After decades as a business and employment law counselor and successful trial attorney, Linda McPharlin has learned that the most satisfied clients are not those who win in court after bruising if not brutal years in litigation, but those who resolve disputes before litigation takes over their lives, and their finances.  She now focuses her trial acumen and considerable negotiating skills on conflict resolution at the earliest possible stage, ideally before a lawsuit is even filed.*

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Linda McPharlin has counseled hundreds of Silicon Valley executives and employers in termination situations: reviewing their statutory and contractual rights and obligations, evaluating litigation risks, and negotiating severance.  

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As a mediator, with her long-term, specialized experience in employment law and alternative dispute resolution, she can facilitate negotiations between disputants and assist in case evaluation and risk assessment. 

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When she serves as an arbitrator, her experience representing both employers and employees and her overriding sense of fairness bode well for sound decisions.  She has been an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association for over 20 years and is currently on the AAA employment law and consumer panels.  Matters she has arbitrated include:

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• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation

• Wrongful termination

• Employment, commission, bonus and severance contracts

• Disability, pregnancy, and family leave

• Migrating employees, customer lists, and trade secrets

• Wage and hour issues

• Business and consumer contracts, including “terms and conditions”

 

Background

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Linda McPharlin obtained her J.D. from Santa Clara University, magna cum laude, and her B.A. from UCLA, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She has served on the executive board of the California State Bar’s 5000-member Labor & Employment Law Section and is a member of the American Inns of Court XII for which she has served as president.