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Dawn Kennedy focuses her practice in the areas of employment and labor law. She assists clients in a variety of matters, including representing employers in age, sex, race, disability and national origin harassment and discrimination claims, whistleblower retaliation claims, as well as wage and hour class actions, unfair competition, workers’ compensation discrimination claims and OSHA matters. Ms. Kennedy has significant experience advising employers regarding their obligations under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and defending employers in actions for alleged violation of same.

Ms. Kennedy’s practice involves investigating complaints and defending employers in actions filed with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). She provides training in preventing and responding to sexual harassment and counseling to employers in a variety of personnel matters, including wage issues, harassment complaints and the development of employee handbooks.

In addition, Ms. Kennedy has experience representing employers during union organizing drives and in grievance arbitrations and defending employers against unfair labor practice claims. She has advised employers regarding the implementation of alternative workweek schedules and has represented employers in audits conducted by the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The diverse client base she represents includes entities from the healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, food service, trucking and non-profit sectors.

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Kennedy taught public middle school through the Teach for America program.