Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 Ms. Saal received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Washington in 2009. She received her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco in 2012. She graduated earning Certificates with Distinction in both Litigation and Criminal Law. She was admitted to the California Bar in 2012. During law school, Ms. Saal participated in Mock Trial, competing in a national competition, and took first place in the Spring 2011 Appellate Advocacy Competition. She also earned several academic awards, including the Witkin Award for the highest grade in Evidence. As an attorney, Ms. Saal’s practice emphasizes public entity defense in state and federal court, primarily on behalf of public school districts, handling cases involving personal injury, sexual abuse, alleged civil rights violations, cases involving special education issues, negligent supervision, dangerous condition of public property, and employment discrimination/retaliation/harassment. She has extensive successful motion practice experience, including motions to dismiss, demurrers, motions to strike, and motions for summary judgment. In a recent trial, Ms. Saal obtained a defense verdict on behalf of her client in a $24 million multi-defendant personal injury/dangerous condition of public property trial in Santa Clara County involving a minor plaintiff who suffered catastrophic injuries. Ms. Saal capably represented an ESM public school district client in an appeal from a trial court ruling finding that the Unruh Civil Rights Act does not apply to California public school districts. Ms. Saal briefed and argued successfully in the Court of Appeal, resulting in a ruling upholding the trial court decision. The appellate holding was appealed to the California Supreme Court, where Ms. Saal again prepared the client’s brief and presented oral arguments. In August 2022, the California Supreme Court issued its decision and conclusively established that the Unruh Civil Rights Act is not applicable to public school districts in California. Among other things, the decision serves to protect public school districts from Unruh Act remedies, including treble damages and attorney’s fees. Brennon B. v. Superior Court (2022) 13 Cal.5th 662. This was a case of first impression in the California Supreme Court and stands as a landmark ruling in favor of our client and public school districts statewide. Ms. Saal has conducted several lectures and presentations regarding the Unruh Act and its application to public schools, most recently for Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School, business law class (Political, Regulatory, Ethical and Legal Issues of Business). About Cody Lee Saal www.esmlawfirm.com Cody Lee Saal Associate Edrington, Schirmer & Murphy LLP INSURANCE DEFENSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR Our law firm emphasizes casualty defense for public entities, businesses, individuals, and school districts. The principals of the firm have greater than one hundred years of litigation experience, defending public entities in cases involving dangerous conditions of public property, police excessive force, race and sex discrimination and harassment, employment discrimination, civil rights and inverse condemnation. We also represent insureds in cases involving products liability, complex construction defects, construction site accidents, wrongful death, automobile collisions, premises liability, wrongful termination, real estate transactions, bad faith litigation, commercial transactions and contracts. The firm also regularly represents local housing authorities and private landlords in lease enforcement litigation, including unlawful detainer proceedings resulting from non-payment of rent or violations by tenants of lease terms and obligations. Such representations include court and jury trials and negotiated settlements. Firm Profile 123 USA
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