DHS ALLOWS USE OF AN EAD PAPER APPROVAL - Key Persons


Adelyn M. Vigran

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Adelyn M. Vigran defends and advises California businesses in all aspects of labor and employment law. Vigran represents employers in litigation matters in state and federal courts across California, as well as in front of administrative agencies and arbitrators. Her employment litigation experience involves claims of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, trade secret theft, unfair competition, and wage and hour violations. Vigran advises clients on the plethora of human resource issues facing employers, such as termination, employee discipline, worker classification, personnel policies, workplace investigations, wage and hour matters, and compliance with state and federal employment laws.

Alessandra C. Whipple

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Alessandra C. Whipple advises and represents clients in matters involving California labor and employment law. Whipple is experienced in advising and defending various employment disputes involving claims of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and retaliation, breach of contract, unfair competition, trade secrets, and whistleblower claims. Whipple's practice includes providing significant pragmatic day-to-day advice and counseling to companies on how to navigate California's ever-changing labor and employment law landscape. Combining business and legal acumen, she counsels clients on compliance strategies and implementation to enable them to take a proactive approach to mitigate the risks and costs associated with employment matters. Prior to joining private practice, Whipple served as in-house counsel for Opus Bank, a California publicly traded financial institution, advising on matters concerning public disclosure, corporate strategy, and labor and employment issues.

Alison L. Tsao

Job Titles:
  • Office Managing Partner
  • San Francisco Office Managing Partner
She also has two decades of experience successfully defending management in wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions, and remains in the forefront of this evolving area by advancing new legal theories. Tsao is one of a few California attorneys who has taken this type of complex case all the way to trial and through various levels of appeals. She was also a key member of the trial and appellate team that secured the seminal California Supreme Court decision in Duran v. U.S. Bank, 59 Cal.4th 1 (2014), which helped shape class certification and trial management principles in exemption cases, particularly in the areas of statistical sampling and representative testimony. Tsao cemented that victory when she again defeated class certification after the case was remanded to the trial court, which was affirmed on appeal in a decision that discussed the weaknesses and unreliability of survey methodology in these types of exemption cases, Duran v. U.S. Bank, 19 Cal.App.5th 630 (2018). Tsao successfully represents employers before administrative agencies, California state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in arbitrations. She aggressively pursues early resolution on favorable terms whenever possible, whether through ADR or by dispositive motions, and is known for her tough negotiation skills. In addition, Tsao regularly provides training and advice to clients in the areas of risk management and litigation avoidance, keeping them informed of changing laws and best practices in the challenging California legal climate.

Amy S. Williams

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Amy S. Williams represents local, regional and national employers in all aspects of California employment law and related litigation. Her practice has a special emphasis on aggressively defending wage and hour class action and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits. In fact, Williams is one of the few attorneys who has litigated a PAGA claim through trial. She successfully manages and defends sophisticated and complex employment litigation matters using cutting edge and creative defense strategies. Clients rely on her ability to evaluate the merits of the underlying claims and prepare potential exposure analyses, assess and develop early procedural, litigation and resolution strategies, and identify considerations regarding the effect a lawsuit may have on the company's operations, as well as any impact in the areas of the media and competition. In addition to her class action experience, Williams also has extensive experience litigating and arbitrating claims of individual wage and hour violations, gender, disability and age discrimination, retaliation, harassment, defamation and wrongful termination. Williams frequently assists California employers with litigation avoidance strategies by developing, implementing, and auditing their employment policies and practices, and providing invaluable strategic recommendations. She also provides ongoing advice, counsel and training to ensure her clients maintain policies, practices and procedures in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. When clients partner with Williams, whether defending complex litigation matters or preparing policies and procedures to ensure compliance, they know they have a true business partner in their corner.

Ashley A. Halberda

Job Titles:
  • Orange County Office Co - Managing Partner
Ashley A. Halberda advises and represents clients in matters involving California labor and employment law. During her years of practice, Halberda has gained extensive experience in representing employers before state, federal and appellate courts in various employment disputes involving claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour violations for clients in the banking, retail, insurance, food and beverage, hospitality and manufacturing industries. Defending clients against class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters is a considerable part of Halberda's practice. She has an undefeated record at trial, as well as on appeal. Her trial experience consists of defending high profile retail and bank clients against claims of misclassification of employees. She has also been successful at arbitration. In addition to her litigation practice, Halberda plays a critical advisory role to California employers. As she counsels clients on business strategies to ensure compliance with the daunting array of employment laws regulating California businesses, she becomes an extension of her clients' management team and a true business partner. Her proactive approach alleviates her clients' worries and staves off potential costly future litigation.

