Michael Kalt is a partner in the Employment Law Practice Group of Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, where he has worked since 1996. His employment law practice emphasizes the litigation and trial of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination cases in state and federal court. Michael also provides advice and training to employers on employee discipline and investigations, employment policies and procedures, and fair employment practices. Michael represents businesses of all sizes and in most industry sectors. He is an accomplished writer and oral advocate and has prevailed through summary judgment in dozens and dozens of litigated matters and has also prevailed before the California Supreme Court and California Court of Appeal, resulting in several published decisions. (Jones v. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Partnership (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1158 [no individual liability for FEHA retaliation], Acuna v. SDGE (2013) 217 Cal.4th 1402 [successive administrative charges does not extend statute of limitations after right-to-sue notice issued] and Tu v. UCSD Medical Centers (S.D. Ca. 2002) 201 F. Supp. 2d 1126 [precluding negligent infliction of emotional distress claims for intentional employment decisions].)

Michael is currently the Governmental Affairs Director for the California State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management (CalSHRM) and tracks and oversees the legislative advocacy efforts for its 30,000 members, including testifying before various legislative committees on employment matters. He formerly was Vice President-Legislation for the San Diego Chapter of SHRM where he monitored the federal and state employment-related developments for its 1,000 members. He is also the Legislative Liaison and a Steering Committee Member for the Employment and Labor Committee for the Defense Research Institute and editor of its annual 50-state new employment laws compendium and is the editor of the Firm’s monthly employment newsletter. He is also the former author of the ADR Case Notes Column of the statewide publication: California Labor and Employment Review.

Michael has been elected by fellow attorneys as a Super Lawyer by Law and Politics Magazine from 2007 to 2018 for labor and employment law. He was also named by the San Diego Daily Transcript as one of the top 10 Labor and Employment attorneys in 2009 and 2012, and by Super Lawyer as one of the top 10 attorneys in 2013 and one of the top 50 attorneys in San Diego from 2012-2018.

Chris Hoffman is the founding and managing partner of the San Diego office. He has represented hundreds of employers in matters ranging from class action litigation, to traditional labor matters and general employment advice. He also co-chairs the Automobile Dealers Industry Group.

While litigation remains a significant portion of his practice, Chris also spends a significant amount of time counseling clients regarding day-to-day employment issues and assisting them to find practical and proactive solutions to their legal problems.

Chris was selected for inclusion in San Diego Super Lawyers 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and he was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2013, 2014, and 2016 - 2019.

Danielle Moore is a partner in the firm's San Diego office, chairs the firm’s Development Committee and is a former co-chair of the Fisher Phillips firm-wide Women's Initiative and Leadership Council.

She represents and counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including employment discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-hour class action lawsuits, as well as employment handbook and personnel policy preparation, and general preventive advice including hiring, discipline and termination practices. Danielle has experience litigating matters in state and federal courts, state administrative tribunals, and in arbitration.

Danielle regularly conducts management training and lectures on employment issues. She also teaches an employment law course at San Diego State University and serves on the Human Resources Advisory Board for the University. Danielle also serves on the Board of Directors for the PHCC Academy and the Lawyers Club of San Diego. Danielle also serves as President of the Lawyers Club’s North County Chapter.

Danielle is "AV" Peer Review Rated Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and was recently recognized in the 2020 edition of “Best Lawyers in America ,” one of San Diego’s 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 "Top Attorneys," one of 2014 and 2015’s "Best of the Bar," as well as one of the "Top 40 under 40 Best and Brightest Minds of San Diego." Danielle was also a 2016 finalist for San Diego Magazine’s “Woman of the Year."

Danielle started her career working on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for Senator Charles Grassley in Washington D.C.

Catherine Mattice Zundel, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and partners with her clients to help them create positive cultures. Her clients include everything from Fortune 500’s to small nonprofits and absolutely everything in between. She has published in a variety of industry magazines and has also appeared on/in NPR, CNN, USA Today, Forbes.com, and more as an expert. In his foreword to her first book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, Ken Blanchard said it was “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook” on workplace bullying. She’s written two additional books since then, and is one of the founders of the National Workplace Bullying Coalition and a LinkedIn Learning/Lynda.com course author.

