Representative Cases
I have considerable experience in employment law, including wrongful discharge, sex, race, and other forms of discrimination, labor law, employee benefits, “whistleblower” cases, lead poisoning cases and other personal injury cases.
On October 1, 2009, a District of Columbia jury awarded my client, Professor Sybil Roberts-Williams $582,400 in an employment breach of contract, pregnancy discrimination and denial of tenure case after a thirteen day trial. Roberts-Williams v. Howard University, Civil No. 2006 CA 009196 B (D.C. Superior Court).
In March 1999, after an eleven day trial, a jury in Oakland California awarded a young airline pilot I represented, Kathleen Betts, over $1.5 million in an employment, sex discrimination and defamation case against United Airlines. Betts v. United Airlines, Inc., Dkt. 97-4329 (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ca.).
Over the last fifteen years I have also developed expertise in toxic tort and other complex personal injury cases, especially childhood and workplace lead poisoning cases. I have recovered well over $15 million on behalf of lead poisoned children in over two dozen cases, including a jury verdict for over $1.6 million in April, 2000, after an eight day jury trial in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Gomez v. Atlantic Realty, Civ. 97-1151 (D.C. Sup. Ct.). That is still the largest verdict or recovery for a lead poisoned child in the District of Columbia.
In 2003, I settled before trial a premises liability case for almost $2 million, and I also represented a group of people forced from their homes by a gasoline spill from a gas station that resulted in a multimillion dollar settlement before trial in 2002.
Some of My Representative Cases:
1. Roberts-Williams v. Howard University,Civil No. 2006 CA 009196 B (D.C. Superior Court, October 1, 2009). Represented the plaintiff in a two week jury trial on pregnancy discrimination and breach of contract claims in a denial of tenure case. The jury awarded Professor Roberts-Williams $582,400.00 on her breach of contract claims. Jury verdict and judgment affirmed on appeal. Howard University v. Roberts-Williams, 37 A.3d 896 (DC Court of Appeals, 2012).
2. Gomez v. Atlantic Realty, Civ. 97-1151 (D.C. Sup. Ct., 2000). Represented plaintiffs in a toxic tort, lead-poisoning case. First chair in eight day trial resulting in a $1.65 million jury verdict for the plaintiffs. To date, this is the largest verdict and recovery for a lead-poisoned child in the District of Columbia. In lieu of an appeal by the Defendants, we accepted $1.4 million in settlement after judgment was entered on the jury verdict. I have represented lead-poisoned children in many cases and have recovered over $15 million for these children.
3. United States ex rel. Daniel v. Harris Corporation,Civ. 98-1727a (U.S. Dist. Ct., E.D. Va., 1999). Represented plaintiffs in a Federal False Claims Act case. First chair in an eight day jury trial. Substantial settlement reached during defendant’s case.
4. Betts v. United Airlines, Civ. 97-4329W (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ca., 1999). Represented plaintiff in a sex discrimination and defamation case. First chair in an eleven day jury trial. $1.5 million verdict for plaintiff. Affirmed on appeal, Betts v. United Airlines, 246 F.3d. 672 (9th Cir., 2000).
5. United States ex rel. Rudd v. General Contractors, Inc., Civ. 89-821-WFN (U.S. Dist. Ct., E.D. Wa., 1993). Represented plaintiffs in a Federal False Claims Act case. Summary judgment granted finding 150 violations worth up to $1.5 million in statutory penalties and $45,000 in trebled damages. Negotiated settlement.
6. Smith v. Union Labor Life Insurance Company,620 A.2d. 265 (D.C. App., 1993). Represented ULLICO in breach of employment contract, wrongful discharge and sex discrimination case. Summary judgment for ULLICO, upheld on appeal.
7. Arakelian v. National Western Life Insurance Company, 724 F. Supp. 1033 (D.D.C., 1989); 680 F. Supp. 400 (1987). Represented plaintiffs in a case claiming breach of ERISA fiduciary duties in the structure and administration of a pension plan for non-union workers. Multi-million dollar settlement for 7,000 plan participants.
8. Biel v. Air Line Pilots Association, Civ. LJ-2160-3 (Cir. Ct., Richmond, Va., 1986). Represented ALPA, first chair in a three day jury trial. Verdict for ALPA.
9. Ozark Air Lines v. Air Line Pilots Association, 761 F.2d 1259 (8th Cir. 1985)(en banc) aff’g Air Line Pilots Association v. Ozark Air Lines, 577 F. Supp. 487 (E.D. Mo., 1983), cert. den. 106 S. Ct. 232 (1985). Successfully represented ALPA in a suit to enforce a System Board of Adjustment award. Briefed and argued in the District Court, and on appeal before the panel and the Court of Appeals en banc. The award was enforced by the courts.
10. Brott v. Pacific Southwest Airlines and Southwest Flight Crew Association, Civ. 431087 (Ca. Sup. Ct., San Diego County, 1984). Defended SFCA in suit claiming breach of duty of fair representation in negotiating changes to pilot retirement plans. First chair in eight week jury trial. Verdict for SFCA.
11.Loveless v. Eastern Airlines and Air Line Pilots Association, 681 F.2d 1272 (11th Cir., 1982). In an ERISA case, successfully briefed and argued the appeal, judgment for ALPA.
12.Various Airline Labor Arbitrations (1988-1993), Complex arbitrations regarding interpretation of pension plan; veteran’s seniority rights; and seniority integration.
Contact The Firm
Law Office of Daniel S. Kozma
2120 L. Street, N.W.
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-969-2223
Fax: 202-822-3999