Jennifer M. Fontaine

Associate

Jennifer Fontaine represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law.  She defends clients in litigation of claims for wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, and wage and hour violations in both the single plaintiff and class action context.  Jennifer also counsels employers on handbooks, policies, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, and employee discipline and discharges to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer worked as an associate at Cooley LLP, where she represented technology companies in complex commercial litigation and intellectual property matters.

 

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. 2008
  • Duke University, B.S.E. in Civil Engineering with Departmental Distinction, 2004

Professional Experience

  • Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP, Associate, April 2013 – present
  • Cooley LLP, Associate, 2008-2013
  • Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP, Summer Associate, 2007

Admissions

  • All California state courts
  • United States District Courts for the Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California

Professional Activities

  • Member, State Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Member, San Diego County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Volunteer Judge, Texas Young Lawyer Association's National Trial Competition, 2015

 

Publications

  • Severance Agreements - Do's and Don'ts For Employers, Law360, November 2015
  • Planning This Year’s Company Holiday Party, Matthew Bender’s California Labor and Employment Bulletin, 2013 Vol. 11, 359, 2013

Speaking Engagements

  •  Personnel Law 101: The Basics, San Diego Employers Association, June 2013

Representative Matters

  • Jury trial to defense verdict in the first case tried nationally of a fraud claim against a law school based on allegations of misrepresenting post-graduate employment data
  • Federal jury trial to defense verdict for public research institution in race and disability discrimination case; second chair
  • Defeated class certification in multiple cases bringing fraud claims against educational institutions
  • Negotiated favorable settlements of discrimination and sexual harassment claims on behalf of temporary staffing agency
  • Representation of clients in front of governmental agencies, including DLSE, WCAB, DFEH, OSHA, and PERB
     

Trials, Arbitrations and Disciplinary Hearings

  • Defense verdict in jury trial for Thomas Jefferson School of Law in the first case tried nationally of a fraud claim against a law school based on allegations of misrepresenting post-graduate employment data (San Diego Superior Court)