Employment Law Experts are available to answer members' questions most business days, Monday through Thursday — 8am - 5pm and Friday 8am - 4pm.
Bianca N. Saad – Vice President, Labor and Employment – Content, Training and Advice, a member of the CalChamber legal affairs team since April 2018, was named vice president in mid-November 2021, assigned to develop and lead the content and training strategy for existing and emerging products and training, as well as overseeing CalChamber subject matter experts. She serves as a co-presenter for CalChamber compliance seminars and webinars.
Matthew J. Roberts, Employment Law Counsel/Subject Matter Expert/Labor Law Helpline Manager - Joined CalChamber in July 2019 as employment law counsel/subject matter expert. He explains California and federal labor and employment laws to CalChamber members and customers, including serving as an Employment Law Expert on the Labor Law Helpline. Prior to joining CalChamber, Matthew served as a senior attorney at the Shaw Law Group, P.C., of Sacramento; he brings to CalChamber a decade of experience advising and counseling clients on California wage and hour and anti-discrimination employment laws. J.D. McGeorge School of Law.
Sarah Woolston, Employment Law Subject Matter Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2022. Sarah oversees local ordinances content, serves as a co-presenter for compliance seminars and webinars, and is an Employment Law Expert on the Labor Law Helpline. Sarah is a practical problem solver who has defended employers in trial and at administrative proceedings. She has provided day-to-day guidance to clients on a wide range of topics, including COVID-19 compliance, terminations, wage and hour, harassment investigations and much more. Prior to joining CalChamber, Sarah worked as a litigation associate at Best, Best, Krieger LLP and Matheny, Sears, Linkert & Jaime, LLP. In law school, she externed at the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District for the Honorable Louis Mauro. J.D. UC Davis School of Law.
Mel Davis, Workplace Safety Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2000 as a Workplace Safety Expert specializing in Cal/OSHA and safety-related matters. Mel worked for Cal/OSHA for more than 23 years as a Principal Safety Engineer and Construction Safety Engineer. His responsibilities included managing the technical staff responsible for the development and revisions of California's Safety and Health regulations, evaluating requests for variances from regulations and conducting complaint and accident investigations at all types of construction sites.
Michelle Galbraith, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2007 as an Employment Law Expert. Prior to joining CalChamber, Michelle defended employers on discrimination and sexual harassment issues, as well as advised employers on wage and hour laws, ERISA and workers' compensation benefits. She is the author of articles on various topics for current CalChamber publications. J.D. University of California, Berkeley.
Lisa Guzman, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2022 as an Employment Law Expert. Lisa has advised employers on matters such as discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour issues, and leave laws. She has led numerous training programs and conducted investigations into discrimination and wrongful termination claims. J.D. University of California, Berkeley.
Dana Leisinger, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2000 and currently serves as an Employment Law Expert. Dana has advised employers on matters such as employment law, wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and wage and hour issues. She has conducted seminars and training and guided employers through various levels of governmental investigations. J.D. McGeorge School of Law.
David Leporiere, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2014 and currently serves as an Employment Law Expert. Specializing in employment and labor law on behalf of businesses and business owners, David has also provided training for employers on a wide variety of employment related topics, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and leave laws and regulations. J.D. University of California, Davis.
Sharon Novak, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2021 as an Employment Law Expert. Before working with CalChamber, Sharon practiced employment law in firms in Montana and Chicago, served as Employment Counsel for a national company based in California, and assisted employers as a Director of Workplace Solutions. Sharon’s employment law practice included trial work, professional support to human resources departments, and workplace investigations. She has also developed and conducted seminars on critical employment law issues, including sex and age discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour practices, and wrongful terminations. J.D. Gonzaga University Law School.
Ellen Savage, Employment Law Expert - Joined CalChamber in 1990 and currently serves as an Employment Law Expert. She has been assisting employers on the Helpline since 1993. She was the editor of eight editions of the California Labor Law Digest and author of the CalChamber's California Hiring to Termination Guide. Her experience also includes practicing at a large Sacramento law firm and presenting at dozens of employment law seminars statewide. J.D. from Lincoln Law School.
Barbara Wilber, Wage and Hour Expert - Joined CalChamber in 2005 and currently serves as a Wage and Hour Expert. Prior to joining CalChamber, Barbara served as a Deputy Labor Commissioner and Hearing Officer with the Labor Commissioner in the California Department of Industrial Relations. Her 24 years of experience includes settlement conferences, wage claim determinations and resolving employee disputes brought to the office of the Labor Commissioner.
