Eric Pines
Eric L. Pines is a prominent federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach with a national reputation for representing federal employees. Formerly a federal employee himself, Mr. Pines now serves as Chief Counsel for AFGE Local 1923 at the Social Security Administration, the largest federal union local in the world, and as in-house counsel for FEMA and various Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs unions. His legal practice has successfully resolved numerous significant cases, including a notable FLSA settlement awarding $16.5 million in unpaid overtime to 3,860 FEMA employees. His firm handles a broad spectrum of federal employee matters, particularly focusing on disability accommodations under the ADA and Federal Employee Disability Retirement when necessary. In addition to his litigation work, Mr. Pines has served as an EEO mediator for the Library of Congress and as an expert witness and technical writer in federal employment law, enhancing his knowledge in EEO and reasonable accommodation issues.
Amanda Moreno
Amanda Moreno is a Supervising Attorney at Pines Federal in Los Angeles. She is incredibly knowledgeable in federal employment law with a decade of experience in handling complex labor disputes. Known for her robust litigation skills combined with compassion and creativity, Amanda has successfully secured substantial settlements for her clients through EEO Hearings, MSPB Hearings, and other federal employee labor arbitration hearings. She provides her clients with a realistic outlook on the success probabilities of their claims while focusing on achieving the best possible outcomes. Amanda’s legal career began after earning her Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, including early experiences at Legal Aid and various court systems in New York. Her exceptional skills quickly led her to leadership roles, culminating in her current position where she manages a team of 18 attorneys.
Daniel Goodkin
Daniel Goodkin has a rich background in both the legal and entertainment industries. A native Californian and UCLA graduate, he began his legal career as a law clerk before pursuing his law degree at Loyola Law School. After initially working in music licensing and business development, he returned to legal practice, focusing on Federal Employee Compensation. Daniel has been a significant figure in workers’ compensation law, serving as President of the FECA Law and Advocacy Group and subsequently playing a leadership role in the Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG). In these positions, he has worked closely with the National Office at OWCP to improve the FECA process for all stakeholders. Daniel is an active presenter on various topics related to federal workers’ compensation and EEO/reasonable accommodation issues, contributing to organizations like the National Employment Lawyer’s Association and Workers Comp Central.
Ronald Ackerman
Ronald P. Ackerman, based in Los Angeles, has carved out a niche in representing public sector employees, particularly in cases related to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and reasonable accommodation issues. After beginning his career as a Special Agent enforcing Immigration laws, Mr. Ackerman took on significant union roles, including Local President and National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees. His union experience encompasses labor arbitrations, grievances, negotiations, and lobbying, which served as a foundation for his legal career after earning his J.D. from Southwestern Law School and admission to the California Bar. Mr. Ackerman’s practice now focuses on representing federal employees across the U.S. in administrative hearings and litigation in federal courts, achieving numerous published decisions.
Jake Finkel
Jake Finkel is a distinguished employment lawyer based in Los Angeles, California, known for his aggressive litigation style and a successful track record that includes over $60 million in case results. He has experience in addressing workplace discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other matters. Jake’s approach to legal advocacy centers on building strong, empathetic relationships with his clients to fully understand and effectively convey their experiences in court. His commitment to representing individuals against powerful entities like insurance companies and large corporations is supported by his dedicated, compassionate staff. Together, they work diligently to advocate for those who are unable to defend themselves, making Jake a notable choice for employment issues, particularly in EEO and reasonable accommodation cases in the Los Angeles area.
Eliott Rushovich
Eliot J. Rushovich is the Managing Partner at Rise Law Firm in Los Angeles, focused exclusively on employees in employment law cases. With a decade of experience, he has represented workers across all levels, from minimum wage hourly workers to top executives at Fortune 500 companies. His experience lies in litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour disputes, including individual and class action lawsuits. He is also adept in conducting confidential out-of-court settlements and mediations for senior-level executives. A recognized leader in the Southern California legal community, Rushovich actively participates in local plaintiff’s employment associations and serves as an expert panelist at employment law seminars.