion of Privacy Act. In this class action, we seek injunctive relief and damages for all affected California consumers. Click the URL below to join if you live in California or if you live in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island and opted-out of Comcast's arbitration cause (or recently activated your Comcast TV service and want to opt-out).
Results
Kirby v. Excelsior I, Inc.
Gallo LLP represented owners who had financed a vehicle purchase with Excelsior (Car Now Acceptance Corporation). Excelsior had repossessed and then resold their vehicles without notification required by South Carolina law and did not give owners an accounting and payment of any surplus that resulted from the sale of their vehicle. The South Carolina Court of Common Pleas approved a class settlement of $2M in late 2019.
Matera v. Google
A FABULOUS RESULT! Plaintiffs (non-gmail users) sued Google seeking an injunction requiring Google to stop intercepting and processing emails to GMail accounts for advertising purposes. That injunction was entered in February 2018. GOOGLE HAS CHANGED ITS ARCHITECTURE AND STOPPED INTERCEPTING AND PROCESSING EMAILS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES.
Garcia v. Vivint
Plaintiffs sued solar panel seller Vivint for misleading sales practices---lying about whether homeowners enjoying California's low-income subsidized electricity rates (CARE) would save money by signing up with Vivint---and for selling Spanish speaking clients in Spanish but then providing them with an English agreement to sign. Plaintiffs recovered individual damages, the removal of the Vivint systems from their homes, and an injunction requiring Vivint to provide consumers with a contract in the same language as the sales pitch. We believe Vivint has injured numerous Californians who have CARE electricity rates by falsely promising them savings and signing them to 20 year contracts.
Vasquez v. California School of Culinary Arts
In Vasquez v. CSCA, Gallo LLP represented 1,400 individual victims alleging fraud by the California School of Culinary Arts and its parent company Career Education Corporation. A few Gallo LLP clients initially recovered a total of two million dollars in statutory settlement offers by CECO. Those who held out as advised ultimately recovered more. Read about our work and this settlement in The Atlantic.
Corley v. Google, Inc., Case No. 5:16-cv-00473
Gallo LLP represented Google Apps for Education users against Google for allegedly illegally reading user account emails. These cases settled confidentially, but you can see our client reviews at https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/94901-ca-ray-gallo-291467.html#client_reviews
Tsyn v. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Gallo LLP represented Wells Fargo Financial Advisors for their employer's California and federal wage and hour violations. They were not paid overtime, had unlawful deductions taken from pay, did not receive reimbursements for business expenses, and were not paid commissions on a timely basis. The federal court approved a class settlement of $9.5M in late 2018.
Amador v. California Culinary Academy
In Amador v. California Culinary Academy, Gallo LLP recovered $40 Million from parent company Career Education Corporation based on allegations that students were misled to believe they would become chefs and earn chef wages, and based on allegedly misleading job placement rates that included jobs that were readily available without a culinary degree, and that paid wages so low students could not hope to live and make their student loan payments.
Bottoni v. Sallie Mae
In Bottoni v. Sallie Mae, Gallo LLP successfully removed an estimated $76 million in "collection charges" from the student loan obligations of approximately 40,000 Californians.
Callan v. Google, Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 18CV324895
In Callan v. Google, Gallo LLP represented 50 non-Gmail users seeking damages from Google for alleged violations of state laws requiring both sides consent to intercept electronic communications (email). California law (CIPA) provides $5,000 in statutory damages per violation.Click the link below to see if you qualify. We had obtained an injunction against Google in Matera v. Google, preventing Google from intercepting and processing emails to @Gmail addresses for advertising purposes. See www.gmailsettlement.com. This matter was privately resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.
Uber RSU Claims
Gallo represented roughly 350 current and former Uber engineers and executives who received stock for their Restricted Stock Units at the May 9, 2019 IPO paid excessive state and federal income taxes. The shares were supposed to be delivered 6 months after the IPO (the same day the lock-up expired). Instead Uber accelerated he settlement date to the IPO date. So, RSU shareholders received shares worth $45 each for tax purposes (even though they couldn't sell and get paid until the lock-up period expired 6 months later). If Uber had delivered the shares on November 9, 2019 (like it was supposed to), when they were worth just $27/share, employees would have been taxed on that much lower value. Read a more detailed explanation (or see Ray discuss it on video) on our website at https://uberrsuclaims.gallo.law?ml=150452054 or read about it on Medium (here's a freelink) at https://medium.com/swlh/how-uber-increased-employees-income-tax-liability-f7aa5eba0068?source=friends_link&sk=190f02a69191f4822c226aa2a11f0a90. We currently represent more than 250 current and former Uber professionals asserting these claims. This case was resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.
