Crystal Miller-O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Scottsdale, Arizona, Us

Collaborate with Legal, HR, Compliance, DEI, IT, Risk, Payroll, Finance, and executive teams to manage labor and employment law concerns as they impact business of North American arm of global supply chain leader. Leverage California-specific experience, expand on national/global knowledge of labor and employment law principles, and work closely with local west coast business partners to develop company policies and best practices for 4PL professionals.

Sacramento, California, Us

Appointed by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye of the California Supreme Court, reappointed by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve as 1 of 5 employment lawyer-experts/panelists to the Workplace Conduct Unit (WCU). The WCU is charged with investigating and reviewing employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims alleged against Legislative personnel. Panelists from around the state with different practice area expertise come together to provide a group/panel opinion, commentary, and/or recommendation to the Legislature, WCU, and other stakeholders for formally responding to employee claims.

Sacramento, California, Us

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Access to Justice Commission in November 2021, term will end in October 2023. Nominated by peers to serve as Chair to the Modest Means Subcommittee in July 2022.Also participate on Racial Justice & Intersectionality, Grants & Awards, and Strategic Planning Committees. The mission of the CalATJ commission is to improve access to state resources addressing issues of justice for the most vulnerable Californians, those without the funds to hire a lawyer, which includes people living on low as well as moderate incomes. Modest Means subcommittee focuses on helping those who cannot retain legal resources because they lack the income, do not income-qualify for legal aid services, and/or do not appreciate the risks involved with proceeding in a legal system without representation. A significant number of litigants on court dockets for lengthy periods consist of “modest means” parties. Creating options for helping these litigants connect to navigators, obtain assistance from experts who can help guide them through resolving their legal matters is the key goal of the Modest Means Subcommittee.

Sacramento, California, Us

Appointed by Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr. to serve three consecutive terms on the California Law Revision Commmission. Elected by peers to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair in multiple years. The CLRC is charged with studying and reporting to the Legislature what impact revisions to state laws will have on the practice and enforcement of laws in California. Led and moderated public hearings on proposed revisions that involved multiple stakeholders and attendees at the State Capitol, pursuant to the Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts and parliamentary meeting rules.

Los Angeles, California, Us

Represented single-party plaintiffs in workplace disputes involving challenges to DEI programs, ageism, and intersectionality. Provided labor and employment law counseling to start-ups and construction projects. Served on trial team managing defense of multi-plaintiff lawsuit involving public employees.

Conducted workplace investigations, managed litigation and appeals project work (discovery, appearances, motion/brief drafting, pleadings, trial prep, etc.) and represented select clients in state and administrative civil court matters from initial notice through trial/appeals and final resolution.Also developed risk management programs and led compliance training for HR professionals, manufacturing employees (in coordination with plant or campus-wide safety initiatives), and more. Projects/contract work has included Intuit Inc., Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, University Medical Partners/Stanford Health Care, Hanover Insurance, State of California, probate/trust & estates, educational law, lemon law, personal injury, labor and employment, and criminal defense firm clients.

Mountain View, California, Us

Provided employee relations advice to workplace leaders; collaborated with Human Resources professionals to resolve disputes/concerns; supported executive coaching efforts for people leaders, and contributed to shaping and implementing corporate DEI initiatives and policy drafting across multiple business matrices.

Subject-matter employment law advice counselor to retail, manufacturing, restaurants, non-profits, and entertainment (tv and film production) clients through firm’s Surge program. Drafted articles published on firm’s website, HR forms, employee handbooks, and workplace policies for employers throughout nationwide firm’s practice. Prepared and responded to discovery involving general civil and employment law litigation. Interviewed witnesses, led workplace investigations, and participated in firm’s pro bono projects involving appeals and plaintiff litigation for addressing voting, policing, and restorative justice concerns in collaboration with other Am 100 national firms.

