Attorneys

The founder of our firm, Jacqueline deSouza possesses over 20 years of experience handling transactional and litigation matters in business and employment law.

Successful and effective in handling employment claims through trial, Ms. deSouza also provides pre-litigation counseling to businesses with regard to contracts, handbooks and policies, wage and hour issues, and benefits; and conducts workplace investigations. She also has served as a hearing officer for due process hearings.

In addition, Ms. deSouza handles traditional business disputes such as contract disputes, business interference claims including restraint of trade, and infringement disputes. She has been lead counsel on complex court and jury trials lasting over three weeks.

Ms. deSouza provides strategic planning for business growth as well as for unwinding business entities. She counsels clients in: entity formation; contracting, including licensing and manufacturing agreements; and development of internal policies for corporate compliance and governance. Ms. deSouza has expertise counseling health care entities with regard to corporate compliance, peer review, and anti-referral/anti-kickback laws.

Ms. deSouza clerked for the Hon. Clinton White (dec.), First Appellate District.

Education:

• J.D., University of California, Hastings College, 1987;
• B.A. with honors, George Mason University, 1984.

Professional Affiliations:

• State Bar of California;
• San Francisco Bar Association;
• American Health Lawyers Association.

Seminars Presented:

• Tax Consequences of Employment Claims Settlement;
• Accepting and Rejecting Tenders of Defense and Indemnity;
• Independent Counsel - Care and Feeding of Independent Counsel;
• A Blueprint to Case Resolution - Benefit Denial in Managed Healthcare;
• Credentialing in Modern Health Care;
• Legal Issues Facing Developing Occupational Managed Care Systems; and
• Legal Issues in Utilization Review.

Publications:

• Spreading Risk In Provider Payment Arrangements; 
• Physicians Practices In A Managed Care System; and
• HIPPA: Practical Implementation for Management Networks.