PAMELA ELAINE WOODSIDE
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Senior Counsel with expertise in employment law and complex litigation, adept at managing high-stakes disputes and developing compliance strategies. Notable achievements include resolving multi-million dollar claims and implementing effective risk management processes that significantly reduce legal exposure.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR COUNSEL
CDF Labor Law, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
03.2025 - Current
- Managed all phases of litigation, including evaluation, investigation, and analysis of potential claims; drafted responsive pleadings and motions; drafted and responded to discovery; drafted settlement agreements; defended and took depositions; drafted and presented oral arguments for dispositive motions, position statements, and mediation briefs; resolved claims using alternative dispute resolution.
- Resolved disability discrimination and wrongful termination claims for large academic medical center resulting in $500,000 savings
- Represented leading specialized distributor of food service and industrial packaging products in prosecuting trade secret theft against former employee, protecting proprietary information and business interests
- Drafted successful motion to dismiss petition to vacate arbitration award
- Successfully resolved multiple wage and hour lawsuits against nationwide retailer, mitigating potential liabilities and preserving company reputation
- Negotiated and settled race and disability discrimination claims for largest manufacturer of refrigerated truck and van bodies.
- Resolved discrimination, defamation and wrongful termination claims against media company
- Drafted successful motion to compel arbitration defeating transportation worker exemption
SENIOR COUNSEL
Littler Mendelson P.C.
Walnut Creek, CA
09.2023 - 12.2024
- Handled all phases of litigation, including evaluation, investigation, and analysis of potential claims; drafted responsive pleadings and motions; responded to discovery; created settlement agreements; defended and took depositions; drafted and presented oral arguments for dispositive motions, position statements, and mediation briefs; resolved claims through alternative dispute resolution.
- Drafted and argued successful motion for summary adjudication following denial of motion for summary judgment
- Defended leading bank against discrimination claims of pro se plaintiff, achieving dismissal of claims
- Represented global technology company in defense of discrimination and harassment claims, resulting in favorable resolution
- Defended U.S. supermarket and grocery store chain against discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims, securing dismissal of allegations
- Drafted successful motion to compel arbitration
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL - EMPLOYMENT
Dollar Tree, Inc.
Chesapeake, CA
08.2018 - 09.2023
- Assisted with Company's racial equity audit of external stakeholders
- Oversaw outside employment litigation counsel, including management of case budgets, directing litigation strategy and reviewing all pleadings and settlement documents
- Provided employment advice and support to business partners in Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Operations, Associate Learning & Development, Compliance, Environmental Health & Safety, and Internal Audit across Family Dollar and Dollar Tree on hiring, termination, discrimination, retaliation, workplace accommodations, leave of absence, wage and hour, workplace investigations, safety compliance, PAGA, and code of conduct violations
- Monitored employment legislation, regulations, case law, and government enforcement to offer proactive, strategic advice to Human Resources and Operations stakeholders
- Drafted employment policies and procedures
- Provided employment training to business partners in Human Resources, Associate Relations and Field Operations
- Functioned as integral team member of COVID task force to address employee workplace accommodation requests and develop state specific COVID protocols and guidelines
- Interfaced with governmental agencies, including EEOC, DFEH, and state and federal Labor commissions, on administrative investigations related to discrimination, retaliation, and wage & hour compliance
PARTNER
Thompson Coe & O'Meara, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
08.2015 - 08.2018
- Defended clients in sexual harassment, gender discrimination, retaliation, disability, wage and hour lawsuits, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, Warn Act, wrongful termination, breach of contract, non-solicitation, and misrepresentation claims, ensuring robust legal representation and client protection.
- Defended directors & officers, real estate agents, appraisers, and attorneys in malpractice matters and errors & omissions claims, safeguarding professional reputations and mitigating legal risks.
- Settled complex harassment, discrimination and assault/battery claim against small manufacturing company resulting in $800,000 reduction in initial settlement demand
- Successfully resolved $30 million defamation claim for $500,000
- Successfully resolved legal malpractice claim seeking in excess of $700,000 through motion for summary judgment
- Provided employment and human resources advice to large and mid-sized corporations, enhancing workplace compliance and supporting effective HR strategies.
