Our People

Peter Brown has been involved in all areas of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore's practice since 1989. His career has evolved from representing public agencies in litigation and all types of administrative hearings to now, where he spends most days -  at the collective bargaining table or in a City Council or Board meeting advising on labor negotiations. 

Dan Cassidy is among the most experienced and accomplished practitioners in the fields of public sector labor relations, negotiations and employment law.  For more than 30 years, he has effectively advocated on behalf of counties, cities, special districts, community colleges and school districts in negotiations, arbitrations and in civil service commission and other administrative hearings.  Dan, a founding partner of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, has negotiated hundreds of labor agreements for his public agency clients, and various public safety, general, professional, and supervisory units.  He has also represented public agencies as a presenter and panel member in numerous interest arbitrations and factfinding proceedings.

Melanie represents and regularly advises cities, counties, community college districts, school districts, public safety departments and special districts regarding employee and labor relations matters.  The breadth of her experience as both a negotiator and a litigator informs her practical approach to the myriad of labor and employment issues faced by public entities.

As Executive Director, Gary Connally manages the day-to-day business affairs of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, including finance and administration, human resources and firm-wide operations.  In this role he provides daily guidance to the firm on the myriad of issues a small business faces, and in addition helps to formulate and implement our long-range strategic plans. Since Gary joined the firm in 2001, LCW has more than doubled in size.

Heather DeBlanc is the Chair of the firm's Business and Facilities Practice Group. She practices education, construction, business, contract and employment law (with an emphasis in benefits), representing both nonprofit and public entity clients.

Jenny Denny, an associate at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s Los Angeles Office, provides assistance to clients in matters pertaining to employment law, litigation services, private education and public education law.

Chelsea M. Desmond is an Associate in the Los Angeles office of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, specializing in litigation.  Chelsea defends public agencies against a wide variety of employment claims brought under state and federal law, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and whistleblower retaliation.  She is also experienced in defending claims involving excessive force, constitutional violations, dangerous public property conditions, class actions and tort liability. Chelsea handles all phases of litigation, including discovery, motions, mediation and trial preparation. Chelsea was a Judicial Extern to Federal District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee, and to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt. 

As IT Director, Jay provides the overall strategic direction of the firm's technology with primary responsibilities of evaluating and deploying new technology, information and network security and managing IT operations.  Jay also manages the firm’s litigation technology including document review applications, workflows and procedures in the discovery/production process.  He is also responsible for establishing the firm's IT policies and procedures, systems documentation, IT best practices, backup and disaster recovery strategy, IT department budgeting and supervises application training for LCW attorneys and staff.

With almost 40 years of experience in labor, employment, and education law, Mary Dowell has assisted clients in a myriad of employment and education-related issues.  Her primary area of expertise is representing and advising community college districts in a general counsel role, specifically in education, labor and employment-related matters.

Christopher provides representation and legal counsel to school and community college district, special districts, independent schools, and non-profit entities.  His practice focuses on matters pertaining to business and facilities including general business contracts, construction contracts, and litigation. Christopher is also a LEED (Leadership in Energy Environmental Design) Green Associate, meaning he has been accredited by the U. S. Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) as a professional with extensive knowledge of green building practices, construction, and operations.  The LEED Green Associate is a highly accredited degree that recognizes individuals who specialize in green building practices and design, implementation, and regulatory requirements.