Shelline Bennett Partner

Shelline Bennett has represented management in labor and employment-law matters for over 20 years. She has worked with both private and public employers, including cities, counties, special districts, housing authorities, and community colleges, as well as nonprofit organizations. She has an extensive litigation background in both federal and state courts. Shelline's practice also includes representation in disciplinary appeals, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and labor relations and negotiations, including serving as lead negotiator at bargaining tables. Shelline has served as a factfinding panel member in a number of factfindings under both the MMBA and EERA. She advises and counsels in all labor and employment-law matters, including the meet and confer process, wage and hour issues, disability and leave issues, and due process and disciplinary matters. Shelline represents employers not only in court but before the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Labor Commissioner, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, arbitrators, and Personnel and Civil Service Commissions.

Shelline serves on the Executive Committee of the firm’s Investigation Practice Group.  An experienced investigator, Shelline provides guidance to LCW investigators, establishes firmwide best practices in the area and conducts harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disciplinary-related investigations, including those of a sensitive nature and concerning high profile individuals.  Shelline has extensive experience overseeing the entire investigation process, including retaining outside investigators, preparing and analyzing investigation findings of fact, working with agencies in open and closed sessions, and providing legal conclusions and recommendations not only related to employees but elected individuals.

As Managing Partner of the Fresno and Sacramento offices, Shelline brings her extensive legal and management expertise to the numerous trainings and workshops she presents on topics including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, managing performance through evaluations, medical leave, discipline, hiring, firing, legal updates, Brown Act, ethics, and prevention of litigation. Shelline was recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer in the years 2004, 2006 and 2008-2019. Shelline was also chosen as one of the Fresno Magazine's "Employment and Labor Super Lawyers" in 2009, and named one of the "Top Women Attorneys in Northern California" by San Francisco Magazine.

Shelline has served as the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer for the Litigation Section of the Federal Bar Association.

Prior to joining Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Shelline was a Managing Shareholder for a large national labor and employment law firm and managed their Central Valley office.

NEGOTIATIONS

City of Merced - Lead negotiator.

Cambria Community Service District - Lead negotiator.

City of Selma - Lead negotiator.

Tulare County - Lead negotiator and factfinding panel member.

Tulare County Public Authority/IHSS - Lead negotiator.

City of Kingsburg - Lead negotiator.

Merced County - Lead negotiator and factfinding panel member.

Merced County Public Authority/IHSS - Lead negotiator.

City of Dos Palos - Lead negotiator.

City of Porterville - Lead negotiator and factfinding panel member.

City of Arroyo Grande - Lead negotiator.

City of Sanger - Lead negotiator and factfinding panel member.

City of Visalia - Lead negotiator.

Monterey County - Lead negotiator.

City of Orange Cove - Lead negotiator.

City of Reedley - Lead negotiator.

State Center Community College District - Lead negotiator and factfinding panel member.

North Kern Water District - Lead negotiator.

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District - Lead negotiator.

South San Joaquin County Irrigation District - Lead negotiator.

Selma Kingsburg Fowler Sanitation District - Lead negotiator.

Merced County Housing Authority - Lead negotiator.

San Joaquin County  - Lead negotiator.

Fresno County - Factfinding panel member.

Fresno County Public Authority/IHSS - Lead negotiator.

Five Cities Fire Authority - Lead negotiator.

Mariposa County Public Authority/IHSS – Lead negotiator.

Federal Bar Association Litigation Chair, (2011)

Federal Bar Association Litigation Section Vice Chair, (2010)

Federal Bar Association Litigation Section Secretary, (2009)