- Our People
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Our Los Angeles PeopleLos Angeles
Attorneys from our Los Angeles office provide assistance to Firm's clients located in Southern California.
Contact Information:6033 W. Century Blvd. 5th Floor
Meet the team
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: 310.981.2000
Fax: 310.337.0837Our San Francisco PeopleSan FranciscoOur largest Northern California office is located in San Francisco.
Contact Information:135 Main Street. 7th Floor.
Meet the team
San Francisco, СА 94105
Phone: 415.512.3000
Fax: 415.856.0306Our Fresno PeopleFresnoAttorneys from our Fresno office, successfully serve our clients in the Central Valley region of California.
Contact Information:5250 N. Palm Avenue. Suite 310
Meet the team
Fresno, CA 93704
Phone: 559.256.7800
Fax: 559.449.4535Our San Diego PeopleSan DiegoOur San Diego attorneys represent LCW's clients in a wide spectrum of Labor, Employment, and Educational law matters.
Contact Information:401 West “A” Street, Suite 1675
Meet the team
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.481.5900
Fax: 619.446.0015Our Sacramento PeopleSacramentoAttorneys in the Sacramento office of LCW work with our clients in Northern California.
Contact Information:400 Capitol Mall Suite 1260
Meet the team
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.584.7000
Fax: 916.584.7083
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- Events and Training
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Events & Training Calendar
Events & Training CalendarLCW attorneys conduct over 900 presentations throughout a year. Explore our calendar to find one near you.
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If you are looking for On-Demand Harassment Training, please visit our dedicated page to find out more.Consortium Trainings
Consortium TrainingsAn ERC is a number of local agencies (cities, counties and special districts), or school and community college districts, in a geographic area joining together for the purpose of securing quality employment relations training, consultation and informational services on a very economical basis. Currently, there are close to 800 cities, counties, special districts, school districts, community college districts, universities, private and independents schools, and other agencies involved with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore's 35 consortiums.
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Explore All Benefits of Joining one of LCW's Employment Relations ConsortiumsSeminars / Webinars
Seminars / WebinarsThroughout the year, we host a number of seminars and webinars on a variety of pressing legal topics. These presentations are designed to help our clients stay informed of the constant changes in law and be better prepared for any potential impact that may come their way.
Learn moreSpeaking Engagements
Speaking EngagementsLiebert Cassidy Whitmore offers speaking services and customized seminars and workshops for conferences and symposiums. Our attorneys frequently present and facilitate workshops at major conferences and for a variety of organizations.
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Schedule a Presentation at Your Association MeetingCustomized Trainings
Customized TrainingsOur customized training programs can help improve workplace performance and reduce exposure to liability and costly litigation. Whether a half-day workshop for top-level managers and supervisors or a series of full-day workshops for all employees, our expert trainers can create effective workshops specifically for your organization.
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Explore All Benefits of Customized TrainingsLCW Annual Conference
LCW Annual ConferenceOur Annual Public Sector Employment Law conference is a 3-day event that provides all attendees with an opportunity to stay up-to-date with legal developments, as well as network with fellow public-sector professionals.
Learn moreWebinars on Demand
Webinars on DemandThroughout the year, we host a number of webinars on a variety of important legal topics. If you missed any of our live presentations, you can catch-up by viewing recordings of those trainings.
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If you are looking for On-Demand Harassment Training, please visit our dedicated page to find out more.LCW Labor Relations Certification Program
LCW Labor Relations Certification ProgramDeveloping positive partnerships and leadership excellence for labor relations professionals.
The LCW Labor Relations Certification program is designed to provide labor relations practitioners education combined with practical hands-on experience in a variety of core areas. Each workshop includes both traditional training and interactive simulations to develop skills helpful to labor relations professionals. The sessions provide a “deep dive” into each area and offer successful tips and strategies that we use when working with clients.
Seminars are conducted throughout the year and throughout the state. Upcoming seminars are listed below. This list is updated as seminars are scheduled. For information about bringing a course to your agency (minimum of 20 people required) contact our Training Department.
