Press Release 03.06.24
JoAnna Brooks brings clients a wealth of experience in class action litigation, having handled over 80 class actions in California over the past decade.
JoAnna’s practice focuses on advising clients on employment best practices and providing defense counsel in a variety of cases, including those involving harassment, discrimination, breach of contract, wage and hour disputes, and unfair business practices. JoAnna also provides in-person interactive training for clients.
JoAnna’s experience includes defending clients through trial, as well as representing clients before the California Labor Commissioner, California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, showcasing her comprehensive approach to client advocacy.
Representative Experience
- Defeated class certification in a wage and hour class action for a nationwide retailer.
- Secured a defense verdict in a highly contentious trial involving alleged sexual misconduct.
- Helped clients navigate numerous complex legal disputes involving non-compete agreements.
Professional Highlights
Awarded American Jurisprudence Award, Georgetown University Law Center
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- News, Analysis & Press
- “Holiday Season, Pandemic Add Stress For Retail Employers,” Law360 Employment Authority, December 1, 2021
- “California HR Compliance Updates for 2021,” SHRM Online, January 8, 2021
- “EEOC Pilot Programs to Resolve Bias Complaints Raise Questions,” Bloomberg Law, August 3, 2020
- Speaking Engagements
- Employment Law Class Action Update: Analyzing Recent Trends and Developments, January 16, 2024
- Return to Work, Leaves of Absences and Vaccinations - The COVID-19 Impact on Working Women, April 15, 2021
- 2020 Virtual California Employer, November 19, 2020
- Women’s Leadership Initiative Roundtable Discussion: Work-From-Home Status, Diversity Panacea or Diversity Quagmire?, November 12, 2020
- Walnut Creek Breakfast Briefing, Walnut Creek, CA, February 5, 2020
- California Pay Stub Requirements – The Basics and Beyond, November 7, 2019
- Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series – Lafayette, January 24, 2019
- Retail Industry Roundtable, The 2018 Executive Employer® Conference, Phoenix, AZ, May 2, 2018
- 2018 Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series, San Francisco, CA, January 25, 2018
- 2018 Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series, San Francisco, CA, January 4, 2018
- What to Do When the DOL Comes Knocking, California CEB, San Francisco, CA, May 4, 2017
- Retail Industry Roundtable, The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, May 6, 2016
- New Employment and Labor Laws for 2015, Walnut Creek, CA, January 9, 2015
- The 2014 Employment Law Update: The Year in Review and What to Expect in 2015, Littler Mendelson, Walnut Creek, CA, December 2, 2014
- New Employment and Labor Laws for 2014 and 2015, San Francisco, CA, February 11, 2014
- Appearance Challenges Facing Retailers: Dress Codes, Piercings, Headscarves and Union Pins, San Francisco, CA, September 18, 2013
- Associations
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Member
- Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member
- Employment Law Section, Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member
- San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, Member
Education
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J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1995
B.A., Purdue University, 1992
Admissions
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California
Courts
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California