Lisa Klerman specializes in the resolution of employment law disputes. A sizeable portion of Ms. Klerman’s practice involves the mediation of employment law wage and hour class actions and PAGA cases.
In addition to her work as a neutral, Ms. Klerman is a Clinical Professor of Law at USC Law School, and was the Founding Director of the USC Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution as well as its ADR Certificate Program. Professor Klerman also established the USC Law School Mediation Clinic, which she has directed since launching it in 2007. The Mediation Clinic courses that she designed and developed received national recognition in 2011 when the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council honored USC Law School with its prestigious ADR Education Award.
Previously a partner in the employment law department at Morrison & Foerster, Ms. Klerman represented plaintiffs as well as defendants while she was a practicing attorney. Her achievements include several notable jury trials, as well as some high profile appellate cases, including Hawaiian Airlines v. Norris, 512 U.S. 246 (1994), and Hanson v. District Lodge 725 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 90 Cal. App. 4th 977 (2001).
In 2004, Ms. Klerman left the partnership at Morrison & Foerster to become a full-time mediator. Ms. Klerman is a frequent speaker on alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, mediation, employment law, and class actions. She has been interviewed by major publications including Forbes, California Lawyer, Editor and Publisher Magazine, and Oprah Magazine. She has appeared as a commentator on National Public Radio, on a nationally broadcast series for NPR’s “Morning Edition” program, speaking on the legal issues surrounding religion in the workplace. In addition, she has appeared as a legal commentator on NBC Nightly News, KPCC’s Air Talk program, and other radio programs. In June 2011, Ms. Klerman’s interview by the BBC on the landmark Dukes v. Wal-Mart Supreme Court decision was broadcast internationally.
Ms. Klerman is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, where she received her B.A. degree with honors in 1988. She received her J.D. degree from the University of Chicago in 1992, where she was a member of the University of Chicago Law Review. At the University of Chicago, she authored and published an article entitled, "The Role of the Jury and the Court in Assessing Front Pay Awards Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act," 58 U. Chi. Law Review 1475 (1991). After graduating from law school, Ms. Klerman served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Alan C. Kay, Chief Judge of the United States District Court, District of Hawaii. Ms. Klerman has been given Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating ("AV Preeminent -- Judicial Division") for her professional excellence and ethical standards.
Professional Associations and Memberships
|
■
|
Chair, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, 2011-2012. |
| ■ |
Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, 2001-2012 |
| ■ |
Chair, Labor & Employment Symposium Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2007-2008 |
| ■ |
Board of Directors, Southern California Mediation Association, 2007-2008 |
| ■ |
Member, Public Policy Committee, California Dispute Resolution Council, 2005-2008 |
