Mark J. Bluer, Esq.

mbluer@bluerlaw.com

In his over 20 years of practicing law, Mark J. Bluer has had a broad range of legal experience, in both the United States and in China. After four years of intensive work experience as an insurance defense litigator at a San Francisco-based law firm, Mark shifted his focus to China-related law so as to capitalize on his fluency in Mandarin Chinese (both written as well as spoken). From 1995 - 2000, Mark practiced as a foreign lawyer in Beijing, China, where he advised clients in the areas of direct foreign investment, joint venture formation, technology transfer, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and information technology. Upon returning to the United States in 2000, Mark became the founding partner of Bluer & Bluer, LLP (formally, "Pacific Century Law Group"), where he represents individuals and businesses in employment matters, personal injury cases and business related lawsuits.

Mark graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1984 with a double major in Business Economics and History. In 1985-86, he underwent an intensive course in Mandarin Chinese at the Taipei Language Institute. In 1990, Mark received his J.D. degree from Santa Clara University, School of Law.

Mark J. Bluer's Involvement in China

• Has been speaking and reading Chinese for over 20 years; lived abroad in China and Taiwan for 7 years.
• Has represented Chinese individuals and businesses both in the United States and China for the past 20 years.
• Has extensive legal experience assisting businesses in direct foreign investments in China.
• Served as Chief Editor of the General Motor's sponsored English Translation of the Contract Law of the People's Republic of China.
• Served as an Independent Director and Corporate Secretary for AXM Pharma, Inc., a corporation listed on the American Stock Exchange ("AXJ"), which manufactures and sells pharmaceutical products in China (2004-2006.)

Susan G. Bluer, Esq.

sgbluer@bluerlaw.com

For over 25 years, Susan G. Bluer has practiced employment law in California. Her strong employer-side background includes a dozen years in major Los Angeles and San Francisco law firms as well as in-house corporate experience. She has tried cases before juries in both state and federal courts and has represented many clients through Alternative Dispute Resolution in arbitration and mediation.

Susan's solid employer-side background is her biggest asset when she represents individual employees. This experience allows Susan to quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential cases and to give her clients solutions that are practical and realistic. Often, she is able to resolve a case prior to filing a lawsuit through well-reasoned demand letters and negotiations. Those cases that go to litigation are handled aggressively and strategically through resolution.

Susan G. Bluer's Clients

Susan enjoys representing clients from a variety of backgrounds. While many of her clients are individuals who hold mid and senior level management or professional positions, she also represents clients with less education who in many instances are more vulnerable to employer abuses. Some of her clients are located out of state or, in some instances, out of the country, but rely on Susan to provide reliable advice and counsel on their California employment law concerns.

Susan also has a number of small business and non-profit clients who trust her perspective and appreciate her no nonsense approach to resolving employee disputes without protracted litigation wherever possible.

Here are some excerpts from a few client "Thank-you" notes:

"This was the first time I retained a lawyer, and although I was a bit hesitant at first, your clear and thorough explanation of how these types of cases generally play out, and of what I could likely expect to happen in my particular situation, put me at ease and gave me the confidence to proceed."

"I just want to thank you for being such a great lawyer. I couldn't do this without your help."

"The fact that you were able to secure a favorable resolution to an impossible situation still amazes me. As important though was the support and unwavering commitment you provided through a very difficult time. You are my hero!"

"Thanks for taking care of our needs so quickly and professionally. We are fortunate to have you for our legal needs!"

Professional Activities (partial list):

• Bar Association of San Francisco, Labor Law Referral Panel (2001-Present)
• BALIF, Chair Judiciary Committee (2009-2014)
  
• ACLU, Northern California Lawyers' Council (1999-2011)
• California Women Lawyers, Board Member (2001-2003)
• City College of San Francisco, Guest Speaker in Human Resources Classes (2000-Present)

Professional Publications:

• "Eliminating Sexual Orientation Bias," California Lawyer, June 1998
• "After Ellen, What Next?: Understanding and Responding to Sexual Orientation Bias in the Workplace," California Labor and Employment Law Quarterly, Winter 1998

Education

• J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law (1986)
• B.A., University of California, Berkeley (1983)