Ashley N. Lopeztello

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Ashley N. Lopeztello provides litigation and advisory services to private and public sector clients throughout California. She is a passionate lawyer who is committed to zealously advocating for her clients. Ashley has been involved in cases at various stages, including written discovery, depositions, law and motion practice, arbitrations, administrative hearings, mediations, and trials. She has defended employers against whistleblower actions for retaliation in violation of California Labor Code section 1102.5, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and failure to provide reasonable accommodation. Ashley has experience in assisting clients with internal reviews and revisions of employment policies and procedures, as well as conducting neutral investigations of workplace complaints. She has also assisted in counseling clients on an array of labor relations matters, such as the meet and confer process, grievances, discipline, and layoffs. These experiences have provided Ashley with an understanding of how to best serve her clients and anticipate likely issues prior to them arising. Ashley holds a dual degree in Political Science and English from the University of Arizona. During her undergraduate, she interned for the Office of Federal Relations at the University of Arizona, where she worked with University lobbyists to develop strong relationships with members of Congress and the Executive Branch, coordinate the University's participation in the appropriations process, facilitate and implement the University's federal agenda, and promote the University as a key resource to congressional leaders. Ashley also clerked for the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the Arizona Superior Court. Ashley received her Juris Doctor from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with a focus in Trial Advocacy. During law school, she served as a student attorney for the McGeorge Bankruptcy Clinic, where she assisted clients in all aspects of case assessment, negotiation and settlement, and representation of debtors in bankruptcy proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. Ashley also served as a student attorney for the McGeorge Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic, where she co-mediated cases with federal magistrate judges for prisoners seeking relief for alleged violations of their Constitutional rights. Throughout law school, she clerked for the Office of General Counsel at the Foundation for California Universities and Community Colleges and other defense firms.

Brent M. Giddens

Job Titles:
  • Partner
A labor and employment attorney experienced in litigation, strategic and operational issues, Brent M. Giddens helps California employers advance their business goals, representing clients in all facets of the employer/employee relationship. Giddens has extensive background and experience in defending class actions, as well as individual actions, before California state and federal courts. His clients cover a wide variety of industries, and include large national employers as well as small businesses. Whether a matter requires litigation to a successful conclusion, or negotiation of a sensible business oriented solution, Giddens has the experience to help his clients reach their goals. Giddens is regularly called upon by clients to provide due diligence in corporate mergers and acquisitions. He offers strategic advice and guidance on critical corporate transactions, executive employment agreements, severance negotiations, internal investigations, wage and hour audits and other employment compliance issues. Further, Giddens has served as lead defense counsel in numerous NLRB trial proceedings, organization drives, and has experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Brian E. Cole II

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
In his counsel to California employers, Brian E. Cole II has extensive experience with employment litigation involving claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, unfair competition, and wage and hour violations. He also has experience in defending companies of all sizes against class action claims, Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions, and Private Attorneys General Act actions. In addition, Cole II has prosecuted and defended trade secret matters, and has successfully represented clients in administrative proceedings and alternative dispute resolution forums. In addition to his employment practice, Cole II has significant experience representing businesses against website accessibility claims, brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. His experience includes defending businesses in public access cases, including physical barrier and website accessibility matters. Cole II has defended dozens of these claims that primarily focus on a visually impaired person's access to a business's website or mobile application. His practice also includes significant day-to-day advice and counseling on how companies with workforces in California can stay in compliance with the state's ever-changing labor and employment laws.

