Northern California Employment Round Table

MAY 20, 2016
9:30 AM – 12:30

Presents Panel Discussion on Best Practices & Insight into the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) Process in

Is that a DFEH Charge Notice Peeking Out from My Inbox?

Before you start with the proverbial questions of “why me?”or “how come?” join NCERT to examine how to become more proactive by learning what happens when a Department of Fair Employment & Housing  (DFEH) charge is filed against your company or agency.

Representatives from the DFEH will provide insight into how to navigate through the charge process including conciliation and litigation. Using hypothetical complaints to show what happens to a charge as it makes its way through the DFEH from intake, to investigation and resolution. Practitioners on the panel will provide strategies for the DFEH process, including the importance of effective collaboration for increased trust and engagement in the workforce.

Join us to take advantage of this truly unique opportunity to gain insight directly from DFEH and best practices from seasoned practitioners. Participants will walk away with a greater understanding of the charge process and best practices to resolve complaints.

FEATURING

Department of Fair Employment & Housing
Annmarie Billotti, Chief of Dispute Resolution
Mary Bonilla, Chief of Enforcement
Jennet Zapata, Staff Counsel

PRACTITIONERS

Susan Zeme, Employment Attorney –  Employers
Mark Gabel, Employment Attorney –  Plaintiffs & Employers
Cara Panebianco, Sr. Employee Relations Consultant
Claudia Long, Mediator

Moderated by Lisa Buehler, Workplace Investigator

Annmarie Billotti, Chief of Dispute Resolution established and manages the Department’s Dispute Resolution Division. Ms. Billotti was formerly served in several roles with the DFEH including Acting Director, Chief of Mediation, and Acting Chief Counsel. Before assuming her responsibilities at DFEH headquarters, as Sr. Staff Counsel she obtained significant remedies for complainants in employment and housing cases litigated in state court and before the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC).

Mary Bonilla is the Enforcement Division Chief for the DFEH and a member of the Executive Team, with oversight of statewide enforcement operations, compliance, and policies and procedures.

During her tenure at DFEH, Ms. Bonilla has served as Acting Chief of Enforcement, Associate Chief of Enforcement, Regional Administrator, District Administrator and Consultant. Ms. Bonilla has been instrumental in leading statewide employment and housing enforcement, operations, investigations and civil rights initiatives.

Jennet Zapata is staff counsel for the DFEH with prior experiences representing individuals in all aspects of labor and employment litigation, including disability, age, sex and race discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and wage and hour class action matters. Jennet has also represented a group of clients in a collective action in federal court brought under the Federal Labor Standards Act.

Susan Zeme has represented employers for almost 20 years. Susanassists employers with the inevitable issues and problems that confront every business with employees: Employee contracts, policies and handbooks, correctly hiring and terminating employees, avoiding discrimination and harassment claims, determining how to handle sensitive employee situations, and defending both administrative claims and court litigation. Susan’s goal is to prevent problems from escalating, and to save employers stress, time and money.   www.swzeme.com

Mark Gabel, before founding the Gabel Law Firm, practiced employment law at two large law firms in San Francisco: Hanson Bridgett LLP and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.

Mark’s practice spans the entire range of laws and issues impacting the employer-employee relationship in both private companies and public agencies. He also represents clients in federal and state court and before federal and state administrative agencies in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage-and-hour claims (including misclassification), wrongful termination and other employment-related torts, and breaches of contract.  www.gabel-law-firm.com

Cara Panebianco is Senior Employee Relations Consultant for TriNet, where she manages and conducts workplace investigations, navigates responding to agency charge responses, and develops and provides training on a variety of human resources topics such as the disability accommodation interactive process and paid sick leave compliance. She previously worked as a labor and employment attorney advising employers and representing plaintiffs in litigation and administrative proceedings. She is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) and served as faculty at the 2015 and 2016 AWI Training Institutes.  www.trinet.com

Claudia H. Long, Mediator & NCERT Vice-President is an experienced mediator and has mediated over 1300 cases, and she enhances her experience with complete preparation before every mediation. She expects full preparation by counsel and parties, and a commitment by all participants to full participation in the mediation.  www.longlawoffices.com

Lisa Buehler Workplace Investigator & NCERT Board Member has over 25 years of legal experience, nearly all spent specializing in employment law.  She has conducted hundreds of investigations for both public and private employers on a wide range of matters, including claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower complaints, employee misconduct, and Title IX investigations on claims involving gender discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. www.ebmlawgroup.com

FAQs

Event Location & Time:

What are my transport/parking options getting to this event?

Public Transportation

Lake Merritt BART Station – 3 blocks to 1221 Oak Street.

• Follow signs and proceed towards the Courthouse and Museum on Oak Street.

12th St. Oakland City Center BART Station – 10 minute walk.

• Head southwest on 14th Street towards Franklin Street.
• Turn Right onto Oak Street.

Visit 511.org for other options by public transit.

Driving Directions

• From I-88) North from San Jose, Fremont & Hayward: Take the Oak Street exit. Turn right on Oak Street and drive five blocks to 12th Street. The County Administration Building is located on Oak Street between 12th and 13th Streets.
• From I-580 West from San Leandro and Pleasanton: Follow I-580 to the I-980 connector, heading west. Continue on I-980 and exit on Jackson Street.  Turn left on Jackson Street and then turn right on 11th Street. Turn left on Oak Street.  The County Administration Building is located on Oak Street between 12th and 13th Streets.
• From I-80 East from the Bay Bridge, Berkeley, and Emeryville: From the Bay Bridge/Berkeley-Emeryville area, follow directions from I-580 to the I-980 connector. Continue westbound on I-980 and exit on Jackson Street.  Turn left on Jackson Street and 13th Street and make a right turn. The County Administration Building is located on Oak Street between 12th and 13th Streets.

Parking Garages

The Alameda County parking garage, AlcoPark, is located on Jackson Street between 12th Street and 13th Street. The rate is $7.00 per day. Lot is generally full by 8 am and releases additional spots after 9 am. Limited metered street parking is also available. Public transit is a great option.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation?

Please contact NCERT President, Dominique B. Burton via NCERT LinkedIn Group, 510.272.3877, and/or   [email protected].