Jeffery Owensby - Judicate West

Introduction

As a Sacramento based trial attorney specializing in employment law for 37 years, Jeff has earned a reputation among his peers for being a sharp, fair, and respectful adversary and colleague in the legal community. As a result, he has been retained by employment and labor lawyers to serve as mediator and arbitrator in their cases.

In private practice, Jeff litigated, tried or mediated hundreds of employment cases in the State and Federal courts as well as before administrative agencies in cases involving discrimination, harassment, privacy, wage and hour as well as management/union relations including grievance proceedings, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advising on rights and obligations under federal labor law. He has taught numerous classes to human resource professionals, employers and lawyers on various employment and workplace issues. He currently mediates for the Settlement department 59 in the Sacramento Superior Court and voluntary dispute resolution program in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

His passion for serving as a neutral is evident, as many describe him as having a communicative, evaluative, and caring approach that gets results.

Practice Areas

Hobbies & Interests

In his spare time, Jeff enjoys playing outdoor sports, hiking, cycling, and adventure travels.

Testimonials

"Mr. Owensby did an excellent job of listening to my client, evaluating the case and what the other side was willing and not willing to do, and earning mine and my client’s trust. I would highly recommend him to anyone."
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Dispute

"Mr. Owensby nailed it. He was fair, efficient, established strong rapport, and focused on the issues that really mattered in the short period of time we had together. Would use him again should the opportunity ever arise. Thanks again. "
- Attorney on an Employment Hostile Environment Dispute

Experience Summary

Legal Career

Neutral, Judicate West (Present)
Partner, Kennaday Leavitt Owensby, PC (2016 - 2019)
Neutral, Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program, U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California, (2014-Present)
MSC Judge Pro Tem, Department 59, Superior Court of Sacramento (2004 – Present)
Partner, Rediger McHugh & Owensby LLP (2007-2016)
Partner, Riegels Campos & Kenyon LLP (1999-2007)
Attorney and Partner, Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan (1982-1998)

Education & Professional Affiliations

J.D., University of California Davis (1982)
B.A., University of San Francisco (1979)
Mediation Program, Strauss Institute, Pepperdine (2018)
Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (1982-Present)
Sacramento County Bar Association, ADR Section (1982-Present)

Achievements & Awards

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Northern California Super Lawyers (2020)

Legal Experience

All types of Employment Disputes including PAGA, Class Action, Labor Law
Business/Contractual

Representative Case Information

Recent Representative Cases

Business/Commercial

A.D.A.

Mediated case of agricultural factory worker discharged for taking time off to seek treatment for and recuperate from cancer.
Mediated claim of auto dealership worker whose serious health conditions resulted in spontaneous departures from work and violation of employer’s attendance policies.

Employment

Discrimination

Mediated claim of tech industry leader who asserted that her inclusion in a group layoff was prompted by ageism and sexism.
Mediated claim by individual alleging harassment due to race and national origin including racial epithets and insults targeted at group of Latino workers whose immigration status was held over their heads to prevent whistleblowing about the racist conduct.
Mediated case by industrial worker who claimed that she got dirty, dangerous and isolated assignments due to her race while employees of other races got preferential treatment. Case involved complicated procedural issues due to claimant’s membership in a union.
Two plaintiff harassment and discrimination claim brought against public entity. Plaintiffs were members of a labor union and went through multiple levels of grievance processes. Extensive medical evidence of emotional distress evaluated. Both plaintiffs settled.
Two workers claim race harassment and discrimination while working for a high-end local employer. One left and claimed constructive discharge. Nemesis was investigated and fired for misconduct by employer.

PAGA

3 similar PAGA cases involving a common consultant and separate companies operating fast-food locations.

Pregnancy Discrimination

Mediated pregnancy discrimination claims against defunct/bankrupt company. EPLI carrier only active real party in interest opposing claim or with assets available for any satisfaction of judgment/settlement.
Single plaintiff pregnancy discrimination claim. Intervening bankruptcy and interlocutory appeal with an imminent trial date. Coverage dispute in the background of the primary suit. Settled in two sessions.

Prevailing Wage

Complex employment case involving plaintiffs in a wage-hour and wrongful discharge case. Sub-sets of claims and defenses differentiating the plaintiffs. Multiple defendants with different firms representing them.

Sexual Harassment

Mediated claim of hospital employee who asserted that her male supervisor sexually assaulted her on company property.
Mediated case in which female workers alleged that their lead worker kissed, groped and made sexual gestures targeted at women over whom he had scheduling and task assignment authority.
Mediated claim by woman who after consensual sexual and romantic relationship with her boss ended was forced out of executive position in retaliation for not resuming sexual aspects of relationship.

Wage and Hour

Mediated action by hotel housekeepers seeking payment for unpaid work time, overtime pay, and variety of penalties associated with improper payment practices of hotel owner.
Mediated case alleging missed break/missed meals and related penalties by long-term care workers.
Class action wage and hour dispute involving union workers.

Wage and Hour Class Action

Wage and hour class action with PAGA. Very complex compensation structures created numerous pay and L.C. violation issues.

Wrongful Termination

Disability discrimination, wrongful discharge, and whistleblower retaliation case. Parties reached accord with very significant movement by both sides, despite initial reluctance to engage.

Neutral Profile

JEFFERY OWENSBY, ESQ.

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JEFFERY OWENSBY, ESQ.

JEFFERY OWENSBY, ESQ.

Introduction

Practice Areas

Hobbies & Interests

Testimonials

Experience Summary

Legal Career

Education & Professional Affiliations

Achievements & Awards

Legal Experience

Representative Case Information

Recent Representative Cases

Business/Commercial

A.D.A.

Employment

Discrimination

PAGA

Pregnancy Discrimination

Prevailing Wage

Sexual Harassment

Wage and Hour

Wage and Hour Class Action

Wrongful Termination

Downtown Los Angeles

Sacramento

San Diego

San Francisco

Santa Ana

West Los Angeles