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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. LCW also provides expert and cost-effective investigation services to California businesses.
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Kevin J. Chicas

Associate
619.481.5911 | kchicas@lcw.wpxnew.riefmedia.com

Kevin has spent his legal career working for and with public agencies.  Prior to joining Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Kevin served as Deputy County Counsel for Tulare County.  His areas of expertise include labor negotiations, labor relations, and employment law.   Kevin is a member of the firm’s Labor Relations practice group and regularly advises and represents clients in navigating their various meet and confer obligations under the MMBA, EERA and TEERA.

As a chief negotiator, Kevin represents clients at the bargaining table, negotiating bargaining agreements and matters such as compensation, mandatory access under A.B. 119, employee communication, remote work, and other terms and conditions of employment.  Kevin also serves as a trusted advisor by counseling clients negotiating with their own bargaining units, providing advice during and away from the table.

Kevin regularly represents agencies before PERB on matters such as unfair practice charges, representation issues, and requests for injunctive relief.  He also serves as an instructor for the firm’s internal PERB Academy, training colleagues on handling matters before PERB and subsequent appeals. Finally, Kevin served a lead role in advising clients in complying with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME and Senate Bill 866.

Photo team member

Expertise

Education

JD, University of Minnesota Law School

BA, University of California, Irvine

Did You Know

Kevin is an avid tennis player.

Sweetwater Authority – Miscellaneous units.

City of Norwalk – Advice and Counsel to Agency Bargaining Team.

Grossmont Cuyamaca CCD – Bargaining return to work and remote working arrangements for classified employees.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority – Bargaining with miscellaneous units regarding agency shop and A.B. 119.

City of Lomita – Presenting case to factfinding panel.

City of Redondo Beach – Presenting case to factfinding panel.

Culver City Employees Association v. City of Culver City (2020) – PERB denied majority of relief requested by association.

SEIU v. County of Riverside (2019) – PERB ALJ denied majority of relief requested by union.

Police Lieutenant v. City of Murrieta (2020) – Hearing officer affirmed City’s decision to deny police lieutenant’s industrial disability retirement application.

Classified Employee v. County of Tulare (2013) – Hearing officer affirmed termination against a classified employee for performance issues.

Classified Employee v. City of Norwalk – Personnel Appeals Board upheld City’s decision regarding application of special pay provisions in bargaining agreement.

Police Officers’ Union v. County of Los Angeles – Hearing officer upheld City’s decision in applying seniority list rules in bargaining agreement.

SEIU v. County of Riverside (2019) – Court granted County’s opposition to petition for writ of mandate denying majority of public record and information requests submitted to County in connection with bargaining.

Best Practices for Communicating with Employees on Medical Leave and Utilizing Intermittent Leave Schedules
12/30/2020
California Public Agency Labor & Employment Blog

During these unprecedented times, it is likely that employees may be utilizing various forms of protected leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA).  Some employees may be tempted to work remotely during their leave, perhaps to catch up, to stay ahead,...

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Post-Janus Power Shift of California’s Private and Public Sector Unions
07/31/2020
The Daily Journal

“Post-Janus Power Shift of California’s Private and Public Sector Unions,” discusses how as private sector management rights grow, public sector employers are seeing a growing imbalance.  This article was published in the Daily Journal.

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Public Sector Unions Not Liable For Repayment Of Agency Fees
01/13/2020
The Daily Journal

This article addresses the recent case “Danielson v. Inslee” in which the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit that public employees filed against the exclusive representative of their bargaining unit, and held that public sector unions are not liable for...

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