Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez LLP

Mildred K O'Linn
Partner based in the Los Angeles Office
801 S. Figueroa Street 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213)624-6900

Mildred K. O'Linn is a partner is the Los Angeles office of Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez LLP. Ms. O'Linn has an unparalleled background as an attorney and technical expert in police civil liability, police training and tactics, sexual harassment and employment litigation, and the defense of municipal entities. Ms. O'Linn received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in Akron, Ohio (1986) and her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the Honors College, Kent State University in Kent, Ohio (BS, cum laude, 1982). Ms. O'Linn is licensed to practice law in California, Texas, and Ohio.

In addition to her varied civil practice as a trial attorney, Ms. O'Linn was a police officer for eight years at the Kent State University Police Department. Subsequently, she served as the legal and technical advisor for the Law Enforcement Television Network, Inc. In February 1992, she was appointed as a member of the "Use of Force Committee" of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. She also served as a member of the committee to develop a "Use of Force Model Policy" for the California Peace Officers' Association, a member of the Los Angeles Police Department Use of Force Training Review Committee, and served on the Los Angeles Police Department's Civilian Martial Arts Advisory Panel. While a police officer, Ms. O'Linn served as the chairperson of Unarmed Self-Defense for Basic Police Training for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council. As a recognized expert in the use of force, Ms. O'Linn has served as an expert witness in civil litigation and has been called upon by numerous agencies across the country to serve as a consultant on policy formulation and review of high profile incidents, and on police training issues and procedures. She also has the distinction of being one of the original founding members of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers in 1987, serving as the original legal advisor and subsequently serving as a member of the Executive Board from 1992 to 2001.

One of the unique aspects of Ms. O'Linn's background is her extensive defensive tactics knowledge combined with her experience managing a regional police academy, basic and in-service training programs, and a field training officer program. Ms. O'Linn has been previously certified as an instructor and instructor- trainer in numerous police self-defense systems, including pressure point control tactics and police physical fitness. In addition, she is certified as an International PR-24 police baton instructor and a National Instructor in the Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint System. She is also a certified TASER instructor. Ms. O'Linn has instructed numerous seminars in sexual harassment in law enforcement, civil liability, expert witness preparation and expert witness testimony, use of force, as well as hands on physical skills training for instructors, supervisors/management, and line personnel from state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

Ms. O'Linn has received awards and acknowledgments for excellence in representation and for her contributions to the defense of the law enforcement community from various agencies and was the Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff's Association recipient of the Award for Civilian Leadership in 2005. She is frequently invited to address law enforcement personnel throughout the country on subjects such as civil liability, use of force, and expert witness preparation.

In addition to her practice in the area of civil rights litigation involving law enforcement issues, Ms. O'Linn has extensive experience representing governmental agencies, private employers, and individuals in medical malpractice and employment discrimination litigation. She has handled cases dealing with a variety of issues, including medical malpractice and wrongful death; sexual harassment and gender discrimination; sexual orientation discrimination; racial discrimination; retaliation; physical disability; and age discrimination.

As TASER International's attorney for all ECD litigation in California, in 2006 she was requested to take over their defense in a highly notable products liability case just 10 days before trial. Plaintiffs' counsel were accomplished civil rights litigators who had been preparing the civil rights case for years involving a man who died after police enforcement restrained him by administering a TASER electronic control device. This matter was exceptionally significant because it was the first products liability claim to go to trial against TASER in conjunction with a claim against a law enforcement agency. The significance of the case was amplified by nationwide media attention and controversy regarding the use of TASER devices. Given the eminence of TASER International and the Los Angeles Police Department, the loss of this first case would have guaranteed worldwide implications for the manufacturer and law enforcement.

As TASER's counsel, Ms. O'Linn was not able to utilize the experts previously designated on behalf of the defendant. Additionally, the CEO of the corporation who designed the device, held the patent, and wrote the bulk of the training manuals was not previously designated as an expert. Thus, presentation of critical information had to be carefully crafted to avoid and overcome potential objections without a single expert designated on behalf of the manufacturer. Ultimately, in November 2006, a defense verdict was rendered on behalf of the LAPD and TASER.