Receive a certificate of completion for each completed course. Complete 7 out of 7 workshops (in any order) and receive the official LCW Labor Relations Certification.Learn more
LCW Public Sector Employment Relations Certificate Program
LCW Public Sector Employment Relations Certificate ProgramUnderstanding the basics of public sector employment relations.
The Public Sector Employment Relations Certification Program is geared to provide you with the knowledge you need to grow and thrive in your career; the opportunity to collaborate and network with others in similar positions and position you and your agency for reduced liability and greater success.
Participate in the live seminars listed below and receive a certificate of completion for each completed course.
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Complete 8 out of 11 workshops (in any order) within three years and receive the official LCW Public Sector Employment Relations Certification at no additional cost.
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KnowledgeKnowledge
Through our experience, we know that one of the most effective ways to reduce liability for an employer is to give managers the tools needed to understand and implement best practices. This occurs through training and practical reference material.
We use these materials to conduct hundreds of presentations throughout the year and constantly update them to make sure that they take into account all of the latest legal developments and practical applications.
- Workbooks
- Guides
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Heather R. Coffman Associate
Heather advises, negotiates, and litigates on behalf of a diverse portfolio of public sector clients. Her clients include counties, cities, public safety agencies, and public education institutions. Heather regularly advises and represents these clients in matters ranging from investigations, disciplinary matters, administrative proceedings, unfair practice charges, and litigation involving state and federal discrimination and harassment claims. In addition, Heather represents public agencies at the bargaining table. Heather also frequently trains clients on new legal developments and strategies to prevent litigation, enhance employee performance, and strengthen labor relations.
Prior to practicing public employment and education law, Heather practiced immigration law. Outside of the office, she serves as a volunteer mediator through a community-based dispute resolution organization.
Legal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Classified Employee Discipline (2018) – Successfully upheld the suspension of a classified employee at a community college district. The employee engaged in a series of escalating confrontations with fellow employees, despite progressive action by the District to support him to comport with District policies.
Police Officer Termination (2017) – Successfully upheld termination of a police officer who used his body to block a female non-sworn employee from leaving a work area and shared sexually explicit stories with her.
Correctional Deputy Termination (2016) – Successfully upheld termination of a correctional deputy who, while off-duty, brandished a firearm at inmates who were performing duties on a work crew. The deputy then misled the Internal Affairs investigator regarding his conduct.
Vacaville Peace Officers Association v. City of Vacaville (2014) – Successfully represented City defending against Unfair Practice Charges brought by a Peace Officers’ Association before the Public Employment Relations Board. The POA alleged the City engaged in bad faith bargaining during labor negotiations.
LITIGATION
Jackson v. County of Humboldt (2017) – Obtained summary judgment in favor of the County in a case where Plaintiff, an employee, asserted that he suffered discrimination on the basis of age. Prior to the motion for summary judgment, successfully represented the County in demurrers to multiple additional claims by the same Plaintiff.
Lake v. City of Hercules (2013) - Obtained summary judgment in favor of the City in a case where Plaintiff, a female police officer, lied to her Police Chief in order to obtain approval to purchase an assault weapon. After the City terminated her employment for dishonesty she sued the City, alleging that the termination was based on her gender, disability, and protected activity. She also alleged that she had been harassed based on her gender and disability.
NEGOTIATIONS
Sonoma County – Union and Employee units.
Marin Community College District – Classified Employee Units.
Legal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University
California Council of School Attorneys (CCSA)
California Bar Association
Bar Association of San Francisco
Legal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University
Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars in the field of Employment & Labor Law, (2015)
Legal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University
Legal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University
Difficult Conversations
Read moreMaximizing Supervisory Skills for the First Line Supervisor
Read moreMaximizing Supervisory Skills for the First Line Supervisor
Read moreMaximizing Supervisory Skills for the First Line Supervisor
Read morePromoting Safety in Community College Districts
Read moreDifficult Conversation
Read moreLegal Expertise
Education
JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law
MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA, Tufts University