Overview
Dorothy represents employers and individual defendants in a wide range of employment litigation matters, from harassment and wrongful termination to wage and hour disputes.
She has extensive experience defending clients in cases involving discrimination based on age, disability, gender, and other protected categories, as well as complex issues like retaliation, breach of employment contracts, and unfair business practices. Dorothy is known for her strategic approach to litigation, which has proven effective in both individual and class action wage and hour lawsuits.
Dorothy has successfully enforced arbitration agreements to address individual claims while pausing broader class action lawsuits, and she has effectively prevented the certification of class actions. She is also skilled in managing disputes over unpaid wages, compliance with wage payment laws, errors in wage statements, breaks, and employee misclassification related to overtime exemption.
In addition to her litigation expertise, Dorothy is a strong negotiator and has secured favorable settlements in mediations and arbitrations. She provides comprehensive guidance on workplace issues including employee misconduct, leaves of absence, layoffs, and regulatory compliance. Dorothy also plays a key role in developing employee handbooks and policies that align with current legal standards.
Committed to promoting harassment-free workplaces, Dorothy conducts anti-sexual harassment and HR training sessions in both English and Spanish, ensuring her clients meet compliance standards while fostering positive work environments.
Before joining Constangy, Dorothy honed her labor and employment law skills as a partner at an Am Law 100 firm and a California-based firm. Earlier in her career, she gained valuable experience in both employment law and general commercial litigation at a national general practice firm.
Honors & Recognition
- LeBoeuf Lamb’s Pro Bono Award (2005)
- Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, “Advocate of the Year” (2004)
- Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars (2009-2011)
Credentials
Education
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- J.D., 2000
University of California, Los Angeles
- B.A., 1996
- Dean's Honors List
Languages
- Spanish
Media
News
Professional & Civic Associations
Professional
- Public Counsel, Volunteer Attorney
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Building Trial Skills Program, Participant (2006)
Services
Admissions
- California, 2000
- U.S. District Court - CA - C.D., S.D.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you will be criticized anyway."
Eleanor Roosevelt
