Karin Backstrom began representing employers at the national employment law firms of Littler Mendelson and Sheppard Mullin. While working for the large firms, she represented employers before the California Labor Commissioner (DLSE), Employment Development Department (EDD), Equal Employment Opportunity Counsel (EEOC), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) as well as before state and federal courts.
Karin’s 26 years of experience and unique perspective on employment law help her to effectively solve the problems of businesses of any size. She provides proactive advice in the areas of wage and hour law, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, leaves of absence, discipline and discharges, layoffs, conducting internal investigations, dealing with union activity, workplace safety issues, drug and alcohol testing, disability accommodation, and regulatory compliance. When necessary, she successfully defends litigated matters in state and federal court. She has litigated well over 300 cases to successful completion for employers.
Karin provides daily advice on collective bargaining, contract negotiation, employee discipline, employee leaves (including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, Worker’s Comp, etc.), protecting trade secrets/proprietary information, business restructuring, downsizing or rightsizing, managing employee and executive performance, and a host of related issues. Draft employee handbooks, employment contracts, severance agreements, trade secret/proprietary information agreements, buy-sell agreements, stock option agreements, REBA agreements, love contracts and other employment documents. She conducts sexual harassment and anti-bullying training. She also develops and implements policies and provides training about state and federal anti-discrimination laws, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, record keeping requirements, worker safety requirements, reasonable accommodation requirements, family and medical leaves, pregnancy disability, employee privacy, hiring and termination practices, personnel policies, collective bargaining obligations, workplace violence and wage and hour law, including complex classification, overtime, commissions, deductions, vacation pay and related issues.
Karin also has twenty-six years of experience conducting training in managing employees, sexual harassment prevention, workplace communication, diversity, social media, conducting internal investigations, managing employee leaves and disability issues, avoiding wage and hour claims, and proper classification of employees. Ms. Backstrom teaches two courses for the Human Resources Certification Institute and is a frequent speaker at Risk Management and Human Resources conferences.
Karin is an avid UCLA Bruins fan having graduated with honors in 1987. She graduated cum laude from University of San Diego School of Law in 1992. She currently serves on the Diversity Committee for the Law School’s Alumni Board of Directors. She is also involved with several community organizations facilitating increased diversity in education and employment. She also volunteers with housing and food challenged youth.