Awards
Tess Elconin was named 2006 Mediator of the Year by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Los Angeles District Office.
Work History
Ms. Elconin has over 14 years of employment litigation and advice experience for both the plaintiff and defense bars. Prior to beginning her mediation and investigation practice, Ms. Elconin worked as both in-house counsel and as a member of the Labor and Employment Groups at major law firms.
In-House
Most recently, Ms. Elconin served as in-house labor and employment counsel for Paramount Pictures where she was responsible for all of the following:Providing advice and counsel regarding compliance with state and federal laws concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, reductions-in-force, mergers, trade secrets/competition, disabilities, substance abuse, immigration, corporate compliance, conflicts of interest, privacy and leaves of absence.
Supervising litigation of employment-related claims including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, trade secrets and wrongful termination issues.
Representing Paramount Pictures before, and responding to claims filed with, governmental regulatory agencies such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Department of Justice.
Conducting workplace investigations and audits into discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower and workplace misconduct issues.
Creating and providing workplace training regarding wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, compliance and whistleblower issues.
Negotiating employment contracts, options, separation agreements and settlement agreements.
Drafting employment-related handbooks, policies and training materials and conducting related training sessions.
Law Firm
Prior to her work at Paramount Pictures, Ms. Elconin was part of the Labor and Employment Groups at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, Machtinger & Kinsella. Ms. Elconin was responsible for all of the following:Conducting all elements of state and federal labor and employment litigation at the trial and appellate levels, including, class actions, law and motion, discovery, trial, mediation, arbitration and appellate practices.
Providing advice and counsel regarding compliance with state and federal laws concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, reductions-in-force, mergers, trade secrets/competition, disabilities, substance abuse, immigration, corporate compliance, conflicts of interest, privacy and leaves of absence.
Conducting workplace investigations into such issues as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower and workplace misconduct.
Creating and providing workplace training regarding wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, compliance and whistleblower issues.
Providing counsel and representation in all elements of the traditional labor law practice, including, representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board and the federal trial and appellate courts, handling organizing campaigns, certification elections, collective bargaining, lockout and strike issues, and investigating and litigating unfair labor practice charges.
Drafting employment-related handbooks, policies and training materials and conducting related training sessions.
Teaching
In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Elconin also taught Human Resources Management as an Assistant Faculty member of the School of Business and Economics, Management Department, at California State University, Northridge.Given her experience as both a firm attorney (plaintiff and defense) and an in-house counsel, Ms. Elconin is uniquely qualified to provide mediation and investigation services because she has an unbiased and practical understanding of the litigation process and the competing needs of each party.
Education
Loyola Law School of Los Angeles
J.D., 1992
California State University, Northridge
B.S., Business Administration - Human Resource Management, 1989