Oakland, California, Us

Served as in-house counsel to medical management arm of Stanford Health Care during critical phase of Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine. Responsible for investigating, mediating, and resolving workplace disputes, advising HR professionals, and drafting workplace policies. Assisted business with developing a remote/hybrid work model for clinicians and staff who were tasked with professionally sourcing group medical facilities located throughout Northern California. Provided Diversity, Equity & Inclusion advice for group in collaboration with hospital foundation; and coordinated group’s application of subject matter advice provided by medical board of directors, outside counsel, Office of General Counsel for Stanford University, hospital foundation’s counsel, and the university’s Risk Management’s counsel.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Managed, led, and drove employee relations services of Human Resources outsourcing company. Responsible for supervising and coaching team members and creating form and content of HR Best Practices and written workplace advice (workplace policies, employee handbooks, legal updates, administrative claim responses, white papers, and start-up company business kits/playbooks). MMChr, provides back-office risk management services, payroll and electronic timekeeping, benefits, and risk consulting to businesses operating in US, Canada, UK, and Asia. Employers from medical, real estate, legal, accounting, restaurants, manufacturing, gaming, and entertainment (tv/film/theatre productions) sectors rely on company’s delivery of services.Earned role of a trusted advisor to CEO and executive team for developing initiatives designed to improve the HR and Employee/Labor Relations bandwidth of clients with leave management, changing reporting structures, reorganizing, managing non-union & unionized workforces and more.Managed caseload of complex litigated matters. Led and curated training materials for people leaders as a separate revenue stream.Promoted from Employment Law Specialist to ultimately oversee all HR consulting advice and legal transactions managed in-house and with outside legal counsel.Thought partner to HR, Benefits, Payroll, Marketing, Sales, IT, Finance, Risk, and Business Operations. Advised on internal HR concerns (e.g., hiring, performance management, and off-boarding).Developed reputation for being a “Fixer”. Established an in-house crises management team and captive law firm for offering specialized legal services. Represented clients in administrative, state, and federal courts in DFEH, FEHA, OSHA, DLSE/DIR, NLRB, Medi-Cal, State Franchise Tax Board, IRS audits and other civil matters. Oversaw and led business expansion of company from local Southern Cal to 26 states nationwide, Mexico, and Canada. Charged with managing real property portfolio.

Chicago, Il, Us

While on sabbatical from Medical Management Consultants, Inc., managed grievances, assisted with leadership transition of MillerCoors to Molson-Coors, and represented management during contract negotiations for Teamsters, IBEW, and United Auto Workers union collective bargaining agreements.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Managed Labor and Employment Law, Real Property, and Commercial Litigation matters for California business clients as a mid-year litigation associate. Managed all phases of trial preparation, depositions, witness canvassing, investigations, drafted briefs and motions, discovery, attended mediations, served as 2nd and 3rd trial chair, and more.

Us

Managed commercial litigation, professional liability, and insurance defense matters for boutique downtown LA law firm.

Portland, Oregon, Us

Summered and landed full-time associate role to begin following judicial clerkship and taking of California State Bar exam. Worked with real property, employment law, and commercial litigation group to manage intellectual property and workplace concerns in both Seattle, WA and Northern California.

Olympia, Wa, Us

Following graduation and Washington Bar Exam, served as Judicial clerk to Justice Faith Ireland on Washington's State Supreme Court (highest court). Drafted decisions published by the majority for matters involving Criminal Procedure, Municipal Law, and Indian Law. Prepared public speeches, talking points, and bench memos/questions for televised hearings. Led tours through Hall of Justice, travelled with justices, and coordinated and assisted Justice Ireland during public appearances.

Portland, Or, Us

Prepared research memo, witnesses, drafted pleadings and discovery responses for City Deputy Attorneys dedicated to responding to labor and employment law matters.

Served as dedicated law clerk to criminal, tax, and complex civil litigation attorneys. Assisted with trial prep for high profile state prosecuted matters.

Salem, Or, Us

Clerked for Governor Kitzhaber's Legal Counsel. Responsible for conducting legal research, tracking legislative bills involving quality of living issues including: housing, transportation, workers' compensation, and labor law. Attended House and Senate hearings on behalf of Governor's Office.

Reno, Nv, Us

Managed litigated Employment Practices and Liability Insurance claims, commercial general liability matters, in addition to serving as workers' compensation insurance claim hearing representative. Served as Claim Unit Supervisor over 5 employees. Slated for promotion as Division Claims Manager prior to attending law school full-time.

Washington, Dc, Us

Assisted with grant writing and planning of fundraising events for non-profit focused on improving rights of disabled persons and passing ADA legislation. Attended Capitol Hill meetings, tracked legislation proposed by US Senator Dole in furtherance of Americans with Disability Act. Planned fund raisers in coordination with Howard University President’s Office.

J.D./C.D.R. - Joint Degree In Law And Certificate In Dispute Resolution, Emphasis In Labor And Employment Law

Post-Graduate, Mpa, Human Resources Management/Public Administration

B.A., Sociology/Psychology