Chelsea Petersen

Companies call on me to investigate their most critical workplace matters. Investigations involving corporate executives, possible press coverage, anticipated litigation, or otherwise highly complex situations are my primary focus. I do routinely jump in to handle more straightforward investigations if a company needs an external resource, an extra set of hands, or significant litigation experience. Regardless of the scale or scope, I counsel company management, leadership or Boards of Directors through what can be the most consequential phase of an investigation: the decisions and action necessary to respond to investigation findings. I enjoy regularly training internal corporate HR departments on investigation best practices as well as auditing a company's regular investigation processes, coordination with legal, or complaint submission and tracking tools. My litigation experience over the past two decades includes the successful defense of scores of employment class actions. Everything from early strategic assessment, defeat of class certification, oversight of expert witnesses to taking a case to trial. Representative clients include Comcast, Amazon, OfficeMax, and The Boeing Company. I have resolved or fought individual claims and charges brought before federal or state enforcement agencies or the court. I have also served as an employment law counselor, working closely with clients to minimize the possibility of litigation by providing efficient advice regarding every-day human resources issues, handbooks and policies.Outside of work, I have two primary indulgences. First, my life-long love of gardening. I recently became a Certified Master Gardener volunteer and I serve on the Board of the Master Gardener Foundation of King County. And, second, after having successfully retiring from the world of elite level rowing after the 1996 Olympics, I recently slid into the coxswain's seat of the Olden Bears Rowing Club. Despite the 30-year gap it has turned out to be amazingly fun. The Olden Bears (a play on the "California Golden Bears") is a growing team of mostly Cal alumni who competitively race at the Head of the Charles, the San Diego Crew Classic, the Masters World Championships and other races. Go Bears!