Graham M. Helm

• Second-chaired arbitration involving claims of whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination brought by a former manager, and counterclaims of trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract. Secured a final arbitration award in favor of client on all claims.
• Defended U.S. based semiconductor company against claims of hostile work environment based on race and sex, discrimination based on race and sex, and retaliation brought by employee of affiliated German corporation in the Northern District of California. Secured dismissal of action under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.
• Second-chaired an arbitration and obtained a complete defense award for an automotive company involving claims of race harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and wage-and-hour issues.
• Defended national security contractor against disability discrimination and failure to accommodate claims brought by former systems engineer in the Northern District of California. Successfully dismissed all claims at summary judgment, which the Ninth Circuit affirmed.  Walker v. National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, No. 21-cv-09037-WHA (N.D. Ca. Aug. 10, 2023).
• Defended automotive company against claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation brought by former employee. Successfully dismissed all claims in state court action via motion for judgment on the pleadings.
• Argued and secured orders in favor of client opposing anti-SLAPP motion and motion to return arbitral jurisdiction to state court in trade secret misappropriation action.
• Secured order compelling individual arbitration on behalf of national real estate company in class action brought by former real estate agents alleging to have been misclassified as independent contractors.  Negotiated voluntary dismissal of claims.
• Secured numerous favorable settlements through direct negotiations and mediation.
• Obtained summary judgment for a preeminent healthcare system in a case where the plaintiff alleged retaliation in violation of California Labor Code section 1102.5, retaliation in violation of the California Family Rights Act, disability discrimination, retaliation in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation in violation of FEHA, and wrongful termination in violation of public policy.
• Successfully represented a community health center as a third party to a contentious discovery dispute in an antitrust action.
• Secured a complete success on appeal for a prominent national law firm. The California Court of Appeal overturned the jury verdict on the common count of mistake claim against the client and affirmed the defense verdicts on the claims of legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair competition.
• Obtained a complete defense verdict at trial involving claims of false advertising, and then successfully defended the verdict on appeal.
• Second-chaired an arbitration for a nightclub involving claims of unpaid wages and retaliation.

Education

• J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2016
• B.S., Arizona State University, 2012

Admission to Practice

• California
• U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

• Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco
• Bar Association of San Francisco
• California Lawyers Association

• Employment Law Briefing – “Headline News: Recent Updates on California Law” – San Francisco – April 2024
• Managing a Workforce Seminar  – “Violence in the Workplace” – San Francisco – October 2023
• Ogletree Deakins Briefing – “Substance Abuse Policies Under California’s New Marijuana Anti-Discrimination Law” – San Francisco – April 2023
• Managing a Workforce Seminar – “2023 California Legislative Update” – San Francisco – October 2022

• Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024)