Elise O'Brien

Elise has extensive experience representing employers in federal and state court litigation involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour claims. She has successfully represented management in various administrative forums, including the Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.Elise devotes a significant portion of her practice to advising employers on a broad spectrum of employment matters, including employee discipline, terminations, leaves of absence, and wage and hour issues. Elise regularly assists employers in drafting employment policies and handbooks to ensure compliance with California, Washington, and federal law.In addition to her employment practice, Elise practices agricultural law and has over 15 years’ experience enforcing trust rights of produce sellers under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) in U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts throughout the United States, including managing complex, multi-party PACA litigation. She also represents produce companies and individuals in administrative proceedings before the PACA Branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.