Michele Z. Stevenson is a litigator with substantial experience and expertise in representing employers of all sizes in all aspects of employment counseling and litigation. This includes representation before administrative tribunals, such as the federal Department of Labor, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Labor Commissioner, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and the California Unemployment Insurance Board, and in state and federal courts. In addition, she provides preventative advice counseling and training on wage and hour issues, terminations and reductions in force, leaves of absence, ADA access compliance, and military leave and reemployment rights.

Areas of Practice

• Wage and Hour Advice Counseling, Audits, and Litigation Prevention
• Wage and Hour and Class Action Litigation
• Administrative Actions (DLSE, DFEH, EEOC, EDD)
• ADA Access Cases, Employee Handbooks, Leaves of Absence, and military leave and reemployment rights (USERRA)

Representative Experience

• Represented employers in defense of claims of employment harassment and discrimination (age, race, gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation) and retaliation; breach of employment contract; wrongful termination in violation of public policy; and constructive termination in state and federal courts as well as before the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Defended employers against wage & hour class action suits filed in different counties involving extensive allegations of violations of the California Labor Code, Wage Orders and F.L.S.A.
• Defended employer in class action wage & hour suit filed by commercial drivers alleging multiple violations of the California Labor Code, Wage Orders and F.L.S.A.
• Represented employers in state court in defense of defamation and interference with contractual relations claims by former employees.
• Defended employers in numerous wage claims before the California Office of Labor Commissioner.
• Represented employers/business establishments in federal court in defense of class action and other lawsuits under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Prepared, reviewed, and revised employee handbooks and policy manuals; drafted employment agreements and negotiated severance packages for corporate executives; negotiated and drafted severance agreements on behalf of employers; drafted alcohol and drug testing policies, workplace search policies, and pre-employment inquiry policies and procedures.
• Counseled employers regarding employee discipline and employment termination, workplace searches and investigations, alcohol and drug testing, employee policies, employment discrimination and harassment, and supervisor training.
• Advised employers and prepared relevant documents with regard to mass lay-off and reduction-in-force.
• Trained managers and supervisors on compliance with state and federal wage and hour laws, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act; California’s Fair Employment & Housing Ac, Title VII, Americans With Disabilities Act; and other compliance issues.
• Reviewed and updated independent contractor agreements.

Consultations

We provide a free 30-minute consultation. Thereafter, we charge an hourly rate (pro-rated to actual time spent) based on the complexity of your case. All consultations must be paid by cash or Pay Pal, unless you retain us at the consultation, in which case we will accept a personal check. Because the initial retainer can vary depending on the complexity of your case, we are generally unable to quote retainer fees over the telephone. Please bring copies of any relevant documentation you have regarding your claim, issue, or case, such as pay or personnel records or correspondence.