Lisa S. Charbonneau Associate

Lisa represents cities, counties, and special districts throughout the state as a negotiator, litigator, and trusted advisor in all matters pertaining to labor and employment law.  She has extensive experience in Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and wage and hour compliance, the Public Safety Officers' and Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Acts, disciplinary matters, and labor relations.  She also works with the firm's school clients on wage and hour matters.

Lisa has secured successful results, including dismissal or summary judgment, for clients in litigation matters ranging from FLSA collective actions to disability discrimination to First Amendment retaliation to independent contractor misclassification.  She has also successfully represented clients before the California Labor Commissioner, the U.S. Department of Labor, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

A significant part of Lisa's advice and counsel work involves counseling clients on FLSA issues, conducting FLSA audits for clients, reviewing employer compliance with wage and hour laws, and assisting with payroll system upgrades and modifications to achieve compliance with wage and hour laws.  Her practice also includes training on such subjects as FLSA compliance, discrimination and harassment, ethics, risk management, and supervisory skills.

She has served as chief negotiator for small and large public agencies in labor negotiations with law enforcement associations, the Teamsters, SEIU 2015 Long Term Care Workers, and various employee associations. Lisa takes a hands-on approach to bargaining and strives to be highly responsive to the unique needs of each client and their governing body.  

Lisa received her JD from U.C. Hastings College of the Law in 2006 and was admitted to the California State Bar in December of that year. While at Hastings, Lisa served as an Equal Justice America fellow and received a grant to work on community economic development issues for the City of Detroit. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Government from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and soon after that worked at a political magazine, The American Prospect, until she began to pursue her law degree.

Recognitions

Lisa is a recipient of the Community Partner Award for Pro Bono Work from the Transgender Law Center.  She was also selected as a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2012-2017.

LITIGATION

Burris v. City of Petaluma (2019) – U.S. District Court, Northern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action involving firefighter overtime.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Valentine et al. v. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (2019) – U.S. District Court, Eastern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action involving more than five hundred firefighters.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Spiller v. City of Petaluma (2018) – U.S. District Court, Northern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action involving police department employees.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Baskin et al. v. City of San Luis Obispo (2018) – U.S. District Court, Central District.  Multi-plaintiff Fair Labor Standards Act case.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Hoffman v. County of Butte (2017) – U.S. District Court, Eastern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action brought by sheriff’s department employees.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Stewart v. County of Amador (2017) – U.S. District Court, Eastern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Alviso et al. v. City of San Rafael (2017) – U.S. District Court, Northern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Anderson et al. v. Marinwood Community Services District (2017) – U.S. District Court, Northern District.  Multi-plaintiff Fair Labor Standards Act case.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Drobish et al. v. City of Citrus Heights (2017) – U.S. District Court, Eastern District.  Fair Labor Standards Act collective action.  Court approved settlement and case dismissed with prejudice.

Maner v. County of Stanislaus, Birgit Fladager (2016) – U.S. District Court, Eastern District.  Represented County and District Attorney.  Secured complete summary judgment for County and District Attorney in first amendment retaliation claim brought by a former deputy district attorney. 

James et. al. v. City of Santa Clara (2016) – Santa Clara County Superior Court.  Represented City and secured complete summary judgment for City in age discrimination claim brought by three plaintiffs. 

NEGOTIATIONS

City of Los Altos – Chief Negotiator (2019-2020) - Safety and Non-Safety Groups.

County of Mendocino – Chief Negotiator (2019) - Safety and Non-Safety Groups, IHSS Group.

Marin Housing Authority – Chief Negotiator (2020) - SEIU 1021 Unit.

Monterey County Regional Fire District – Chief Negotiator (2020) - Safety and Non-Safety Groups.