WHAT'S ANGELA BEEN UP TO?
Angela Alioto is running as a candidate for Mayor of San Francisco in 2003. She is consulting with community leaders and listening to citizens about their concerns for the future of San Francisco. She has always made her decisions by listening to San Franciscans in communities across the city. She is also sharing with them her vision for San Francisco and why she feels she has the skills to take care of San Francisco and the vision to be the mayor.
Angela Alioto is a committed community leader, an accomplished champion for anti-discrimination in the courts of law, a devoted citizen of San Francisco, and a mother. She has always worked to make this a city that respects diversity and is committed to progress and good governance.
Now she needs your help to let more people in San Francisco learn about her vision. To find out how you can help, click "How to Help" button.
Angela Alioto left the San Francisco Board of Supervisors due to term limits in 1997, but she has never stopped fighting for people. Since 1997, Angela has been a successful anti-discrimination attorney. Throughout her legal career, Angela has applied her knowledge of public affairs and real world experience to fight for equality for everyone.
Angela’s distinguished legal career is marked by victories in landmark discrimination cases against major companies including Interstate Brands Corporation (Wonder Bread) and Mary Kay Cosmetics.
Angela received nationwide attention in her victory over Interstate Brands Corporation, ("IBC") the makers of Wonder Bread and Twinkies. During the case Angela, successfully represented eighteen African American men’s claim of racial discrimination. The outcome of the case resulted in the jury awarding the largest monetary damages ever in the history of American civil rights law.
The IBC verdict was named the “Number One Verdict of 2000” by Verdicts and Settlements Magazine. The National Law Journal named Angela, “Litigator of the Month”, in the year 2000. In 2001 she was a finalist for the National Trial Lawyers for Public Justice's “National Trial Lawyer of the Year”. Angela was also honored when she was named as one of California's top 30 women litigators by Verdicts and Settlements Magazine in 2002.
In November 2000, Angela appeared before the United States Supreme Court in the case, Adams v. Circuit City. The suit sought to remove binding arbitration clauses from employment discrimination cases. It was remanded back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals where the Ninth Circuit struck down any binding arbitration clause viewed as “unfair.”
After the ruling, Angela worked with California State Senate President John Burton on legislation codifying the Ninth Circuit's ruling. She also testified before a Senate committee in support of the legislation. The Senate passed the anti-discrimination legislation on May 16, 2002.
In December, 2001, Angela won the case Alioto-Lazio Fish Company v. the Port of San Francisco, where Angela represented her 97 year old Aunt who was the President of Alioto-Lazio Fish Company. This victory ensured that the female owned, historic, fish companies would not be wrongfully evicted from their place of business in favor developing a tourist amusement facility. By challenging the San Francisco Port's attempts to evict these vital businesses, Angela ensured that the fishing industry at the Wharf will continue.
On November 22, 2002, Angela won a disability discrimination case against Mary Kay Cosmetics. While working for the cosmetics company and pregnant with her second child, Angela's client was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mary Kay chose to deny Angela's client disability accommodation during her illness. Angela convinced a conservative Texas jury that Mary Kay Cosmetics’ policy was discriminatory and unfair. As a result of this historic decision, independent contractors now have their civil rights in the employment arena.
Today, Angela continues to fight against discrimination. She has represented clients in cases against major corporations, including Foster Dairy Farms, Dean Foods, Hitachi, United Airlines, California Dairies, Kraft Foods, Sara Lee, and Frito-Lay.
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