Attorneys

Terence J. Cassidy

Very few attorneys in private practice have the opportunity to appear before the United States Supreme Court even once during their career. Mr. Cassidy holds the distinction of not only appearing before that honorable court twice, but also prevailing in both cases. County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833 (1998) involved civil rights issues arising from a police pursuit, and Elk Grove Unified School District v. Michael Newdow, 124 S.Ct. 2301 (2004), which garnered national attention, involved a claim that the recitation of Pledge of Allegiance violated the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution.

Terry's practice consists primarily of defending governmental entities and employees in civil rights and employment cases. His expertise in representing law enforcement agencies is reflected by the many police and sheriff's departments that rely on him for advice, education and representation in litigation. In employment-related litigation, he has handled numerous cases involving claims under the First Amendment, Title VII, the Fair Employment & Housing Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Terry has tried numerous civil rights cases in both state and federal court, and holds the rank of associate in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Prior to joining Porter Scott in 1983, Terry served as an extern to the Honorable William P. Clark of the California Supreme Court and later as a law clerk to the Honorable Philip C. Wilkins, then Chief District Judge of the Eastern District of California. In addition to his trial practice, Terry has handled appeals before that State Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in several published opinions.

• Traynor Honor Society

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Appellate
• Employment
• Employment Practices & Liability Insurance
• Public Entities
• Civil Rights
• Federal Litigation

All California State Courts
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Associate
AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Federal Bar Association
Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity

May It Please the Court: Art of Oral Argument Before the Supreme Court in the Pledge of Allegiance and Other Cases, Sacramento County Bar Association (2009)
Strip Search Litigation, Webinar (2009)
Strip Search Litigation Prevention, CSAC EIA Loss Prevention Services (2007)
Federal Nuts & Bolts: Overview of Federal Practice in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Barristers' Club (2007)
Police Liability in California, Lorman Education Services (2002 to 2004)

Calhoun v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force]
Dunlap v. County of Inyo [Wiretapping/Right to Privacy]
Henry v. California Dept. of Corrections [Whistle-blower/Discrimination]
Jablonsky v. County of Solano [Failure to Warn/Wrongful Death]
Jones v. County of Vallejo [Excessive Force/Wrongful Death]
Lindemans v. County of San Luis Obispo [False Arrest/Excessive Force]
Mahon v. County of Sacramento [First Amendment/ Unlawful Search/Arrest]
Millican v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force/Wrongful Death]
Minick v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force/Wrongful Death]
Oakleaf v. County of Sierra [Unlawful Search/False Arrest]
Pierro v. County of Sacramento [Inverse Condemnation]
Wagenseller v. County of Butte [Discrimination/Unlawful Search/Arrest]

Blanford v. Sacramento County, 406 F.3d 1110 (9th Cir. 2005)
Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, 124 S.Ct. 2301 (2004)
Robinson v. Solano County, 229 F.3d 931 (9th Cir. 2000)
Sacramento County v. Lewis, 118 S.Ct. 1708 (1998)