Our Team
Allison J. Fernandez
Senior Attorney
Phone: 510-343-3511
Fax: 713-337-8850
Email: allison.fernandez@mhllp.com
Office Location: Northern California
Allison J. Fernandez is a Senior Attorney in the firm’s Oakland office. Allison has experience representing corporate clients, government entities, and individuals engaged in a wide variety of complex civil and commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts. Allison’s practice focuses on insurance litigation, employment, and general commercial litigation.
Allison has experience handling claims involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability accommodation, wrongful termination, medical leave issues, and wage and hour claims. She has successfully defended employers in a wide range of industries, including temporary staffing agencies, multi-national corporations, homeowners’ associations, and professional services firms.
Allison also has extensive experience representing retailers, debt collectors, and other businesses in consumer class action litigation, including claims arising under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), California’s Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA), the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (“COPPA”), and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Prior to joining McDowell Hetherington, Allison practiced with a national law firm, where she represented clients in state and federal courts in complex commercial litigation, consumer protection and class action defense, data privacy, employment, and intellectual property matters.
Outside the office, Allison enjoys hiking, swimming, and exploring the East Bay with her husband and young daughter.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
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- Obtained complete summary judgment ruling on behalf of life insurer client on claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and conspiracy.
- Obtained dismissal of claims in federal suit against major insurance company client involving claims of fraud, negligence, and negligent misrepresentation.
- Successfully defeated class certification on behalf of major financial services institution in class action litigation arising out of claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
- Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of major accounting firm matter involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination asserted by former employee.
- Representation of national staffing agency in defense of claims of disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and unpaid wages brought by former employee; obtained favorable settlement following briefing of motion for summary judgment.
- Negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of software company in case involving claims of age discrimination, harassment, and constructive termination.
- Defeated motion for preliminary injunction in federal suit against government entity client involving claims for trademark infringement and federal unfair competition; obtained favorable settlement of case following briefing of motion for summary judgment.
- Obtained complete dismissal, with prejudice, of claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and unfair competition brought against medical device manufacturer client.
- Secured voluntary dismissal, with prejudice, of claims against realtor client involving allegations of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Nationwide defense of multiple clients concerning class action and individual claims under the TCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
- Representation of software companies in contract disputes involving various software products.
- Representation of clothing and apparel designers, manufacturers, and retailers in copyright infringement litigation.
ADMISSIONS
- California
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
EDUCATION
- University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 2010
- San Diego State University, B.A., Psychology, 2004