Gallo LLP’s pioneering development of software to automate and facilitate smaller-claim mass actions has made justice economically possible where it wasn’t before. Using LeverageTM mass action software, the firm successfully has prosecuted more than 1,000 cases for clients whose claims previously were impossible to vindicate. Leverage is available to well-qualified lawyers through affiliate Gallo Digital (leverage.law) or through joint ventures with Gallo LLP.
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court may not care whether legal wrongs have practical remedies. But we do.
Testimonials
I had the unfortunate experience of having to defend a professional liability case against Mr. Gallo. I say 'unfortunate' because he obtained a jury verdict for his client, and against my client, in excess of $600,000. Mr. Gallo was always professional, extremely well prepared, and extremely tenacious, in the representation of his client. If I ever have cause to file a lawsuit against someone because I feel I have been wronged, he will be the first person I contact to represent me.
Ray Gallo represents me personally in all my business matters. Over the years, he has always met or exceeded my expectations.
Ray Gallo was a savvy advisor and a highly effective negotiator when I chose to leave my last executive position and again when I accepted my current one. He took care of my interests and built very effective relationships at the same time. I now consider Ray to be a friend and will call him first whenever I need a lawyer.
Amazing lawyers and negotiators.
I knew I had a good lawyer when I hired Ray. But halfway through the trial, the Judge leaned down from the bench and said to me: "You've got a great lawyer."
Every time I've sent a problem to Gallo, they have resolved it expeditiously, inexpensively, and quite favorably.
I would recommend Gallo to any executive. They did a terrific job of enforcing my old employment contract and were very helpful in negotiating my new one.
I highly recommend Gallo to anyone in search of a professional, highly dedicated and committed attorney. I found Ray Gallo's style straight-forward and honest in his assessment of my legal situation. Ray and Tony Jensen worked diligently in securing the best strategy to protect my interests. I was completely satisfied with the results of our business relationship and will use Gallo again.
Gallo did a terrific job of negotiating and preparing our initial funding agreement on the very best terms available.
Ray Gallo is one of California's most talented trial lawyers. Ray out-thinks, out-strategizes, and out-negotiates the opponent at every stage of a case. And when it comes to a trial, his courtroom skills and savvy are unparalleled. I recommend him highly to anyone with a serious, high-stakes legal problem.
Gallo's persistence and toughness in pursuing my litigation goals, at a very reasonable cost to me, were remarkable. Ray Gallo's cross-examination skills were noteworthy even to a litigation veteran like me.
. . . Very good results for our company at a reasonable cost.
Ray and I were opposing counsel in a very hard-fought litigation. I found Ray to be very intelligent and diligent. Our relationship was always courteous and professional. Since that case ended, Ray and I have referred clients to each other and remain in frequent contact. I have no hesitation in recommending Ray as an attorney and counselor.
Over the past seven years, Gallo has advised the company on a broad range of legal and business issues . . . I have always found them to be diligent, innovative, aggressive, and business-like in protecting our interests.
Ray is an extraordinary and unique individual. It was amazing to watch and listen while he did his thing at my arbitration hearing. I was in awe. I couldn't have asked for anyone more remarkable. I am so appreciative for everything Ray and his team did for me. Gallo LLP represented me with such confidence, character, strength, and style that I will be forever grateful.
Ray is a responsive, solution providing attorney focused on the most efficient use of his and his clients' time. He provides his clients with a cost-effective, smart path to resolving their legal issues. He has provided great guidance to me in matters of contracts, litigation, and labor in a variety of industries. It is always a pleasure working with Ray, as he is focused on resolving matters not on complicating them in the name of generating legal fees. Ray can be effective in both large and small matters.
Ray has represented me more than once, each time as an expert negotiator and excellent legal resource. He is always my first recommendation for corporate advisory and contract matters.
I found Ray Gallo to be the consummate professional in my dealings with him. Ray was smart, pragmatic and most efficient in helping obtain a favorable resolution of the dispute we had for his clients. Thank you.
Ray and I were representing clients who were adversaries in a lawsuit. I found Ray to be an insightful, principled lawyer who remained a gentlemen while vigorously pursuing his client's position. He has exceptional common sense and a wonderful personality. His ability to understand both sides of the dispute make him a formidable adversary. If I ever needed a lawyer for myself or knew someone that required a referral, Ray would be at the top of my list.
