Dorothy represents both public and private employers with unionized and non-unionized workforces. She leads wage-and-hour class action defense litigation in state and federal courts on issues ranging from off-the-clock and overtime claims to meal and rest period matters. Dorothy also handles benefits litigation and defends employers against claims of race and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, disability discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract and wrongful termination in single-plaintiff and multiple-plaintiff matters at the trial and appellate levels.
In April 2011, Dorothy was appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to serve on San Francisco's Ethics Commission, responsible for enforcing ethics laws and rules for the City and County of San Francisco, including campaign finance and open government laws. Dorothy served a two-year term as Commissioner from 2011 to 2013.
Dorothy's practice includes handling labor arbitrations and negotiating collective bargaining agreements. She also frequently advises employers on a wide range of employment issues. She is well versed in California Labor Code compliance, internal audits for misclassification/exempt status issues, workplace investigations, leaves of absence and disability accommodations, employee discipline and terminations. Her expertise includes drafting employment agreements, separation agreements and personnel policies. Dorothy also represents employers on a regular basis in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Prior to joining Hanson Bridgett, Dorothy clerked for two years for The Honorable Walter E. Webster, Jr. of the Washington State Court of Appeals.
Publications
Employment Law Roundtable published in California Lawyer (February 2008)
"Employment Law Roundtable", California Lawyer (January 2006)
"Labor Code 2002 and Beyond", Employment Law Bulletin, Issue 5 (2001)
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Presentations
"2012 Labor & Employment Law Update," co-speaker, National Cement Employers Association (September 2012)
"Training Your New Supervisors in California: 11 Practical Lessons," Employer Resource Institute Webinar (March 2011)
"HR Self-Audits in California: How to Find (and Fix) the Legal Time Bombs in Your Workplace," Employer Resource Institute Webinar (November 2010)
"Navigating the Web of Disability Leave, Pregnancy Leave, and Reasonable Accommodation Issues under California and Federal Law," QCHF DD Symposium (May 2010)
"Avoiding Employment Nightmares and Minimizing Legal Risks, from Hiring to Separation," Quality Care Health Foundation (May 2008)
"Family and Medical Leave: The Basic Do's and Don'ts of Handling FMLA Requests," National audioconference (October 2007)
"Wage & Hour Law Presentation for Residential Care Facilities," Community Education, Temecula, CA (July 2006)
"Time Off in California: Leave as an Accommodation Under the ADA and FEHA, and Other Federal and California Statutory Leaves," Lorman Seminar, San Francisco (July 2005)
"Time Off in California: Leaves of Absence," Lorman Seminar, San Francisco (July 2003)
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