Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Lieff Cabraser Congratulates Kelly Dermody on Her Installation as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, congratulates Kelly M. Dermody on her installation today as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco (“BASF”) for 2012.

Founded in 1872, BASF serves legal professionals and the community by promoting access to justice and excellence and diversity in the legal profession, and by providing legal and pro bono services to disadvantaged and underserved individuals. A long-time supporter and volunteer of BASF, Ms. Dermody has served on BASF’s Board of Directors since 2005, and has held the leadership positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and President-Elect.

"We are extremely proud that our partner Kelly Dermody has been installed as President to lead one of the nation’s premier bar associations,” stated Steven E. Fineman, Lieff Cabraser’s Managing Partner. "Kelly is deeply committed to the work of BASF and is a passionate advocate for the rights of employees and consumers, civil rights, human rights, increased access to legal services, and initiatives to address hiring, retention, and advancement of attorneys from historically underrepresented groups. She will provide BASF the same outstanding leadership that she provides our firm as a member of our Executive Committee.”

The Chair of Lieff Cabraser’s employment practice group, Ms. Dermody is litigating many of the most significant and challenging employment class action lawsuits in our nation today, including complaints brought by applicants and employees alleging gender and/or race discrimination by nationally prominent corporations, overtime pay lawsuits by workers at leading firms, and ERISA claims on behalf of employees and retirees who have lost retirement funds due to pension plan abuses.

Ms. Dermody also represents consumers in consumer protection cases. California Lawyer magazine awarded her its California Lawyer of the Year Award for her successful prosecution of several class action lawsuits against California’s main hospital chains for charging the uninsured exorbitant and unconscionable prices for medical care. Under settlements in these cases, uninsured patients received over $1 billion in refunds or bill adjustments.

Ms. Dermody has been a leader in organizations devoted to serving the public interest, improving access to justice, and ensuring that the rights of historically disenfranchised persons are protected. In addition to her service as BASF President, Ms. Dermody is a Member of the Governing Council of the ABA's Labor and Employment Law Section and Co-Chair of the Independence of the Judiciary Committee of the National Association of Women Judges. SuperLawyers has recognized Ms. Dermody as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers and Top 50 Female Super Lawyers in Northern California. Best Lawyers has selected her as one of the Best Lawyers in San Francisco for three consecutive years.

Source/Contact:

Steven E. Fineman
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
(212) 355-9500