Grace Chan Associate

Grace provides client representation and legal counsel to clients in matters pertaining to education, employment and labor law. Grace also works extensively with private and independent schools and is experienced in handling various employment, student and governance issues, such as drafting employment agreements, employee handbooks, enrollment agreements and student handbooks, updating bylaws, and providing legal counsel regarding risk management practices, employee discipline and terminations, EEO compliance, wage and hour issues, leaves, as well as various student issues, such as student discipline and expulsion, disability accommodation and tuition disputes.

Grace has conducted presentations and workshops for a number of schools and associations on a variety of employment and student topics, ranging from crisis management, mandated reporting, wage and hour issues, employment contracts, harassment prevention, and leaves.

Grace's professional experience has also been particularly extensive in the litigation area. She has handled the preparation of witnesses, depositions and all aspects of discovery and trial preparation, law and motion proceedings, settlement negotiations, administrative hearings and trial work. Subject matters have involved employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, the Family Medical Leave Act and California Family Rights Act, and workers' compensation issues.

Grace is a graduate of the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, where she served as an Associate on the Moot Court Association. Prior to law school, Grace earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature (with a minor in Political Science). Grace is admitted to the State Bar of California as well as the District of Columbia Bar.  

APPELLATE

Washington v. Contra Costa County Housing Authority et al. (2013) - After LCW obtained summary judgment in Contra Costa County Superior Court in favor of the Housing Authority and an individual defendant, defeating a sexual harassment claim brought by a male maintenance worker against a female manager, the employee appealed. The First Appellate District affirmed the judgment on behalf of both defendants and awarded the Housing Authority and the individual defendants their costs on appeal.

LITIGATION

Hancock v. Plumas County (2012) - Obtained summary judgment in Plumas County Superior Court in favor of County and three individual supervisors who the employee had claimed harassed and discriminated against her based on her disabilities, age, and gender.  The employee also claimed that her layoff was discriminatory.