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Kerry E. Kennedy
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Kerry E. Kennedy
Law Office of Kerry Kennedy
2000 Broadway Street
Suite 102
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 365-5986 | Fax: (650) 367-4043
http://kerrykennedylaw.com/
Employment Law For Employers & Businesses Only
Legal Topic
Employment & Labor Relations
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to work with small and medium sized businesses that are trying to comply with the law and just need help in navigating the choppy waters that are California Employment Law.
Sub-Categories
Employment & Labor Relations
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Affirmative Action
- Age Discrimination
- Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Compensation, Benefits, & Pensions
- Disability Discrimination
- Discipline/Suspension
- Emotional Distress
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
- Employee Rights
- Employment Contracts
- Equal Pay Act (EPA)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Government Employees
- Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA)
- Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
- Race Discrimination
- Racial Harassment
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
- Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866
- Severance Packages
- Sex Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Termination
- Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act
- Wage & Hour Laws
- Whistleblower
- Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification (WARN) Act
- Wrongful Termination
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1991
Bar Number: 154565
Other Court Admissions
California
Federal Supreme Court
Ninth District Court of Appeals
Northern District of California
Association Memberships
Employment Law Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association
Employment Law Section of the California State Bar
Business Litigation Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association
Business Litigation Section of the California State Bar
Continuing Education
I have consistently accomplished double the hours than required for continuing legal education. I always attend the State Bar Employment Law Section Conference in October.
Papers and Publications
I was one of many authors of a paralegal guide for immigration law published by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center of San Francisco.
Example Cases
1. Wrongful Termination: Getting a court to throw a case out before trial is notoriously difficult in an employment case. I convinced a judge to grant such a dismissal (called a summary judgment) saving the employer tens of thousands of dollars in attorney's fees that they would have paid for litigation through trial.
2. Overtime and meal period claims: Because of my extensive experience before the California Labor Commission, I have been able to defend employers in these cases very efficiently, winning cases of $25,000 to $35,000 for typically less than $4,000 in fees.
3. Commercial Lease: My client had signed an expensive lease for a production facility and then realized that the location was not appropriate for their use. I helped them negotiate a complete cancellation, saving them tens of thousands of dollars.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Golden Gate University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1991
Honors:
Merit Scholar
Focus and Accomplishments:
Employment Law, Litigation
Degree:
B.A.
School:
San Jose State University
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1973
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Behavioral Science
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I have been a sole practitioner in employment law for my whole legal career. My focus is small and medium sized business clients.
Previous Employment Summary
I have worked in employee relations with a focus on employment law since 1975. Prior to attending law school I was self-employed as an employee relations consultant and as an adjudicator (deciding eligibility) for the Unemployment Insurance Division.
Activities and Awards
Serving on panels at Unemployment Administrative Law Judge Conferences.
Speaking on various topics in employment law before employer groups.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage all of my clients to learn as much as they can about the legal issues that confront them. I often purchase Nolo books for my clients to meet this goal.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes, I encourage clients to draft documents for me to review.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am not only willing but often do coach clients.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer after having been involved in employment law as a state employee and then as a consultant. Getting a law degree was the natural progression of my career path.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Training and work as a neighborhood mediator and deciding eligibility for Unemployment Insurance Benefits require one to consider both sides of a dispute. I believe I am a more effective advocate for my clients because I can anticipate the opposition's arguments, the strengths, and weaknesses of both sides in a dispute.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I had already been involved in employment law as a consultant for 15 years. Law practice was the natural progression of my career path.
What do you like best about your career?
The most gratifying aspect of my career is taking the burden off my client of knowing and applying the myriad and complex aspects of California employment law. I want my clients to know as much as possible about their legal obligations but I know they can't take the time necessary to really keep on top of everything. I like being their resource.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner and handle the legal work myself. I am an active member of our local employment law bar and have great colleagues with whom I can associate if a case requires two or more hands.
What are your strengths and style?
I am very accessible to my clients, almost always able to return phone calls within an hour. I am practical and realistic, helping employers make good business decisions while complying with the law.
My greatest expertise is in Administrative Law. I have represented clients at over 1,000 hearings before various government boards and agencies. The bulk of my experience has been before those state and federal agencies which enforce employment law, such as the California Labor Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the federal Department of Labor.
My style is collaborative. I like clients to be fully involved in considering options and making decisions relating to employment law. However, I am flexible and have clients who range from those who just want me to "handle it" to others who want to know every detail.
Personal Interests:
I belong to a public speaking club, I have season tickets to the American Conservatory Theater, and I have season tickets to the Peninsula Speakers Series.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(650) 367-4043
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Not applicable
Hourly Rates
$300 per hour. I have no minimum charges and run a timer while working. If I work on your matter for 8 minutes, you are billed for 8 minutes.
Free Initial Consultation?
I am always willing to provide a short free consultation.
Typical Retainer
$2,500 for general services and $5,000 for litigation.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
