Represent private corporations, universities, and business of all sizes in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases, including cases involving allegations under FEHA, ADA, FERPA, ADEA, FLSA, Title VII, and Title IX. Engage in informal resolution of administrative or pre-litigation matters when appropriate, including attending and representing clients in mediations with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), EEOC, and with private mediators. Represent clients in front of California DLSE and other agencies in wage and hour matters. Provide objective and privileged analysis to clients to analyze the impacts of employment decisions, risks of litigation, mitigation strategies, and potential outcomes. Provide advice and counsel to employers and management with respect to policies, hiring, terminations, internal investigations, leaves of absence, engaging in the interactive process, accommodations, and wage/hour audits. Guide clients on protocols for COVID-19-related employment decisions, including vaccination policies, mass layoffs, WARN Act implications, furloughs and layoffs, safety protocols, health screenings, and ensuring compliance with state and local requirements for operations. Review and analyze internal complaints and grievances within the context of union grievances and civil litigation. Conduct internal investigations on behalf of employers into allegations of wrongful conduct in the workplace, including interviewing claimants and witnesses and preparing investigative reports on findings of fact to analyze whether company policies and/or applicable laws were violated. Draft and review position statements to CRD and EEOC and respond to departments’ requests for information. Conduct mediations and engage in settlement negotiations with opposing counsel and unrepresented parties. Work as part of a collaborative team to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to formulate litigation and arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, and solutions.

Analyzed, investigated, and made university policy violation findings/no findings in protected class discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints filed by faculty, staff, and students, including complaints under Title VII and IX. Engaged with claimants, respondents, and human resources partners to provide interim measures and remedial action while investigations are pending. Adhered to applicable and complex university policies and procedures for conducting investigations. Memorialized all interviews and meetings with claimants, respondents, and witnesses. Drafted and issued comprehensive and lengthy written investigative reports and policy violation letters to parties and university officials. Worked collaboratively with Department of Student Affairs, Department of Public Safety, Provost’s Office, Deans’ offices, Human Resources, Disability Services and Programs, and other campus offices and administrators to ensure faculty, students, and staff are provided with all appropriate resources and appropriate sanctions are issued. Provided training on obligations and responsibilities of university to accommodate employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law, including how to respond when notified of an employee’s need for reasonable accommodations, how to engage in the interactive process, and how to analyze whether an employee is a qualified individual who can perform the essential functions of his/her/their position, with or without accommodations. Provided advice, training, and educational programs on equity and diversity matters, discriminatory practices, and required anti-harassment training required by state law to faculty and staff during employee orientations and as requested by various colleges and departments.

Analyzed, investigated, and resolved all discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints from faculty, staff, and students, including complaints under Title IX. Engaged with claimants and respondents to provide interim measures and remedial action while investigations were pending. Adhered to applicable university policies and procedures for conducting investigations. Memorialized all interviews and meetings with claimants, respondents, and witnesses. Drafted and issued comprehensive written investigative reports, closure letters, and climate assessments. Made recommendations to appropriate office or administrator on appropriate sanctions for violations of university policy. Worked collaboratively with Office of Student Conduct, Police Services, Provost’s Office, Human Resources, Disability Resource Center, and other campus offices and administrators to ensure faculty, students, and staff were provided with all appropriate resources. Drafted position statements on behalf of university in response to administrative complaints from the EEOC, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC). Engaged in the interactive process with faculty and staff to provide and issue reasonable accommodations under the ADA. Reviewed state and federal draft legislation relating to Title IX and campus safety, such as the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA), to provide input to members of Congress and the Department of Education about potential ramifications of proposed legislation and regulations. Assessed employee concerns and made recommendations to remediate climate and equity concerns within new School of Medicine. Provided advice, training, and educational programs on equity and diversity matters, discriminatory practices, Title IX, and best hiring practices to faculty, staff, and students during student/employee orientations and as requested by various colleges and departments.

Provide advice and counsel to employers and management with respect to policies, internal investigations, leaves of absence, and wage/hour audits. Draft and review position statements to DFEH and EEOC and respond to departments’ requests for information. Advise clients and managers on hiring, terminations, severance and potential post-severance issues. Handle and manage all aspects of civil lawsuits and administrative complaints on behalf of employers and individual defendants in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other types of employment litigation. Draft and argue various motions and pleadings, including demurrers, motions to compel, and motions for summary judgment. Take and defend depositions of individual plaintiffs, defendants, and third party witnesses. Meet with clients and propound and respond to discovery. Conduct mediations and engage in settlement negotiations with opposing counsel. Draft detailed reports and budgets, employee handbooks, and research memorandums for clients. Provide information and advice to clients and colleagues regarding new or revised laws and policies. Participate in and lead training for firm employees on harassment and discrimination prevention in the workplace and AB1825 training. Participate with Summer Associate program, including mentoring summer associates and advising summer associates regarding difficulties with given tasks and potential solutions. Conduct internal investigations on behalf of firm and firm clients into allegations of wrongful conduct in the workplace, including interviewing complainants and witnesses and reporting findings of fact and analyze whether company policies and/or applicable laws were violated.

Drafted and revised employee handbooks and other personnel policies in order to ensure compliance with California and other applicable law. Analyzed fact-specific situations with employees and advised whether leaves of absence, returns to work, and requests for accommodations are being handled in compliance with applicable laws. Handled all aspects of civil lawsuits and administrative complaints on behalf of employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other types of employment litigation.