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Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is California’s premier labor, education, and employment law firm. We provide training, education, and legal representation to hundreds of public agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across the state of California.
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Heather R. Coffman

Associate
415.512.3013 | hcoffman@lcwlegal.com

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.

Professional and Community Involvement

Heather is a member in good standing of the California Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. She is also a member of the California Council of School Attorneys (CCSA).

Recognitions

Heather was selected as a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015.

Photo team member

Expertise

Education

JD, University of California, Hastings College of Law

MALD, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

BA, Tufts University

Did You Know

You can regularly catch Heather attending live music events throughout the Bay Area.

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.

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.

Sonoma County – Union and Employee units.

Marin Community College District –  Classified Employee Units.

No Publications

November 08, 2021
Supervising and Managing Employees After COVID-19: Navigating Employee Leave Rights and Teleworking and Other Accommodation Requests
Webinar | Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) Summer Webinar Series
June 23, 2021
Back to School: Community College Return to Campus Toolkit
Webinar

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