Candace R. DesBaillets


Carolina A. Schwalbach

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Carolina Schwalbach defends local and national employers and management on a full spectrum of labor and employment matters in various distinct industries, including healthcare, entertainment production, food and beverage and retail. Schwalbach's litigation practice has a special emphasis on defending employers with workforces in California against a range of alleged claims, including employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) actions, and wage and hour class actions. She also assists businesses mitigate their risks by drafting and developing legally compliant policies, as well as providing advice on issues relating to state and federal leave laws, harassment and discrimination issues, independent contractor compliance, terminations, and wage-hour laws. Schwalbach also counsels unionized employers regarding various aspects of union-management relations and assists non-unionized employers with union campaigns and union avoidance efforts. Whether she is defending her clients in litigation or providing proactive advice, clients can expect Schwalbach will act as an extension of their team. Schwalbach has extensive experience litigating matters from beginning to end at trial and in arbitration. She has obtained summary judgment on behalf of several California employers, as well as walk-away settlements of class and individual actions. She is a native Spanish speaker and regularly utilizes this skill providing trainings, such as California's mandated harassment trainings for supervisors and employees, and in defending clients on employment law matters.

Cody B. Humpherys

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Cody Humpherys provides litigation and advisory services to employers operating throughout California. He has experience litigating claims of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. Humpherys received his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he graduated cum laude with a concentration in labor and employment law. While in law school, he worked as a student attorney in the School's employment law clinic where he represented clients in unemployment benefits appeals and assisted a nonprofit in revising its employee handbook. Prior to law school, Humpherys received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Brigham Young University, where his studies focused on public relations and corporate communications.

Corey Cabral Authors

Job Titles:
  • Article on Governor Brown 's Budget Proposal for PAGA Litigation for California

Corey J. Cabral

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
  • Partner & Chair of CDF 's PAGA Litigation Practice Group
Corey J. Cabral represents local, regional and national employers in all aspects of California labor and employment law and related litigation. With a practice emphasis on wage and hour class action and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits, Cabral frequently manages and defends sophisticated and complex employment litigation matters. He also has extensive experience with litigation involving claims of individual wage and hour violations, gender, disability and age discrimination, retaliation, harassment, defamation and wrongful termination. Cabral's labor experience includes representing and defending California employers in dealings with union locals, collective bargaining negotiations, grievance proceedings and proceedings before the NLRB concerning unfair labor practice charges and Board complaints. Additionally, Cabral's practice also has a significant focus on claims prevention. His defense in high-stakes wage and hour litigation and PAGA actions affords him the intricate knowledge of the nuances of timekeeping and payroll compliance laws. As such, Cabral frequently assists California employers with developing, implementing, and auditing their employment policies and practices, and provides invaluable strategic recommendations for risk avoidance. He also provides ongoing advice, counsel and training to ensure his clients maintain policies, practices and procedures in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. His clients operate in various distinct industries, including retail, financial services, emergency medical services, restaurant, transportation, trucking, and manufacturing. Before representing California employers, Cabral served as a judicial law clerk in the United States District Courts, Eastern and Northern Districts of California, and Complex Civil Litigation Division of the San Francisco Superior Court.

Dalia Z. Khatib

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
  • Associate in the Sacramento
Dalia Khatib is an Associate in the Sacramento office. Her practice focuses on assisting employers with a broad range of workplace issues. In particular, Khatib has experience in strategizing and conducting discovery, including deposing plaintiffs, drafting deposition outlines, preparing witnesses for depositions, and propounding and responding to various forms of written discovery. She has negotiated with opposing counsel to avoid litigation and reach a successful resolution of the matter. She has defended employers against administrative law charges, including drafting position statements to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the National Labor Relations Board. In addition, Khatib has experience defending companies of all sizes against class action claims of alleged wage and hour violations and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) actions. Khatib combines her legal experience with her business experience in establishing a marketing agency, to provide advice and counseling to employers on matters related to employees, such as termination, leaves of absence, wage and hour, and compliance with various state regulations.

