GENERAL PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Geoffrey F. Gega is a partner in the Santa Ana office, and serves as the firm’s resident partner in its Salinas office. He concentrates his practice in representing employers before the various courts and administrative agencies regarding California and federal employment and labor laws, including wrongful discharge, employment litigation, wage and hour, health and safety, union negotiations and matters before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mr. Gega became associated with Cook Brown, LLP, and its predecessor firm in 1990. He entered into private practice in 1985 and was a partner in an Irvine-based labor and employment law firm. Mr. Gega has been specializing in agricultural labor relations since 1980 and has served as Senior In-House Counsel for Western Growers Association.

Mr. Gega has handled numerous cases before the federal and California courts, the NLRB, the ALRB, other federal and state administrative agencies, the American Arbitration Association, California Mediation Service, as well as private arbitrations. He also is experienced in USDA litigation under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, and in pension withdrawal liability litigation under ERISA.

Mr. Gega regularly presents seminars to employer groups throughout California, and has contributed materials to legal publications, including “The Developing Labor Law,” and various non-legal publications, such as employer association periodicals.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Mr. Gega received his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Administration from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1977. He received his J.D. degree from the University of San Diego in 1980.

PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Gega is a member of the American Bar Association, the California Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Monterey County Bar Association. He is also a member of the ABA and Orange County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Sections. In addition, Mr. Gega is active in several business and service organizations in both Orange and Monterey Counties.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

Mr. Gega is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of California and all other Californian courts. He is also licensed to practice before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and all federal district courts within the State of California.