LOS ANGELES – Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (“LCW”) is pleased to announce that Lisa S. Charbonneau, Christopher M. Fallon, Paul D. Knothe, Alysha Stein-Manes, Joung H. Yim, and Danny Y. Yoo have been named Partner, effective October 1, 2022.
“We are proud to welcome Lisa, Chris, Paul, Alysha, Joung, and Danny to our partnership,” said J. Scott Tiedemann, Managing Partner of LCW. “They each bring unique skill sets and perspectives to the partnership that will benefit us immediately. Collectively, they represent the future of the firm, which makes this a really exciting time at LCW.”
The elevation of these 6 individuals represents LCW’s largest class of new partners in firm history. LCW has repeatedly been recognized for its commitment to opportunity for advancement and is thrilled that Lisa, Christopher, Paul, Alysha, Joung and Danny have chosen to make their careers here. Each share a common love for the firm and dedication to our clients across the state. As we continue to grow for the future we warmly welcome these new partners and celebrate their accomplishments.
Background on Our New Partners
Lisa S. Charbonneau, San Francisco Office, represents public agencies throughout the state as a negotiator, litigator, and trusted advisor in all matters pertaining to labor and employment law. She has extensive experience in Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and wage and hour compliance, labor relations, collective bargaining, MOU audits, PERB practice, and public employee disciplinary matters. She also represents independent schools and non-profits in wage and hour matters.
Lisa has served as lead negotiator for public agencies in negotiations with public safety unions and numerous other employee associations and organizations. Lisa takes a hands-on approach to bargaining and strives to be highly responsive to the unique needs of each client and their governing body. Lisa’s litigation expertise ranges from FLSA collective action to individual employment law matters. Lisa currently serves on the Executive Committee of the firm’s Wage and Hour Practice Group and has taught LCW’s annual FLSA Academy since its inception.
Christopher M. Fallon, Los Angeles Office, provides representation and legal counsel to school and community college districts, special districts, independent schools, and non-profit entities. His practice focuses on matters pertaining to business and facilities including general vendor contracts, construction contracts and issues, procurement issues, property agreements and leases, and various business issues. Christopher has substantial experience assisting clients in all manners of their business, transactional, contract, and property needs. He 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.
Paul D. Knothe, Los Angeles Office, advises and represents public agency and community college clients in employment law, with an emphasis on public safety issues. Paul advises public safety agencies on complex and cutting-edge issues arising from police reform legislation, including the transparency laws reducing traditional Pitchess protections and exposing peace officer personnel records to disclosure in response to Public Records Act requests. He is a dynamic public speaker and provides training to law enforcement leaders on these reforms. Paul is also well versed in the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (“POBRA”) and handles sensitive disciplinary issues and high-profile civil litigation and disciplinary appeal cases regarding claims of uses of force, off-duty misconduct, and discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Additionally, Paul defends clients in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. He has successfully defended agencies in collective action, multi-plaintiff, and single-plaintiff employment matters. Paul litigates a full range of employment law matters including alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, POBRA, and wage and hour issues. He manages all aspects of litigation, from case assessment and pre-trial motion practice, through all forms of discovery proceedings, and settlement, to trial. Paul currently serves as a member of LCW’s Public Safety Practice Group Executive Committee.
Alysha Stein-Manes, Los Angeles Office, represents Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s public and private educational institution and other public agency clients in a range of employment, labor, and student matters.
Alysha regularly advises and provides representation to community college districts on matters regarding academic and classified employee evaluation and discipline; administrator contracts and evaluation; equal employment opportunity recruitment and hiring practices; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation investigations; general governance matters; California and federal Voting Rights Act compliance; government transparency under the Brown Act and California Public Records Act; and a variety of student matters.
Alysha is also a leader in the retirement and health arenas, providing counsel to LCW’s public agency and educational institution clients about the disability interactive process and Affordable Care Act, and to LCW’s public agency clients in the areas of the post-retirement work restrictions, PEPRA compliance, and reporting employee compensation to CalSTRS and CalPERS. She also has extensive experience as a litigator, representing public agencies and educational institutions at all levels of the litigation process in state and federal court.
Alysha currently serves on the Executive Committees for LCW’s Public Education Practice Group and Retirement, Benefits, and Disability Practice Group.
Joung H. Yim, Los Angeles Office, assists clients in matters pertaining to labor and employment law. He is a litigator and has won several jury trials. He has successfully represented public agencies in state and federal court in all phases of litigation, including discovery, law and motion and appeals. Joung represents cities, counties, and special districts in legal matters arising out of public employment, including issues pertaining to discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. He routinely represents employers involving alleged violations of Civil Rights, Title VII, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the California and United States Constitution on claims for wrongful discharge.
While Joung represents all types of employers, he has extensive experience representing law enforcement and fire agencies, including successfully prosecuting employee discipline and grievance matters involving public safety employees. He is well versed in the Peace Officers Bill of Rights Act, the Firefighters Bill of Rights Act and has handled writs of mandate related to these rights. Joung provides day to day advice and counsel on employment matters, including issues related to the Public Records Act, the Brown Act, interactive process and internal investigations.
Danny Y. Yoo, Los Angeles Office, represents public agency clients in all facets of labor and employment law. He regularly provides advice and counsel to clients on the hiring process, evaluation and discipline of employees, disability interactive process, and retirement issues. Danny assists clients in auditing rules, policies, practices, and labor contracts for compliance with wage and hour, leaves, and retirement laws.
As a litigator, he has successfully represented clients in administrative appeal hearings of employee discipline, employee grievances, and in CalPERS matters. He has also litigated on behalf of clients in state and federal court, both at the trial and appellate level. Danny’s litigation matters include wage and hour, discrimination, employee discipline, and retirement.
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore congratulates Lisa, Christopher, Paul, Alysha, Joung, and Danny.
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Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is a labor, employment, and full service education law firm that provides comprehensive, responsive, and highly competent legal advice, representation, litigation services, negotiations and training to public entities, educational institutions and non-profit organizations throughout California. The firm has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, San Diego, and Sacramento. For more information, visit our website: www.lcwlegal.com.
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Cynthia Weldon
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