- Provided discrimination and harassment training to corporate employees and senior management
OF COUNSEL
Kauffman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP
San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA
04.2010 - 08.2015
- Led all phases of litigation, evaluating potential claims, drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, preparing settlement agreements, defending and taking depositions, and arguing dispositive motions and mediation briefs, resolving claims through alternative dispute resolution.
- Defended clients against claims of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, retaliation, disability, wage and hour violations, and wrongful termination across various statutes, ensuring comprehensive legal protection.
- Resolved multi-million dollar sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit resulting in $800,000 savings for client
- Prosecuted sexual harassment and wrongful termination claim resulting in mediation award of $500,000 for client
- Successfully mediated sexual harassment lawsuit resulting in $400,000 savings for client
- Conducted sexual harassment and discrimination training for clients.
- Partnered with clients to develop human resources policies and procedures tailored to the organization
PARTNER
Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason, LLP
San Francisco, CA
08.2005 - 12.2009
- Collaborated with partners to enhance diversity initiatives within the firm.
- Specialized in complex commercial litigation, addressing antitrust, trade regulation, unfair competition, intellectual property, business litigation, and class actions for plaintiffs and defendants at trial and appellate levels.
- Led prosecution of price-fixing claims against largest worldwide technology manufacturers of SRAM; supervised and coordinated internal and external counsel while drafting pleadings, including oppositions to motions to dismiss, motion for class certification, and written discovery.
- Defended major gasoline manufacturer in multi-million dollar class action litigation; drafted successful motions to dismiss complaints filed in California and Florida.
ASSOCIATE
Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner, LLP
New York and Los Angeles, NY and CA
08.2001 - 08.2005
- Represented high net worth individuals and mid-sized to large corporations in all phases of complex litigation
- Defended national media company and its senior officers in $10 million breach of contract and misrepresentation litigation related to Internet-based advertising contract
- Assisted in defense of worldwide gaming corporation in patent infringement lawsuit; successfully Successfully opposed motion for costs following adverse jury verdict
- Successfully defended global fashion designer in Federal Trademark Act litigation
- Challenged dismissal of shareholder derivative complaint in court
Education
Certificate - Labor Relations
Cornell University
Ithaca, NYLL.M. - Intellectual Property
University of San Francisco School of Law
San Francisco, CAJ.D. - concentration in litigation and dispute resolution
Boston University School of Law
Boston, MAM.Ph. - Health Promotion-Disease Prevention
The George Washington University
Washington, DCB.S. - Psychology, concentration in Neuroscience
Duke University
Durham, NCSkills
- Employment Litigation
- Litigation management
- Litigation strategy
- Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
- Employment law
- Wage and Hour Compliance
- Workplace Compliance
- Insurance Defense
- Legal Research
- Trade secret
- Case management
- Risk assessment
REPRESENTATIVE INDUSTRIES
- Retail
- Hospitals, medical groups, physicians
- Large and medium-sized national corporations
- Distribution centers
- Automotive
- AI and Technology
- Cloud-based financial and human capital management
- Software and entertainment
- High net-worth individuals
BAR ADMISSIONS
Admitted to the California, New York, Massachusetts (not active) and Connecticut (not active) State Bars
Timeline
SENIOR COUNSEL
CDF Labor Law, LLP
03.2025 - Current
SENIOR COUNSEL
Littler Mendelson P.C.
09.2023 - 12.2024
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL - EMPLOYMENT
Dollar Tree, Inc.
08.2018 - 09.2023
PARTNER
Thompson Coe & O'Meara, LLP
08.2015 - 08.2018
OF COUNSEL
Kauffman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP
04.2010 - 08.2015
PARTNER
Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason, LLP
08.2005 - 12.2009
ASSOCIATE
Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner, LLP
08.2001 - 08.2005
Certificate - Labor Relations
Cornell University
LL.M. - Intellectual Property
University of San Francisco School of Law
J.D. - concentration in litigation and dispute resolution
Boston University School of Law
M.Ph. - Health Promotion-Disease Prevention
The George Washington University
B.S. - Psychology, concentration in Neuroscience
Duke University