Jennifer Randlett Madden

Partner

621 Capitol Mall
18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Areas of Law:

Employment, Employment Litigation, Employment Counseling

Admitted to Practice in:

California

Jennifer Randlett Madden has extensive expertise advising and counseling local and national employers on California and federal labor and employment compliance. Jennifer represents both public and private employers in labor and employment litigation, including claims for wage and hour violations, unfair business practices, fraud, harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, unfair labor practices and breach of contract. Jennifer is also a prolific speaker, presenting a wide variety of employment law topics to local leaders and human resource professionals.

Experience

Represented Fortune 500 employer in a state-wide wage and hour class action litigation for unpaid overtime, missed rest and meal breaks, penalties and unfair business practices.

Successfully defended large local retailer in three week jury trial involving disability discrimination, accommodation and failure to engage in interactive process claims. Obtained defense verdict and award of costs.

Successfully opposed motions for class certification in both state and federal wage and hour class action litigation.

Represented large local company in litigation involving wage and hour claims, sexual harassment, disability discrimination and wrongful termination.

Defended Northern California public agency in a PERB unfair practices claims and in arbitrations alleging violations of collective bargaining agreements.

Represented a local biotechnology company in a four-day binding arbitration, and obtained a defense award on all claims plus defense costs and attorneys' fees.

Successfully defended a public irrigation district General Manager in a two week trial against claims of workplace violence.

Conducted investigations into employee complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

Conducted supervisor sexual harassment prevention training to over 30 California employers, including executive team training in harassment prevention and classification of independent contractors.

Prepared employment agreements, employee handbooks, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, drug testing and other employment policies.

General
Practice Group Leader of Downey Brand's Employment and Benefits Practice Management Group.

MEMBERSHIPS

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Legal & Legislative Group, Member

Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Member

Sacramento County Bar Association, Member

California State University, Sacramento, Human Resource Laws and Regulations, 2003 – 2006, Former Faculty

San Francisco Barristers', Board of Directors Former Treasurer; High-Tech Practice Section, Former Co-Founder & Chair; Labor & Employment Law Section, Former Chair

EDUCATION

University of San Francisco, School of Law (J.D., 1996)
University of Southern California, Los Angeles (B.A., 1992)

PUBLICATIONS

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Newsletter, “New Developments on the Arbitration Front,” December 2003, Author

California Labor & Employment Law Quarterly, “Employee Assistance Programs: What Your Clients Should Know,” Winter 2000, Author

PRESENTATIONS

Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, Annual Conference, "Counting the Hours: Increasing Accountability in Wage and Hour Practices," 2011, Co-Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law Update: A Review of Changes for 2011,” 2011, Presenter

Financial Executives International, Sacramento chapter, “Human Resources and Employment Law Update: Where do we go from here?” 2011, Co-presenter

Association of California Water Agencies, Annual Conference, “Top 10 Ways to Avoid Disability Discrimination Claims and Improve Interactive Process Compliance,” 2010, Co-presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law Update: Current Issues and Future Trends,” 2010, Presenter

Wilcox, Miller & Nelson, HR Executives in Transition, “Social Networks: A Modern Employer Threat,” 2009, Co-presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Annual Conference, "An Ounce of Prevention: Human Resources Role in Wage & Hour Claims," 2009, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law in Challenging Times: A Review of 2008 and Looking Forward to 2009,” 2009, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “A Human Resources Tool Box for Managers and Supervisors,” 2008, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Annual Conference, "Responding to Agency Charges," 2008, Presenter

Nonprofit Resource Center, “How to Properly Hire, Fire & Discipline Employees,” 2008, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “What Will They Think of Next: Changes in Employment Law for 2008,” 2008, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, In-Depth Seminar Series, “Navigating the Waters of California Law Regarding Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions”, 2007, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “A Human Resources Tool Box for Managers and Supervisors,” 2007, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, “Make Sense of California Leave Laws: Intersection and Overlap,” 2007, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law 2007: What You Need to Know Now,” 2007, Presenter

Executive Forums, “Employment Law 2006: CFO’s Top Ten,” 2006, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, “Finessing an Executive Termination,” 2006, Moderator and Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law 2005: What You Need to Know Now,” 2006, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, “Sexual Harassment and Investigations,” 2005, Moderator and Presenter

Sacramento Employer’s Advisory Council, “Wage and Hour Pitfalls,” 2005, Presenter

CEB Program, “Employment Law Issues for California Businesses,” 2005, Presenter

Yuba City Business Chapter, “Legislative Update and Wage/Hour Prevention,” 2005, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “2004 Legislative Update,” 2005, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, “EEO Rules and Compliance,” 2004, Presenter

Lorman Education Services, “Wage & Hour Update/New Legislation,” 2004, Presenter

Sacramento Veterinary Practice Managers, “Employment Law: What You Need to Know to Run a Successful Practice,” 2004, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “2003 Year in Review,” Woodland and Sacramento, 2004, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employers Can Require Arbitration Agreements,” 2003, Presenter

Continuing Education of the Bar, “Critical Issues in Employment Litigation,” 2003, Presenter

Council on Education in Management, “The Definitive Guide to Employment Law for HR Professionals in California,” 2003, Presenter

Council on Education in Management, “Best Practices in FMLA Administration,” 2003, Presenter

Downey Brand LLP, “Employment Law 2002: Year in Review,” 2003, Presenter

Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Program, “How to Write a Definitive Performance Appraisal,” 2002, Presenter

CHARITABLE

Fairytale Town, Board Member; Fundraising Committee, Member