Mike Letizia is founder and President of Letizia HR Solutions, Inc. He is a senior human resource professional consultant with over 35 years’ experience in the full scope of HR functional areas. His background includes over 23 years of leadership at a director, vice president, and president leadership level.
He is a credentialed member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2002, gained his SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) credential in July 2015 passing the certification exam. A strong believer in stewardship and community involvement, Mike served as the Pacific West Region Representative on SHRM’s Membership Advisory Council for 2015 & 2016 and currently serves as Interim State Director for CalSHRM.
Mike is a contracted instructor for SHRM delivering both virtual and face-to-face human resource education courses throughout the USA and California. He frequently facilitates SHRM’s “California HR: Applying California Employment Law to HR Practices,” “Human Resource Business Partner,” “SHRM Certification Exam Preparation,” and several others. He is a frequent speaker at business and trade associations delivering presentations, workshops and courses on a variety of human resource topics and has worked with the University of the Pacific’s Career Resource Center and Eberhart Business School assisting students with career preparation, since 2004.

Jason Gabhart joined SHRM in March 2014 as the California State Government Relations Advisor. Working closely with the California State Council of SHRM, Jason advocates for SHRM’s interests in the California State Legislature, the Governor’s office, and various state agencies and departments.

Prior to joining SHRM, Jason served as external relations manager at the California Optometric Association (COA), where he assisted optometrists with third party payer issues and with matters they confronted as small business owners. Jason’s previous career experience includes advocacy positions with the Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies (ACLHIC) and Griffin & Associates, where he was a legislative and regulatory advocate with both entities. Jason began his career as an attorney with the law firm of Rich, Fuidge, Morris & Iverson.

Jason received a Juris Doctorate degree from UC Davis Law School, and a Bachelor in Arts degree in political science from UC Berkeley.

Jonathan is an experienced Program Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration and retail banking industries. Strong operations professional skilled in Business Planning, Customer Service, Banking, Coaching, and Sales. Now with CalSavers focused on Coalition Building, Outreach, and Stakeholder Engagement.

Mr. Searles helps organizations in Commerce, Education, Healthcare, and Government become safer and more efficient work places by designing Enterprise Wide Safety and Security Programs that help mitigate their risk.


-Certified Active Shooter Response Instructor (ALERRT)
-Certified Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event Instructor (ALERRT)
-Certified Instructor Low Light Tactics (ALERRT)
-Certified Sports and Large Event Risk Management (DHS & FEMA)
-Certified Threat and Risk Assessment (DHS & FEMA)
-Certified Reality Based Training Instructor
-Certified TCOLE Firearms Instructor
-Certified in Conflict Resolution

As SHRM’s Senior State Affairs Advisor since May of 2006, Bob has been responsible for coordinating SHRM’s member advocacy and state legislative affairs operations. A seasoned government relations professional with over 25 years experience in both the public and private sectors, Carragher began his career as a personal staff member to U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). He later served as a legislative liaison for a national labor law firm representing clients before Congress and the Executive Branch.

He has also managed the government relations and member advocacy programs of two business trade associations representing the automotive aftermarket and the steel service center industries. In addition, he has represented various other trade associations and Fortune 500 companies in Washington on a range of issues, including labor law developments and tax and international trade matters.

Carragher is a graduate of the University of Rochester in Upstate New York with a BA in American History.

Mr. De Wames, Managing Partner, is responsible for the firm’s employment law practice. Before his promotion, he was Of Counsel, managing the firm’s employment law section in Southern California. He represents businesses in a wide range of employment and labor law matters, including wage-and-hour issues, and cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and class actions. He is an expert in devising creative and effective strategies for investigating, litigating and negotiating settlements. He counsels business owners, managers and HR professionals on federal and state labor regulations, and is an experienced advocate before the EEOC, DLSE and other governmental agencies. Mr. De Wames has particular expertise advising the restaurant and retail industries, and has served as counsel for small startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Before joining Michael Sullivan & Associates, Mr. De Wames was Of Counsel for Messner Reeves in Los Angeles as an employment law practitioner. He helped the Denver-based firm establish its Los Angeles employment practice and was one of the primary California employment litigator/counselors for the firm’s largest client. An experienced litigator, he mentored and supervised new associates at the firm, where he received the California Super Lawyer Rising Star Award from Super Lawyers/Thomson Reuters.

