Overview

JoAnna Brooks has extensive class action litigation experience and has been involved in more than 50 class action litigation cases in California over the last 10 years. She advises clients both proactively and reactively on employment best practices, and serves as defense counsel in cases involving:

  • Harassment
  • Discrimination
  • Breach of contract
  • Wage and hour
  • Unfair business practices

JoAnna's experience includes defending clients through trial, as well as, representing clients before the California Labor Commissioner, California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. 

While at Georgetown Law Center, JoAnna received moot court and Dean's List honors. 

Focus Areas

Class ActionsWage and HourDiscrimination and HarassmentTraining - Compliance, Ethics, LeadershipPolicies, Procedures and HandbooksHome Health and Home Care

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Bar Association of San Francisco

Member

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Board Member

Employment Law Section

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Member

San Ramon Chamber of Commerce

Member

Danville Area Chamber of Commerce

Recognition

Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award

Georgetown University Law Center

News, Analysis & Press

Dear Littler: Do We Need to Make Employee Restrooms Available to Customers?

Dear Littler

November 2, 2022

Holiday Season, Pandemic Add Stress For Retail Employers

Law360 Employment Authority

December 1, 2021

California HR Compliance Updates for 2021

SHRM Online

January 8, 2021

EEOC Pilot Programs to Resolve Bias Complaints Raise Questions

Bloomberg Law

August 3, 2020

Littler Mendelson Continues High-Profile Lateral Growth; JoAnna Brooks Joins in San Francisco

June 17, 2013

Speaking Engagements

Retail Industry Roundtable

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 4, 2022

Return to Work, Leaves of Absences and Vaccinations - The COVID-19 Impact on Working Women

April 15, 2021

2020 Virtual California Employer

November 19, 2020

Women’s Leadership Initiative Roundtable Discussion: Work-From-Home Status, Diversity Panacea or Diversity Quagmire?

November 12, 2020

Walnut Creek Breakfast Briefing

Walnut Creek, CA

February 5, 2020

California Pay Stub Requirements – The Basics and Beyond

November 7, 2019

Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series - Lafayette

January 24, 2019

Retail Industry Roundtable

The 2018 Executive Employer® Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 2, 2018

2018 Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series

San Francisco, CA

January 25, 2018

2018 Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series

San Francisco, CA

January 4, 2018

What to Do When the DOL Comes Knocking

California CEB, San Francisco, CA

May 4, 2017

Retail Industry Roundtable

The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

May 6, 2016

New Employment and Labor Laws for 2015

Walnut Creek, CA

January 9, 2015

The 2014 Employment Law Update: The Year in Review and What to Expect in 2015

Littler Mendelson, Walnut Creek, CA

December 2, 2014

New Employment and Labor Laws for 2014 and 2015

San Francisco, CA

February 11, 2014

Appearance Challenges Facing Retailers: Dress Codes, Piercings, Headscarves and Union Pins

San Francisco, CA

September 18, 2013

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1995
  • B.A., Purdue University, 1992

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California