Dan M. Forman

Job Titles:
  • Brian Cole II Co - Author Article "Employers Beware a Patchwork of California Minimum
  • Los Angeles Office Managing Partner & Chair of CDF 's Unfair Competition & Trade Secret Practice Group
  • Office Managing Partner
As Chair of the Unfair Competition & Trade Secret Practice Group, Dan M. Forman's knowledge expands beyond employment law to the prosecution and defense of complex matters arising from the protection of trade secrets, and determinations of whether contracts are enforceable or unenforceable covenants not to compete. Client theft and employee poaching are central issues to these cases. This work expands into the area of anti-trust and claims of stifling competition for employment. Forman's vast litigation experience, including bench and jury trials, allows him to adeptly achieve efficient and expedited results in cases with high financial exposure. His experience extends throughout state and federal courts, as well as alternative dispute resolution venues. Forman represents clients before a wide range of regulatory agencies, including California's Labor Commissioner, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Employment Development Department, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar agencies. Forman counsels high tech companies, insurance agencies, security businesses, manufacturers, financial institutions, charter schools, service providers, health and medical industry clients to protect their bottom line, including privacy issues, cyber security and against data breach. He drafts wage and hour policies, employment and severance agreements, arbitration agreements, trade secret confidentiality agreements, and advises on covenants-not-to-compete, collective bargaining and WARN Act compliance to ensure peace of mind. Forman frequently speaks at industry seminars, webinars, is quoted in the press and writes blog postings and articles to help employers and business executives stay ahead of emerging legal issues surrounding privacy, employee retention, non-compete and confidentiality agreements.

David G. Hagopian - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel
  • Partner
For more than 30 years, David G. Hagopian has successfully litigated for, as well as counseled and advised, employers and businesses throughout California. Hagopian defends employers in putative class, collective and representative (PAGA) actions alleging wage and hour violations, as well as in single and multiple plaintiff matters alleging wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in the interactive process, breach, defamation, and related employment torts. He also advises employers to comply with employment laws, regulations, and ordinances, audits wage and hour practices, prepares and revises employment handbooks, and recommends best employment practices. In addition to his employment practice, Hagopian represents businesses in putative class and collective actions as well as in complex business disputes (e.g., fraud, fraudulent transfer, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract/implied covenant, interference/inducing breach, and conversion); consumer claims (e.g., unfair competition/business practices, misleading advertising, consumer legal remedies, telephone consumer protection, fair debt collection, and other consumer protection statutes); securities and other investment-related claims (FINRA and other arbitrations, broker/dealer liability, and securities fraud); government investigations and related claims (e.g., federal, state, and local investigations and false claims act claims); trade secrets and related claims (e.g., trade secrets, unlawful competition/business practices, misappropriation, and breach of confidentiality agreements); failed businesses/business deal claims (e.g., failed M&A deals, shareholder /partner/member disputes, accounting, shareholder derivative actions); real estate claims (e.g., breach of note, impairment of security, foreclosure, partition, commercial landlord-tenant lease disputes, and ADA/disability access); and insurance coverage claims (e.g., duty to defend, duty to indemnify, declaratory relief, and bad faith). Hagopian creates proactive and preventative strategies focusing on risk management to reduce and limit risk at the front end, and he uses strategic practice management tools to reduce legal spend at the back end.

Dawn M. Irizarry

Job Titles:
  • Partner & Chair of CDF 's Healthcare Practice Group
Did You Know: Dawn started a chocolate company at age thirteen As the chair of CDF's Healthcare Practice Group, Dawn M. Irizarry has substantial experience representing employers throughout the healthcare industry, including hospitals, medical technology companies, physician groups, and urgent care centers. Her experience includes providing daily advice to hospitals and medical groups on how to stay in compliance with California's complex employment laws, as well as defending employment litigation in court as well as in arbitration and before administrative agencies. With the fluctuating state of healthcare in America today, Dawn remains current on applicable laws, court decisions and emerging legal trends affecting her clients. She also has experience representing clients in the retail and gig economy as they face uncertainty in wage and hour and classification lawsuits in the state. Her employment law experience extends to assisting management in all phases of civil litigation involving claims of sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, defamation, failure to accommodate and other employment-related disputes before federal and state courts, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state civil rights enforcement agencies, as well as through private mediation and binding arbitration. Irizarry has also represented a number of financial institutions before the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. In addition, she regularly counsels employers regarding personnel policies, employee discipline and terminations, employment contracts, pregnancy and other medial leaves of absence, separation agreements, employee benefits issues and internal employee complaints. Irizarry has served as a guest speaker for large and small groups of employers and lectured on updates in employment law, the importance of drafting and maintaining employee handbooks, and how to stop sexual harassment before it begins.