Ray is a great negotiator and understands how to get his clients the best possible deal in the shortest possible time. Honest, professional and very smart.
I met Ray when he represented my client's opposition in a lawsuit. Ray got a good result for his clients, and was knowledgeable, diligent and highly professional. It is not often a lawyer can recommend someone first met as opposing counsel, but I can unreservedly recommend Ray.
Ray was retained by one of my clients for an important lawsuit. Thanks to his hard work the client was able to secure a favorable result.
Ray Gallo is a brilliant and learned attorney who has done an excellent and studied job of the legal work he has done for our companies. I wholeheartedly support him.
Ray has represented my company, Interland, in several litigation matters and we have always been happy with his responsiveness and the results we've achieved. I would be happy to recommend him.
Ray has been invaluable to me both as my attorney and as a general business advisor. He is both smart and aggressive. I value our relationship.
Trust is everything. I trust Gallo.
Gallo LLP represented me and a few thousand other victims of a vocational school fraud, and achieved an unprecedented $40 million settlement. Over the five years of hard work required, Ray Gallo was responsive, dedicated, smart, and sometimes even selfless in his efforts to force the other side to make it right. I will always be grateful for the hard work and great results. I recommend Gallo wholeheartedly.
Gallo LLP represented me in a class action challenging a student lender's assessment of excessive collection charges against more than 40,000 Californians. Dominic Valerian and Ray Gallo were thorough, hard-working, and dedicated throughout more than three years of litigation and ultimately recovered an estimated $76 million in debt relief and refunds for the class.
I am the CEO of Compex Legal services. I have worked extensively with Ray on various matters ranging from debt settlement to employee issues over the last three years. Ray is one of the smartest lawyers i have met--and I have worked with many lawyers in my career. His advice is always valuable. He is a great negotiator and is fun to work with. I recommend him highly.
Articles & Resources
Today’s technology automates client screening, interviewing, signing, and communications, among other things, enabling the cost-effective mass litigation of smaller cases than ever before.
Read MoreIn class actions, heated battles can result when attorneys communicate with members of a putative (yet to be certified) class. Communications during the notice period – after the class has received notice of the proposed class settlement but before the opt-out/claims period ends – are particularly sensitive.
DIFFERENT INTERESTS
Three different groups of lawyers may want to communicate with putative class members during the notice period: defense counsel, competing plaintiffs counsel, and provisionally appointed class counsel…
The hyper-scrutiny of the entertainment world has grown increasingly common in the world of board rooms and corporate executives.
Top talents in the business and entertainment worlds have recently suffered the consequences of real and/or perceived moral and ethical transgressions. The examples of Boeing’s Harry Stonecipher (consensual love affair is- sues) and fashion icon Kate Moss (substance abuse issues) show that business must confront and respond to a range of controversial personal conduct by its stars…
Read MoreToday many workers increasingly define themselves by what they do, and they are spending more and more time at they office. Couple that with the advent of email, cell phones, BlackBerrys, and pagers, and it seems that many of today’s workers are practically never “off the clock”.
Workplace romances have thus emerged as a hot issue in privacy law, and the courts are increasingly being called on to determine the extent to which employers can regulate the private sexual lives of their employees. The question is complex, and with relationships and careers on the line, the stakes are often high…
Read MoreBoards have proven more willing to sack underperforming CEOs lately, but before taking this ultimate step, directors must ask themselves a few questions. What does our CEO’s contract actually say about dismissal? Can we truly find better leadership than we have now? How can we craft a new CEO agreement to avoid the same problems (and assure better results)?
Suddenly, it seems like open season on high-profile CEOs. Hank Greenberg at AIG . . . Michael Eisner at Disney… Carly Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard… Harry Stonecipher at Boeing. Others, too, have been fired by their boards for reasons ranging from regulatory investigations to poor performance to sex with a co-worker…
Read MoreIf you have been reluctant to address the need for a written employment agreement, that may be because you’re a decent, honest, hardworking person who deals in good faith and only wants to deal with similar people. Perhaps you’re happy having a handshake deal with someone you trust. Or perhaps you have no confidence in your ability to handle the process, and so you avoid it.
Good leaders are trustworthy, and often are trusting in nature. They deal in good faith. They give people the benefit of the doubt until experience teaches them that a particular person is not to be trusted, or until experience makes them cynical. And then, as they should, they lament their cynicism…
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