T: 415.954.4476
F: 415.954.4480
hsutton@fbm.com
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Holly L. Sutton, Partner
Holly L. Sutton is a partner in Farella Braun + Martel's Employment practice.
Ms. Sutton represents clients throughout the Bay Area and nationally in the media, wine, agriculture, technology, retail, banking, construction, and professional services industries. She has successfully represented clients in wrongful termination and employment discrimination actions, including claims for race, age, sex, disability and pregnancy discrimination, and sexual harassment in state and federal courts, as well as administrative forums. She has defended government investigations, resulting in dismissal of claims, and has successfully litigated cases involving trade secrets and employee solicitation issues. Ms. Sutton also has extensive experience negotiating employment and severance agreements for executives, equity holders and founders.
Ms. Sutton counsels her clients on the importance of implementing sound business policies and reducing the threat of employment litigation. She advises clients concerning personnel policies, wage and hour laws, EEO compliance, hiring and firing issues, harassment investigations, non-competition clauses, conflict of interest, trade secrets and reductions in force. She regularly authors e-mail client alerts to keep her clients apprised of legal developments in California and on the national level.
Ms. Sutton recently successfully defended a publicly owned energy management company in a sexual harassment claim, in which the plaintiff alleged that she was sexually solicited at her job interview, and thereafter was forced to have sex with her married supervisor on a regular basis, prior to being constructively terminated. Ms. Sutton also successfully obtained dismissal of a complaint alleging sexual harassment on behalf of a national equipment leasing firm, and successfully defended a construction client from claims of discrimination and sexual harassment, in a case in which the co-worker was criminally prosecuted for the crime. Ms. Sutton has also obtained permanent injunctive relief to protect against workplace violence.
Ms. Sutton regularly presents seminars to employers and professional organizations on various employment topics with a special emphasis on preventing and investigating claims of sexual and other harassment in the workplace, and effective management skills. Ms. Sutton has been quoted in numerous media outlets, including most recently KTVU Channel 2, KNBR, and The Recorder, and has published articles on numerous topics, including arbitration and family and pregnancy leave laws.