Lisa V. Ryan

Lisa’s prior work as a policy consultant on labor and employment issues for the California State Legislature gives her a unique insight into the law that she brings to her clients. She is a thoroughly knowledgeable and active counselor in workplace policies, and a strong and effective advocate when claims do arise. In 2017, Lisa presented at the Continuing Education of California Bar’s  Employment Law Practice 2016 Year in Review, an annual forum where respected seasoned litigators analyze and discuss key employment law developments and cases decided in the past year.

Lisa is known for her work in the litigation of wage and hour class action, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, public works/prevailing wage, and labor law issues. She also advises private businesses and public sector clients on a variety of personnel matters, including discrimination and accommodation issues, drug testing, state and federal family leave, workers’ compensation discrimination, and OSHA compliance. Lisa regularly provides AB 1825 sexual harassment training to California supervisors and conducts internal investigations into complaints of workplace harassment and retaliation. She has argued appellate matters before the Third District Court of Appeal and has extensive experience successfully handling administrative appeals. She regularly represents clients before the California Labor Commissioner, EEOC, DFEH, and WCAB.

Prior to her years in the Legislature, she was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve in the Trade and Commerce Agency as a speechwriter and press secretary. She is a graduate of the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she wrote for the California Initiative Review and earned honors in trial advocacy.

Lisa is admitted to practice before all California state courts, as well as the federal courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California.

Results

• Won complete summary judgment on behalf of university against charges of race discrimination and sexual harassment.
• Obtained favorable coverage determination in potential public works case.
• Successfully represented state agency in complex matter of first impression related to applicability of Labor Code 203 to seasonal employees.
• Won labor arbitrations upholding employment terminations by national food processor.
• Obtained favorable trial and appellate court rulings for affordable housing developers in Northern and Southern California.
• Successfully sought dismissal of putative wage and hour class action against electrical contractor.

Publishing

• Podcast: Three Reasons Employers are More Likely to be Sued in California
• The Election Season: Don’t Expect Employees to Leave their Opinions at the Door
• Six New Year’s Resolutions for Employers in ’16!, California Employers Association, 2016, coauthored with Terry Wills
• California’s New Sick Leave Law, A Continuing Challenge Despite Clarifications, SRBX Construction Quarterly, 2015
• California’s Paid Sick Leave Law: Governor Signs Clarifying Legislation
• California Fair Pay Act: Equal Pay for “Substantially Similar Work,” California Employers Association, 2015
• Workplace Bullying: California Supervisors Must Trained to Prevent “Abusive Conduct” on The Job
• Confidentiality and Social Media Policies of Employers Found to Violate Federal Labor Law
• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act: Pre-Employment Physicals Can be a Violation
• It May Be Time for Construction Employers to Ban the Box
• Court Limits Employers’ Ability to Attribute Commissions to Minimum Wage Obligations
• NLRB Rulings Impose Limits on Non-Union Workplaces
• ADA Reasonable Accommodation and Light Duty: Don’t Forget California FEHA

Speaking

• 2017 Labor and Employment Law Update
• Employment Law Practice 2016 Year in Review, Continuing Education Bar of California
• Legislative Update: New Construction Laws in 2016, Federation of California Builders Exchanges
• Legislative Update Webinar: Laying the Foundation for a Successful 2016, Associated Builders and Contractors
• Labor & Employment Legislative Update 2016, Cook Brown Annual Breakfast Forum
• Class Action Litigation in the Public Sector: Top 5 Things Your Agency Can Do to Avoid Class Claims – 2011 CALPELRA Conference
• Television Appearance on NEWS10@9 On the Topic of New Laws
• Other available presentations include:
  • Staying Golden When Doing Business in the Golden State: Tips to Avoiding Employment Lawsuits
  • Weingarten and Other Sorrows: What to do When Your Witness Requests Representation
  • Harassment Prevention Training: Non-Supervisory Employee
  • Old Rules, New Traps for Construction Employers

Community

• Pro Bono Committee of the Sacramento County Bar Association
• Employee Relations Committee of the California Chamber of Commerce
• Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court
• Gordon D. Schaber Mock Trial & Moot Court Competition for High School Students
• Folsom City Library Commissioner (2005 – 2014)
• Voluntary Legal Services Program, Employment Law Clinic
• Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC), Race for Justice Committee
• St. John Notre Dame Advisory Board
• Youth Coach, Little Dribblers Basketball and Middle School Cross Country