As Partner at Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz in Los Angeles, Mr. De Wames managed the Los Angeles office’s employment practice. He acted as lead trial counsel, built clientele at the firm and represented it at employment law conferences. Here, too, he received the California Super Lawyer Rising Star Award from Super Lawyers/Thomson Reuters.

Mr. De Wames was an Associate Attorney at Klinedinst Attorneys in Los Angeles, serving as a second-chair litigator in civil trials, conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses and arguing evidentiary motions. He also conducted firm seminars on procedure and strategy in summary judgment motions.

Mr. De Wames received his Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, where he was on the Dean’s Honor List and received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in torts. He was also a member of the Traynor Honor Society. Mr. De Wames received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, where he was on the Dean’s Honor List and served as a Legal Intern in the Office of

Tracy Sanders, Esq. is an accomplished attorney, author, and speaker.
Ms. Sanders established Natural Hair and the Law, an organization formed to provide publications, workshops, and events addressing legal issues related to natural hair in the workplace and schools. Ms. Sanders is author of “Natural Hair in the Workplace: What Are Your Rights?,” which has been featured in Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Essence, Los Angeles Sentinel,
Naturally Curly, New Growth Magazine, and Top 100 Magazine. She also wrote another book, “Natural Hair Affirmations.” The books are available for purchase online at Barnes and Noble. Ms. Sanders received numerous prestigious awards. She was honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition from United States Congresswoman Karen Bass for outstanding community service at Extraordinary Women Rock. Ms. Sanders is a recipient of Comerica Bank Los Angeles Lakers Women's Business Awards and Angels in Red Awards.
Additionally, she was a featured speaker at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Leadership Seminar, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, and Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Ms. Sanders made appearances on TV networks such as ABC, Fox,
MSNBC, TLC, and WE. Ms. Sanders obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science from the University of South Carolina, Master of Public
Administration degree from the University of South Carolina, and Juris Doctorate degree from Syracuse University School of Law. She is a member of the American Bar Association, American Society for Public Administration, and Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Ms. Sanders attributes her success to a passion for promoting liberty, empowerment, and social justice.

Bruce J. Sarchet has focused his entire legal career on the representation of management in labor and employment law matters and has particular expertise in issues involving:

Unionized employers
Violence in the workplace
Employment discrimination
Employee leaves of absence
He regularly appears in state and federal courts and before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on matters involving:

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
California's Educational Employment Relations Act
California's Meyers Milias Brown Act
With energy, enthusiasm, and intense focus, Bruce provides clients with superior quality work and exceptional client service and has earned a reputation as a hands-on problem solver. He provides consultation and representation to large, medium and small businesses across California in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, transportation, technology, and construction. He also represents public sector employers. He crafts practical, real world solutions to workplace problems such as dealing with difficult employees and recognizing and balancing business realities and necessities with the need to minimize exposure to litigation.

For unionized employers, Bruce frequently serves as chief spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations and provides representation in grievances and arbitration hearings. He also represents employers during union organizing drives and unfair labor practice charges under the National Labor Relations Act.

An animated, effective and entertaining public speaker, Bruce regularly makes presentations to local professional organizations on labor and employment law topics and has also presented numerous in-house training sessions and workshops to management teams at private and public employers. Bruce has published numerous articles for local business journals, providing practical, hands-on labor and employment law advice to small business owners.

Eric Glassman has provided legal advice, training and litigation-related services to private corporations, non-profit organizations, and public agencies for more than 25 years.

Eric has conducted hundreds of seminars and workshops for managers and employees on a wide variety of topics. Attendees praise Eric’s comfortable and relatable style, and his ability to convey complex legal concepts without resorting to using “legalese.” He has an enthusiasm and talent for making workplace topics come alive.

Eric advises some of the nation’s top employers on workplace issues, including hiring and separation of employment. Eric has authored many articles on a variety of employment topics.

