Shelline Bennett has represented management in labor and employment-law matters for over 25 years. She has worked with both private and public employers, including cities, counties, special districts, housing authorities, and community colleges, as well as nonprofit organizations. She has an extensive litigation background in both federal and state courts. Shelline’s practice also includes representation in disciplinary appeals, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and labor relations and negotiations, including serving as lead negotiator at bargaining tables. Shelline has served as a factfinding panel member in a number of factfindings under both the MMBA and EERA. She advises and counsels in all labor and employment-law matters, including the meet and confer process, wage and hour issues, disability and leave issues, and due process and disciplinary matters. Shelline represents employers not only in court but before the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Labor Commissioner, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, arbitrators, and Personnel and Civil Service Commissions.
Shelline serves on the Executive Committee of the firm’s Investigation Practice Group. An experienced investigator, Shelline provides guidance to LCW investigators, establishes firmwide best practices in the area and conducts harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disciplinary-related investigations, including those of a sensitive nature and concerning high profile individuals. Shelline has extensive experience overseeing the entire investigation process, including retaining outside investigators, preparing and analyzing investigation findings of fact, working with agencies in open and closed sessions, and providing legal conclusions and recommendations not only related to employees but elected individuals. Shelline also regularly conducts full-day train the investigator trainings in compliance with Department of Fair Employment and Housing guidelines.
As Managing Partner of the Fresno and Sacramento offices, Shelline brings her extensive legal and management expertise to the numerous trainings and workshops she presents on topics including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, managing performance through evaluations, medical leave, discipline, hiring, firing, legal updates, Brown Act, ethics, and prevention of litigation.
Prior to joining Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Shelline was a Managing Shareholder for a large national labor and employment law firm and managed their Central Valley office.
Professional and Community Involvement
Shelline has served as the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer for the Litigation Section of the Federal Bar Association.
Recognitions
Shelline has continued to be recognized throughout her career, including the following:
- Northern California Super Lawyers, (2004, 2006, 2008-2022)
- “Top Women Attorneys in Northern California,” San Francisco Magazine, (2013)
- Fresno Magazine’s Employment and Labor Super Lawyer, (2009)
