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Photo of Jennifer  M. Protas

Contact

408.947.2435

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Practice Areas

Education

J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with distinction
Order of the Coif (top 10%)

B.A., Creative Writing, The University of Arizona, summa cum laude

Admissions

California

U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern & Northern Districts of California


Articles & Speaking Engagements

Constitutional Democracy and Same Sex Marriage

Spring Employment Law Seminar

2011 Employment Law "To Do" List
 

Jennifer M. Protas

Practice Overview

Jenn is an associate in the firm’s Employment practice area. She focuses on matters related to employment practices, including wage & hour advice and litigation, employee leave issues, defense of harassment and discrimination litigation and drafting employer policies, handbooks, and confidentiality and settlement agreements. Her practice also includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender litigation, housing discrimination matters, and general litigation, including contract disputes.

Jenn is a frequent public speaker and regularly presents seminars and trainings on such employment issues as: annual legal updates, complex leave issues, complying with California wage & hour laws, and legal and effective management of employees. She also performs legally mandated anti-harassment trainings and fair housing trainings at our clients’ sites.

Representative Matters

  • obtained judgment of dismissal in defense of $5 million indemnity action
  • negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of an apparel manufacturer of a multi-million dollar claim for breach of contract and wage/hour violations brought by four plaintiffs
  • obtained through mediation a favorable result for a Silicon Valley technology company in a claim involving racial discrimination and retaliation
  • defended businesses in court and before administrative agencies against wage and hour claims for unpaid overtime, meal and rest periods, and penalties
  • drafted and updated numerous employee handbooks to ensure compliance with new federal and California employment laws

Professional Activities

Jenn is an active member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, currently serving as a member of several committees including the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees and Judiciary Committee. She is chair of the Diversity Committee and was co-chair of the Rainbow Committee from 2009-2010. She has also been on the Finance Committee, Law Related Education Committee and the Employment Law Section. Jenn is the author of “Divesting from ‘The Apartheid of the Closet’: Toward an Enriched Legal Discourse of Sexual and Gender Identity” (2007) 38 McGeorge L.Rev. 571. Jenn also participated for four years in the Future Vision mentoring program at Lincoln High School in San Jose.

Awards

Jenn was selected as the Santa Clara County Bar Association’s 2011 Barrister of the Year.