Shannon R. Finley

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Shannon R. Finley focuses her practice on employment law, representing California employers in disputes ranging from single plaintiff wrongful termination cases to complex class actions, and everything in between. In addition to defending employers in litigation, she provides guidance to employers, advising on best practices to avoid lawsuits before they arise. Ms. Finley is also a speaker and author on issues including best hiring practices, wage and hour law, discrimination, leaves of absence, and social media.

Shannon obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. While attending law school, Shannon served as an extern for the Honorable Peter C. Lewis, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, and also for the California Attorney General’s Office in the Employment and Administrative Mandate Section. Upon graduation, Shannon worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Dee D. Drell, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (2013-2014). Before law school, Shannon attended the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating cum laude, where she earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in History and in Classical Civilizations.

Awards +-

  • Best Lawyers:  Ones to Watch 2021-2024
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award 2019
  • San Diego Business Journal’s “Women of Influence in Law” 2021-2023
  • San Diego Business Journal‘s “Leaders in Law” 2020, 2022
  • San Diego Metro Magazine “Top Attorneys” 2022
  • San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2019-2023
  • University of San Diego School of Law Rising Star Recent Alumni Award 2022

Affiliations +-

  • American Inns of Court, J. Clifford Wallace Chapter: Associate (2015-present), Team Leader (2019-2021)
  • California Women Lawyers:  Affiliate Governor (2019-2021), Programming Chair (Sep 2020-Sep 2021), CWL at Home Webinar Series Co-chair (Mar 2020-Sep 2020)
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • The Crossroads American Inn of Court of Alexandria-Pineville, Associate (2013-2014)
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego: President (present), Board of Directors (2019-present), Vice President of Policy & Membership (2021-2022), Annual Dinner Co-chair (2020-2021), Membership Development Co-chair (2019-2020), Women’s Advocacy Committee Co-chair (2018-2019), Law School Outreach Committee Co-chair (2016-2018)
  • San Diego County Bar Association: Leadership Academy (2022); Executive Committee – Labor & Employment Law Section Chair (2022), Vice Chair (Jan 2020-Dec 2021); Member at Large (Jan 2018-Dec 2019)
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
  • San Diego Defense Lawyers
  • San Diego Society for Human Resource Management
  • State Bar of California

Education +-

  • University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 2013)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., cum laude, 2009)

Publications +-

  • Shannon Finley, “Top 5 Litigation Trends Relating to Remote Workers,” California Employers Association Newsletter (June, 2021)
  • Shannon Finley, “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination:  A Landmark
    Case Explanation and Best Practices for Compliance,” Employment Practices Liability Consultant (EPLiC) (Summer, 2020)
  • Shannon Finley, “Let’s Talk About Sex[ual Orientation Discrimination]:  A Discussion of Recent Developments and Their Nationwide Implications,” Employment Practices Liability Consultant (EPLiC) (Fall, 2018)
  • Shannon Finley & Ryan Nell, “The Changing Landscape of California Employment Law:  Adapting to the 21st Century Workforce,” 2016 Bender’s Calif. Lab. & Empl. Bull. 207 (June, 2016)
  • Shannon Finley, “Whistle (and Tweet) While You Work:  Social Media, Networking, and What’s Not Working in the Workplace,” Employment Practices Liability Consultant (EPLiC) (Summer, 2017)

Speaking Engagements +-

  • Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, Civil Rights Forum Panelist, “Synergy in Action: A Modern Approach to Civil Rights” (2023)
  • San Diego County Bar Association, 2022 Labor & Employment Conference, “PAGA, Class Action and Arbitration Update” (2022)
  • California Employers Association Webinar, “Top 10 Tips to Prevent Employment Litigation: What You Need to Know” (2022)
  • LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce Webinar, “The New Normal is Now Normal: Managing a Remote & Hybrid Workforce in a Post-COVID World” (2022)
  • San Diego Society for Human Resource Management Legal + Strategic Insights Conference, “Let’s Talk PAGA: Understanding and Defending Class Action & PAGA Cases” (2022)
  • San Diego County Bar Association – Law & Medicine Section Guest Speaker (2022)
  • National Business Institute, “California Labor & Employment Law 2021 Miniseries: Part II” (2021)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel MCLE Program, “Litigation Trends:  Navigating Wage & Hour Issues” (2021)
  • California Employers Association, “Litigation Trends:  Navigating Wage & Hour Issues in 2021” (2021)
  • National Business Institute, “Human Resource Law Boot Camp:  Balancing Employer Needs and Employee Rights” (2021)
  • San Diego Business Summit Panelist, “Top New Employment Laws in 2021” (2021)
  • 6 Degrees Networking Webinar, “The Pandemic Litigation Fallout:  Critical Takeaways Every Business Professional Should Know” (2021)
  • National Business Institute, “Mini Law School for HR Professionals” (2020)
  • Continuing Education of the Bar, “Social Media, Politics, Free Speech, and the New (Remote) Work Place” (2020)
  • California Employers Association, “2020 Wage and Hour Update” (2020)
  • San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Webinar, “COVID-19 Business Series:  Is Your Workplace Ready for the Next Normal?” (2020)
  • 6 Degrees Networking Webinar, “Your Business in the Next Economy:  Employment, Benefits, and Insurance” (2020)
  • California Women Lawyers at Home Webinar, “Litigation Tips During a Pandemic” (2020)
  • Business & Legal Resources, Inc., “Travel Time, On-call, and Training Pay:  How to Comply with FLSA Rule for Overtime-eligible Employees” (2020)
  • San Diego Society for Human Resource Management Legal + Strategic Insights Conference, “Social Media in the Workplace” (2019)
  • Business & Legal Resources, Inc., “FMLA/CFRA Leave is Exhausted, Now What? How to Avoid Legal Landmines Regarding Temporary Transfers, Fitness-for-Duty Exams, Accommodation Requests, and More” (2019)
  • San Diego County Bar Association Labor & Employment Conference:  Updates & Hot Topics, “View from the Bench:  Issues Arising in Employment Cases” (2019)
  • Women’s Law Caucus, California Western School of Law, panelist for “Professional Etiquette: Dress for Success” (2018 & 2019)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel Paralegal Program, “Best Hiring Practices” (2018)
  • Women’s Law Caucus, University of San Diego, panelist for “Networking Works: An Introduction to Lawyers Club and Getting Your Dream Job” (2018)

11622 El Camino Real, #300
San Diego, CA 92130
Tel: (858) 755-8500
Fax: (858) 755-8504

5901 W. Century Blvd, #1100
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Tel: (310) 649-5772
Fax: (310) 649-5777

Tel: (858) 509-5676
Fax: (858) 755-8504
sfinley@pettitkohn.com

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