Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP

Attorney

Elissa L. Gysi

Partner

Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP
One California Plaza
300 So. Grand Avenue, 37th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071-3147

  • (213) 621-0817 - Direct
  • (213) 620-0460 - General
  • (213) 624-4840 - Fax

ELISSA L. GYSI practices law in the areas of employment and general civil litigation in both state and federal court. Ms. Gysi specializes in litigation and arbitration of employment, labor, and contract disputes, including the defense of wage and hour, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and accommodation claims.  Additionally, Ms. Gysi possesses extensive experience in appellate matters, having prepared briefs for the California Supreme Court, as well as federal and state courts of appeal.  Ms. Gysi also represents employers in matters before the California Civil Rights Department, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, California Labor Commissioner, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and other federal and state administrative agencies.  In addition, Ms. Gysi counsels employers regarding handbooks and policies, discipline and separation procedures, workplace privacy issues, and compliance with state and federal leave laws.

Ms. Gysi received her J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2011.  Ms. Gysi also holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Claremont McKenna College in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and a M.A. from Columbia University in Political Science.  During law school, Ms. Gysi served as a Member Editor of the Stanford Law Review and completed a summer externship for the honorable Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Ms. Gysi was admitted to the California Bar in 2011 and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of California.

 

Defense of Disability Discrimination and Failure to Accommodate Claims

Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by terminated employee alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and wrongful termination; prevailed in arbitration.

Defense of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims

Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination; prevailed in arbitration.

Defense of Age Discrimination and Retaliation Claims

Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging age discrimination and retaliation; prevailed in arbitration.

Appeal to the California Supreme Court

Represent large employer in an appeal before the California Supreme Court to defend the enforceability of the company’s employment arbitration policy; case fully briefed, awaiting oral argument.

Motions to Compel Arbitration

Successfully brought over 50 motions to compel arbitration of pending class action and PAGA claims in state courts.

PAGA Litigation and Mediation

Assisted over 30 employers, including national retail companies, construction companies, and restaurants in litigating and resolving representative PAGA actions.

Workplace Sexual Harassment Investigation

Assisted a regional Southern California bank with management, investigation, and resulting employee termination relating to sexual harassment and other misconduct allegations.

Employee Handbook Review

Review and revise over 25 handbooks per year for clients ranging from 5 to 5,000 employees, to ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws.