Best Lawyers in California, United States for Employment Law - Management
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Cities
Kathy H. Gao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kathy H., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathy H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nicole A. Legrottaglie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicole A., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John Polson is a partner in the Irvine office and a member of the firm's Management Committee. He represents employers and staffing industry clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, including transactional matters, litigation, compliance advice and audits, executive and management training, and other employment related legal matters. John handles administrative and civil employment litigation matters, including arbitrations, in California and elsewhere. John has particular expertis...
Dale R. Kuykendall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dale R., who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dale R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alexandra Asterlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Alexandra, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ken is a founding partner of the firm. He has dedicated his legal career to labor and employment law matters primarily involving union-management relations. He is considered one of the country’s preeminent management attorneys in the hospitality industry and has lectured throughout the country on preventive labor relations and other employment-related issues. Although Ken is a strong management advocate and a result driven negotiator, he maintains unique working relationships both with ...
Eric C. Bellafronto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Eric C., who practices law in San Jose, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Wendy E. Lane is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Wendy E., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wendy E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Gregory Iskander is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Gregory, who practices law in Walnut Creek, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stacey E. James has practiced exclusively in the field of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on advising management on: Wage and hour matters Employee discipline and termination Leave of absence and disability accommodation situations Employment policies and procedures Employee benefits Fair employment practices Stacey has extensive experience defending employers in class actions and related matters in state and federal court and before numerous state and federal administrative agenci...
Tim Murphy is a partner in the firm's San Francisco office. He has been a jury trial lawyer for more than 40 years, trying cases involving a wide variety of subjects. Since 1985, his practice has focused upon jury trial cases concerning sexual harassment, race discrimination, whistleblower allegations, retaliation, wrongful discharge, trade secret protection, and disability discrimination. His clients have included banks, public utilities, universities, manufacturers, public entities, law fir...
Linda is an experienced trial attorney, having tried close to 100 jury trials. She focuses on defending employers and individuals who are sued for wrongful termination, employment discrimination, and harassment. Linda has represented health care, legal, retail, and public sector employers for over 35 years. She frequently lectures to management groups, administrators, judges, and physician groups as well as various bar sponsored groups. She also serves as a volunteer court appointed mediator ...
Carolyn G. Burnette is office managing principal of the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. In addition to more than 20 years of litigation experience, Carolyn also brings to the firm a significant workplace investigation background. Her litigation and investigation cases have involved a spectrum of high-level employment law issues, including conduct alleged against executives, elected officials, attorneys and other senior personnel. Carolyn also has a robust advice and couns...
Lyne Richardson is the managing partner of the Los Angeles office. She focuses her practice on employment law, litigation and client counseling. Lyne also oversees the employment litigation of the Los Angeles office and has litigated all forms of employment law cases in both state and federal courts in California and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the DLSE and the EEOC. She is a frequent lecturer on labor and employment issues and has published a variety of articles...
James C. Fessenden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. James C., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.