Nanny Household Employee Domestic Employment Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.2162

Education

University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, IL: Juris Doctor in 1998, with Honors.
PublishedEssay, “Doing Without Speed Limits,” in February 1999
Boston University Law Review with University of Chicago Law Professor Cass Sunstein.
Elected Comment Editor, The University of Chicago Legal Forum, student edited journal.Comment, “Chemical Contamination in California: A Continuing Nuisance?” published in 1997 edition.

Rotary International Fellowship, University of Lisbon, Portugal, 1992-93: Served as Goodwill Ambassador, making speeches and touring country.  Matriculated in Advanced Course for Foreign Students.

Georgetown University, Washington, DC: Bachelor of Science of Foreign Service in 1992, Magna Cum Laude.  Class Rank: 30/327.  GPA: 3.78. 

Certified proficient in oral and written Portuguese.  Alpha Sigma Nu, National Jesuit Honor Society; Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society. Passed U.S. State Department Foreign Service examination.

Oxford University, Oxford, England, Summer, 1991: Upper level Art History and British History classes.

Work Experience

A Private Law Firm in California 2003 – Present: Founding Attorney & Owner.  Founded the leading law firm providing legal and tax advice to household employers and domestic employment and homecare agencies.  Assist household employers in hiring nannies, elder care providers and other employees legally; draft employment, confidentiality and severance agreements; and resolve and defend disputes involving household employees and government agencies.  Represent nanny agencies, homecare agencies, individuals and businesses in a variety of labor & employment, dispute resolution and business matters.  Serve as General Counsel a nationwide trade organization for domestic employment agencies, and on the Board of Directors for the International Nanny Association.  Write and lecture extensively on household employment legal and tax matters.

South Orange County Community College District, Costa Mesa, CA, 2006 – 2008: Vice Chancellor, Human Resources.  Oversaw Human Resources function for community college district of approximately 38,000 students and approximately 2,500 employees.  Lead department responsible for employee relations, risk management and benefits issues for two college campuses and district administration.  Supervised outside counsel work on labor & employment legal matters.  Served on Chancellor’s Executive Council handling district-wide governance.

Automobile Club of Southern California, Costa Mesa, CA, 2003 – 2006: Corporate Counsel.  Handled labor & employment matters for organization of 9,200 employees.  Developed and implemented arbitration and drug testing policies enterprise-wide.  Personally drafted and performed company’s sexual harassment prevention program.  Represented management in employee negotiations and adversarial matters.  Actively involved in HR issues including benefits, training, hiring, discipline, evaluations and terminations.  Supervised outside counsel and oversaw budgets.  Negotiated and drafted contracts and professional service agreements.

Payne & Fears LLP, Irvine, CA, 2001 – 2003: Attorney.  Worked with clients to evaluate and defend potential labor & employment claims and litigation.  Took all plaintiffs’ depositions and obtained summary judgment in multi-count employment and union grievance procedure lawsuit.  Handled all law and motion practice in multi-million dollar discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuit.  Lectured on leave and benefits topics.

Rutan & Tucker LLP, Costa Mesa, CA, 1998 – 2001: Attorney.  Provided labor & employment advice to public and private entities.  Covered City Council meetings, interacting with public officials, serving as legal counsel, and providing advice to officials and staff.

Publications

Available upon Request

Newsletter Article

Calculating the Cost of Childcare