Lisa’s long-term relationships with her clients are based on trust and an understanding that workplace disputes are generally a distraction pulling business owners and managers away from productively leading their teams. She works to resolve issues promptly so everyone can get back to work and stay focused on keeping daily operations on track.

In times of crisis – whether it’s a harassment, wage and hour PAGA/class action, discrimination, retaliation or a labor law claim – they trust her to explore options that suit their specific situation. They know she will weigh the decision to litigate carefully and if undertaken, budget it for economic efficiency with success defined at the outset.

In addition to employment litigation, Lisa is an experienced investigator called in to serve as a neutral third-party investigator in a variety of workplace complaints.

Before coming to Cook Brown more than twenty years ago, Lisa worked as a policy consultant on labor and employment issues for the California State Legislature. Prior to her years in the legislature, she was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve in the California Trade and Commerce Agency working to keep business in California.

Lisa is admitted to practice before all California state and federal courts. She was also admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in 2024.

When not representing employers, Lisa enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three sons, traveling, skiing, and participating in triathlons, including competing in two full Ironman races.

Results

• Won a complete defense verdict in a 13-day jury trial, successfully defending a major utility employer against age and race discrimination claims as well as failure to engage in the interactive process.

• Successfully sought dismissal of putative wage and hour class action against electrical contractor.

• Won complete dismissal of case on summary judgment on behalf of university and supervisors against charges of race discrimination and sexual harassment.

• Obtained favorable trial and appellate court rulings for affordable housing developers in Northern and Southern California.

• Won labor arbitrations upholding employment terminations by national food processor.

• Successfully represented state agency in complex matter of first impression related to applicability of Labor Code 203 to seasonal employees.

• Obtained favorable coverage determination in potential public works case.

Education

Lisa 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. She is a proud alum of McGeorge’s Capital Center for Government Law and Policy as she attended law school at night while working full-time in the legislature throughout law school. She has stayed active with McGeorge serving on its Alumni Board and volunteering as a mentor for current law students. Prior to law school, Lisa graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in International Relations.

Publishing

• Jury Awards $4 Million for Secondhand Sexual Harassment

• What Should an Employer Do When an Employee’s Social Media Runs Afoul of Its Code of Conduct?

• Aren’t You Ready to Retire?

• Court: Termination Justified After Warning Supervisor Against Unprofessional Behavior Following Investigation

• Leaving Work to Avoid Stress Found Not to Be a Reasonable Accommodation

• How California Employers Have Handled Competition in the Absence of Non-Compete Agreements

• Must Employers Pay When Employees Claim They’re Too Busy for Rest Breaks?

• Owners’ Personal Liability for Minimum Wage Violations  

• “Have a Seat” California Employees!

• Customer’s Solicitation of Male Manicurist Enough to Establish Hostile Work Environment

• PAGA: Employee with Outdated Individual Claim May Proceed with Representative Claim

• Employers Must Provide Notice of Free COBRA Coverage

• ADA Web Accessibility is the Next Frontier of Accommodation Litigation

• Employers May Search Employee Personal Property on Company Premises

• These Boots are Made for Working

• Shhh…Employers Can Ask for Confidentiality in Open Investigations Once Again

• Podcast: The Dirty Secret of Rivals

• Podcast: Employee Travel Time Compensation

• Are You Calculating Overtime Correctly?

• Not Really as Easy as ABC

• Short-Term Layoffs Subject to California WARN Act

• Podcast: Three Reasons Employers are More Likely to Be Sued in California than Employers in Other States

• Rest Break Law Class Actions, California: It Won’t Get Easier

• The Election Season: Don’t Expect Employees to Leave Their Opinions at the Door

• Applicants’ Criminal Background — Just How Far Back Can You Check?, HRCalifornia Extra

• Joint Employment Might Be Your Most Complicated Relationship, HRCalifornia Extra

• Avoiding the Pitfalls of Travel Pay,  CalChamber’s California Employer Update

Speaking

• Annual Legal Update for Sequel Insurance Services

• Mason Contractors Association of California Labor & Employment Webinar

• Handling Leaves of Absences Webinar

• American Association of Political Consultants Webinar – Understanding the Legal Ins-and-Outs of Reducing Your Workforce

• California Chamber of Commerce HR 2019 Symposium

• CalChamber 2018 HR Symposium Presents One Informative Day by San Francisco Bay

• Best Practices for Workplace Investigations, The State Bar of California Association, Intellectual Property Section

• Other available presentations include:

  • Staying Golden When Doing Business in the Golden State: Tips to Avoiding Employment Lawsuits

  • Sexual Harassment Claims – Owners and Executives on the Front Lines

  • Weingarten and Other Sorrows: What to do When Your Witness Requests Representation

  • Old Rules, New Traps for Construction Employers

Community

• Pro Bono Committee of the Sacramento County Bar Association

• Voluntary Legal Services Program, Employment Law Clinic

• 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)

• Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC), Race for Justice Committee

• St. John Notre Dame Advisory Board

• Scouting America, Merit Badge Counselor

• Youth Coach, Little Dribblers Basketball and Middle School Cross Country