Denisha McKenzie

Job Titles:
  • Installed As President of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association - Orange County
  • OC Lawyer Article Who 's Who in the OCBA

Denisha McKenzie Installed - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Installed As President of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association - Orange County

Denisha P. McKenzie

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Denisha P. McKenzie defends employers in all areas of labor and employment law in state and federal court, as well as before various administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). McKenzie's practice has a special emphasis on vigorously defending alleged claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. A significant portion of her practice is also dedicated to defending wage and hour single plaintiff, class action, and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits. McKenzie has successfully resolved a number of employment claims on summary judgment, including having a complete dismissal affirmed on appeal. As part of her trial experience, she has managed expert witness reporting and testimony, developed overall defense strategy, and conducted direct and cross- examinations of several key witnesses. McKenzie also provides proactive advice, counsel and training to management on emerging employment issues in California to ensure compliance with its ever-changing laws and regulations. This includes drafting policies, employee handbooks, and policy manuals regarding leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, occupational safety and health, and several other statutorily-mandated requirements. She also regularly drafts employment contracts, as well as severance, settlement, and arbitration agreements. McKenzie is a formidable advocate for advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal industry, as well as her local community. She has authored several articles on diversity and inclusion, and regularly assists management with developing effective action plans to achieve a diverse and inclusive workplace. She is the Immediate Past President of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association of Orange County and the recipient of the 2019 Legal Trailblazer Award from the Black Law Student's Association of the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Emily C. Gifford

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Emily Gifford provides litigation and advisory services to California businesses and non-profit organizations in all aspects of labor and employment law. Her employment litigation experience involves claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, unfair competition, breach of contract, and wage and hour issues.

Erin A. Owen - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:
  • Senior Counsel
Whether representing clients in employment or business litigation matters, Erin A. Owen is focused on providing personalized service to her clients and working with them to develop strategies that are distinctly focused on attaining their goals. She is innately concerned about the businesses and people she represents and is deeply committed to them and their health and prosperity. These qualities naturally translate into Owen obtaining a deep knowledge about her clients and her dedication to their welfare. Owen's employment litigation experience includes PAGA wage and hour litigation, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, breach of contract, fraud, interference with prospective business advantage, alter ego liability, sexual harassment, and workplace safety violations. She has represented clients in industries ranging from order fulfillment warehouses, security companies and restaurant chains to biomedical and wearable devices, transportation, and medical testing laboratory companies. Her business litigation portfolio is equally varied, with such areas as securities fraud, partnership disputes, soft intellectual property disputes, fraud, conversion, unfair competition, breach of contract, negligence, negligent retention, co-employer and agency liability, various telecommunications and essential facilities issues, and officer, director and shareholder related disputes. Owen has also provided counsel to companies facing regulatory and qui tam type issues and has experience implementing government imposed corporate integrity agreements, reporting to monitors from the Office of Inspector General and writing corporate policies specifically responsive to government regulations. She has experience working with businesses at various stages of the lifecycle allowing her to anticipate issues that are unique to early, middle and late stage enterprises.

Garrett V. Jensen

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Garrett V. Jensen has aggressively defended California employers in high-stakes employment cases through all stages of litigation, from pre-suit demands through trial and appeal. His span a broad range of industries, including: banks and mortgage lenders, healthcare, transportation and logistics, staffing, security, retail, and many other businesses of various sizes and in varied industries. His practice has a special emphasis on defending class action wage and hour and PAGA lawsuits and other complex employment litigation matters. Jensen's practice also includes representing management in single plaintiff actions alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations in state and federal court as well as before various administrative agencies. In addition, Jensen also provides advice and counseling to his clients on counseling preventative measures to avoid litigation, including reviews of general employment policies and wage and hour issues, and assists employers in conducting internal investigations.

Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly

Job Titles:
  • Associate Editor, 1997

Hastings Jewish Law

Job Titles:
  • Students Association, Vice President

Hastings Law Journal

Job Titles:
  • Senior Articles Editor

Jeffrey L. Sikkema

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Jeffrey L. Sikkema has been handling general business litigation for over 35 years, representing clients in trials and litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country. He has represented major corporations and companies in virtually every sector of the economy, including financial services, technology and retail, in a wide variety of high stakes business lawsuits and disputes. His broad range of business litigation experience includes privacy law, Bus. & Prof. Code §17200, PAGA, business torts and fraud, breach of contract, unfair competition, trade secrets, investment litigation, failed business deals, and other areas, as well as defending against consumer class actions. Sikkema has also handled numerous securities and other cases and investigations brought or pursued by various government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Justice Department, and the Federal Trade Commission. Sikkema received his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1982, and his B.A. in economics from the University of Michigan in 1978, where he graduated with highest honors. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to joining CDF, he spent most of his legal career at Dorsey & Whitney, where he served as founding and managing partner of its Orange County office. Sikkema is admitted to the State Bar of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Circuits.

Joel M. Van Parys

Job Titles:
  • Partner

John R. Giovannone

Job Titles:
  • Partner
John R. Giovannone is a partner in the Los Angeles office where he represents employers in the full range of employment law matters, from single plaintiff to class-based wage/hour, contract, discrimination, harassment, and licensing litigation, and including traditional labor proceedings as well. While his bedrock skill set lies in employment litigation and trial advocacy, a major component of his practice involves advice and counsel so as to position his clients to avoid disputes where possible, and to prevail via litigation when necessary. Giovannone also provides advice and counsel services to his clients regarding state and federal labor and employment law, including human resources training, policy drafting, and workplace investigations.

Kent J. Sprinkle

Job Titles:
  • Office Managing Partner
  • San Diego Office Managing Partner

Leigh A. White

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Linda Wang

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

Lindsay A. Ayers

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Long Beach Labor

Job Titles:
  • Commissioner Rules Completely in Favor of Employer on Commission and Bonus Dispute

M. Leah Cameron

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Leah Cameron advises and defends California employers through all aspects of the employment relationship including defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour issues. She is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, representing clients in class actions and single plaintiff cases in California state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies such as the DLSE and DFEH. Her experience includes extensive work on the appellate team that secured the seminal California Supreme Court decision in Duran v. U.S. Bank, 59 Cal.4th 1 (2014), which helped shape class certification and trial management principles in exemption cases. She has also successfully settled numerous class action and single plaintiff lawsuits prior to and during litigation. In addition, as an experienced trial attorney, prior to joining CDF Ms. Cameron worked as a prosecutor successfully trying numerous jury trials to verdict.

Marianne C. Koepf

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Marie D. DiSante - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner
  • Firm Managing Partner

Mark S. Spring

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Elected Co - Chair of the SCBA 's Diversity Hiring & Retention Committee
  • Office Managing Partner
  • Sacramento Office Managing Partner & Chair of CDF 's Traditional Labor Law Practice Group
Mark Spring Elected Co-Chair of the SCBA's Diversity Hiring & Retention Committee March 15, 2022 Blog Entries A New California Bill Will Protect Employee's Ability to Use Marijuana Off-the-Clock August 25, 2022 Federal Regulations Trump California's Meal and Rest Break Rules For Short Haul Drivers Too January 26, 2022 The Challenges and Risks When Private Employers Regulate Employees' Off-Duty Conduct in California August 13, 2020

Mayra D. Sandoval

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

McGeorge Law

Job Titles:
  • Comment Editor, 2002 - 2003 Comment Writer, 2001 - 2002

Nicole A. Legrottaglie

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Rebekah F. Thomas

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

Richard M. Green

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner & Chair of CDF 's Immigration Practice Group

Robyn E. Frick

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Ryan P. Snyder

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

San Francisco Hillel

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board

Sander van der Heide - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:
  • Senior Counsel

Santa Ana Labor

Job Titles:
  • Commissioner Rules Completely in Favor of Employer on Claim for Reimbursable Business Expenses

Taylor L. Wendland

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

Thomas B. Song

Job Titles:
  • Partner and Chair of CDF 's Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group

Timothy M. Freudenberger

Job Titles:
  • Founding Partner & Chair of CDF 's Class Action Defense Litigation Practice Group

Todd R. Wulffson

Job Titles:
  • Office Managing Partner
  • Orange County Office Co - Managing Partner

Tony Patiño

Job Titles:
  • Fellow

UC Hastings Law

Job Titles:
  • Alumni Association, San Diego Chapter Co - Leader, 2020 - Present

Wanja S. Guy - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:
  • Senior Counsel