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, investigations, 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.

As Managing Partner of the Fresno office, 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 2008-2016. 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.

ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

In Re TVC (2008) - Tenured Faculty Termination. Faculty member terminated for excessive absences. The faculty member was absent for an average of 25% of each academic year. The faculty member filed an EEOC charge alleging disability discrimination. The matter settled for nuisance value at the EEOC mediation.

LITIGATION

Gunn v. Fresno Community Hospital (2011) - Fresno County Superior Court breach of implied contract case.

Noriega v. City of Madera (2011) - State Court. Police officer petitioned the Court for a writ alleging POBR and due process violations.  After the writ hearing, the Judge ruled in the City's favor.

Myers v. City of Madera (2011) - Federal Court. A former police officer filed suit against the City, its Police Department, and several high-ranking officers based on an alleged violation of his civil rights, among other claims. The Court granted the defendants' motion for judgment on the pleadings, with leave to amend. The Court later granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiff's first amended complaint, with leave to amend. Plaintiff delayed filing a second amended complaint and the Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss the entire action.

Powell v. City of Madera (2010) - State Court. Police officer petitioned the Court for a writ seeking to compel the City to make him a permanent Sergeant and alleging POBR violations. After the writ hearing, the Judge ruled in favor of the City and its Police Department.

Steele v. KFSN Television (2010) - Fresno County Superior Court case alleging race and disability discrimination.

Creighton v. City of Livingston (2009) - Federal Court. Former employee brought a retaliation suit against the City and its City Manager, claiming the City terminated him because he exercised his free speech rights. Six of the seven claims were dismissed following a motion to dismiss. The decision is published at 628 F.Supp.2d 1199 (E.D.Cal. 2009). Plaintiff re-alleged all but one of the claims in an Amended Complaint, and upon a second motion to dismiss, another claim was dismissed.

Ellis v. City of Reedley (2007) - (Not Reported) Former police officer sued City-employer for several claims relating to his termination, including disability discrimination and failure to provide reasonable accommodation and engage in the interactive process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We successfully obtained summary judgment in favor of the City on all three ADA causes of action.

NEGOTIATIONS

City of Merced - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables, including International Association of Firefighters, Police Officers Association, and Safety supervisor group.

Cambria Community Service District - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables, including SEIU table, and International Association of Firefighters.

City of Selma - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables, including Fire group, Deputy Sheriffs' Association, and Safety supervisor group.

Tulare County - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables, including SEIU table, Fire group, Deputy Sheriffs Association, and Safety supervisor group; County factfinding panel member.

City of Kingsburg - Lead negotiator with International Association of Firefighters, Police Officers Association.

Merced County - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables, including SEIU table, Deputy Sheriffs' Association, Correctional Officers, Dispatchers and Coroners, and Safety Supervisor Groups; County factfinding panel member.

City of Dos Palos - Lead negotiator with Police Officers Association.

City of Porterville - Lead negotiator with Safety Group and Police Officers Association; factfinding panel member.

City of Arroyo Grande - Lead negotiator with Police Officers Association.

City of Sanger - Lead negotiator with Police Officers Association; factfinding panel member.

City of Visalia - International Association of Firefighters, POA, and Safety Supervisor Groups.

Monterey County - County lead negotiator for all bargaining tables with Deputy Sheriffs' Association.

City of Orange Cove - Lead negotiator with Police Officers Association.

City of Reedley - Lead negotiator with Police Officers Association.

State Center Community College District - Lead negotiator for all bargaining tables; factfinding panel member.

North Kern Water District - Lead negotiator.

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District - Lead negotiator.

Selma Kingsburg Fowler Sanitation District - Lead negotiator.

Merced County Housing Authority - Lead negotiator.

San Joaquin County - Lead negotiator.

Fresno County - County factfinding panel member, including fact finding with SEIU.

Federal Bar Association Litigation Chair, (2011)

Federal Bar Association Litigation Section Vice Chair, (2010)

Federal Bar Association Litigation Section Secretary, (2009)