The Stokes Wagner team has defeated claims of discrimination, harassment and wage violations against the storied Beverly Hills Hotel. The claimant was a former employee of The Beverly Hills Hotel Logo Shop who was terminated for cause. She alleged that during her employment, she was subject to rampant use of racial slurs, including the “N-Word,” by Hotel management and fellow employees. She also claimed that she suffered from race-based favoritism and that she was ultimately terminated because of her race. She also claimed that the Hotel failed to provide her with required rest breaks and to pay her for all hours worked. Claimant sought damages for lost income, emotional distress, unpaid wages, related penalties, and attorneys’ fees.

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The New Hampshire Supreme Court, on March 8, in the case of Anderson v. Robitaille and Homewood Suites by Hilton [Case No. 2017-0195]{:target=”blank”} issued a ruling that clarifies the respective rights of hotels and guests when a guest resides for a lengthy period of time in an all-suites, extended-stay hotel.

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The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) welcomed Hayden Pace (CEO, Stokes Wagner, ALC) among twenty-four hospitality consultants qualified by their expertise and reputation in its 2017 membership class.

ISHC is the leading source for global hospitality expertise. Membership in ISHC is by invitation only, and members are viewed as leaders in their respective areas of expertise. Candidates for membership undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues.

Hayden Pace is the Chief Executive Officer of Stokes Wagner, a law firm dedicated to providing the hospitality industry with “white glove” legal services. Hayden was raised in New York and currently resides in Atlanta. He regularly lectures nationally and internationally, and has the privilege of working with hotel clients around the world.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (8/8/16): In a two-week arbitration before retired Judge Luis Cardenas, the Stokes Wagner team successfully defeated the claims of Nino O’Brien, former sommelier at the legendary Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Mr. O’Brien claimed he was improperly classified as a manager since the start of his employment in 2008 and, therefore, was owed $216,743.57 for unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, and liquidated damages. 

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LOS ANGELES, CA (6/14/16): After a three-week trial, a Los Angeles jury returned a rare defense verdict in favor of Hotel Bel-Air and its Wolfgang Puck Restaurant. Seeking $5.1 Million in compensatory damages plus punitive damages, Carney Shegerian and his team of three lawyers and other technical support staff – California plaintiffs’ attorneys advertising a 95% success rate – was defeated by Stokes Wagner, including Arch Stokes, Peter Maretz, Diana Dowell, Adam Parry, Shirley Gauvin and paralegal Eleanor McCloskey. Mr. Stokes asked the jury to award Zero, and that is what they did.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (8/5/14): A Los Angeles Superior Court Jury rendered a verdict in favor of The Beverly Hills Hotel and its former General Manager Alberto del Hoyo, defendants in a lawsuit by former Area Director of Sales Tim Dupree, Sommelier Niño O’Brien and former Hostess Wendy Giron. Plaintiffs sought $12.5 million in economic, emotional distress and punitive damages. The jury awarded the plaintiffs nothing. 

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