A respected workplace investigator, Eric has conducted numerous inquiries on behalf of employers, typically focused on allegations of employee and supervisor misconduct. Eric is adept at interviewing witnesses and interpreting key documents. He works discreetly and efficiently to provide necessary, timely, and accurate information even in the most complex of investigations. Eric is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators.

Eric is also an accomplished litigator, having taken more than 40 arbitrations to verdict.

By training and experience, Eric has developed a real passion for advancing diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. A long-time advocate for healthcare issues, he currently serves on the board of directors for DYF, a non-profit focused on improving the quality of life for children, teens, and families affected by diabetes.

Alden Parker is the managing partner of the firm's Sacramento office and the co-chair of the Hospitality Industry Group. Alden represents employers in all facets of employment law matters. He has considerable experience defending employers in litigation involving claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California’s wage and hour laws, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Alden has also defended employers against whistleblowing and retaliation claims, including claims under the California Whistleblower Act and various provisions of the California Labor Code.

Alden has extensive experience defending employers in federal and state court, as well as in investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), United States Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In addition to defending his clients in litigation, Alden frequently counsels employers to assist them in avoiding litigation. He regularly advises clients on leave management issues and the interactive process for employees with disabilities, reinstatement obligations under various leave laws and wage and hour compliance. Alden has prepared employee handbooks and a variety of agreements, including independent contractor, employment, confidentiality and trade secrets agreements.

His clients are involved in a variety of industries, including restaurants, retail, construction, and healthcare. Alden is also a frequent speaker for many human resources organizations, including those affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management.

Alden has been recognized in Northern California Super Lawyers since 2013 and Northern California Top Lawyers since 2014.

Vida Thomas is an Of Counsel attorney in Stoel Rives’ Labor & Employment group. An attorney who has practiced employment law for over 20 years, Vida advises employers regarding all aspects of employment law and human resources management, serves as an expert witness in state and federal employment lawsuits, and mediates litigation and non-litigation matters. Vida assists parties and attorneys in resolving employment claims, including but not limited to: harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims; wrongful termination claims; failure to accommodate and statutory leave violations; whistleblowing claims; wage and hour violations; invasion of privacy claims; and other statutory, tort and contract claims.

Vida also maintains a substantial workplace investigations practice, conducting impartial investigations into allegations of employee misconduct for private and public employers. She has conducted well over 100 workplace investigations and is experienced in complying with Title IX, Title V, the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights. She has considerable experience investigating matters within a union setting and is particularly adept at investigating complex matters involving high-profile employers and individuals. Vida has been certified as an expert on investigations in federal court and frequently trains attorneys and human resources professionals on how to conduct legally effective workplace investigations.

Vida also routinely conducts sexual harassment prevention training (including AB1825 compliance training) for state agencies and private companies. She teaches human resources professionals and EEO officers how to conduct effective workplace investigations, and teaches managers and supervisors how to implement legally effective performance reviews. Clients have complimented Vida’s knack for making the law accessible, explaining complex legal concepts in a way that is both thorough and easy to understand. She believes training is most effective when it provides concrete, useful tips for navigating today’s complicated and highly regulated workplace.

She has advised clients and conducted dozens of seminars on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, employee drug testing and sexual harassment investigations.

Jeanine brings a practical, business-aware perspective to representing her employer clients. She helps businesses avoid lawsuits through thoughtful advice and counsel, well-crafted policies, and staff training. Jeanine also vigorously defends employers in lawsuits brought by current or former employees.

Jeanine represents employers in all areas of employment and benefits law, including wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefit plan corrections and other employment-related claims.

Jeanine assists clients in creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures, conducting harassment investigations, and counseling on employee performance management, including corrective actions and terminations. Jeanine often presents customized, on-site training programs for clients on a variety of human resources issues.

Jeanine is a sought-after presenter and offers engaging and entertaining workplace training programs, including harassment prevention training as required by California law.

Jeanine writes regularly about employment issues that are important for California employers at http://calemploymentlawblog.com.

When not defending employers, Jeanine coaches her kids’ soccer and baseball teams and is a baseball umpire (a welcome arena where her judgment cannot be questioned by anyone!).