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Brown Law Group: San Diego, CA

Senior Associate, September 2009 to Present

Ms. Cara’s practice focuses on labor and employment law. She both advises management on federal and state employment law compliance and defends employers against claims brought against them for wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour disputes. In addition, Ms. Cara assists employers with the preparation and implementation of employment policies and contracts, such as employee handbooks, arbitration agreements and severance and compensation agreements. Ms. Cara also defends financial institutions against lawsuits alleging violations of the federal Truth-In-Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedure Act and related state law claims.

Ms. Cara’s clients include public employers, non-profit corporations, and those in private sector industries.

Fine, Boggs & Perkins: San Marcos, CA

Senior Associate, July 2007 to September 2009

Ms. Cara’s practice at Fine, Boggs & Perkins included counseling clients on employment-related issues relating to hiring, discipline, termination, sexual harassment and discrimination. To ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws, Ms. Cara assisted employers with developing effective employment policies, including employee handbooks. Ms. Cara also successfully defended companies against both administrative and civil actions brought by former employees, including discrimination, harassment and class action wage and hour claims.

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch: San Diego, CA

Associate, April 2006 to July 2007

Ms. Cara practiced at one of San Diego’s oldest and most respected firms, where she advised clients in connection with employee terminations and discipline, sexual harassment, retaliation, and Labor Code 132a claims. While at Procopio, Ms. Cara also assisted employers with sexual harassment investigations, as well as defended employers in wage and hour class action litigation.

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo: Cerritos, CA

Summer Associate/Associate, May 2001 to April 2006

Ms. Cara began her legal career at one of Los Angeles County’s largest and most respected employment law firms. Ms. Cara initially worked for Atkinson as a Summer Associate and was subsequently offered a position as a labor and employment law attorney shortly before graduating from law school. While an associate of Atkinson, Ms. Cara litigated labor and employment law matters on behalf of clients, and defended employers in the construction industry in prevailing wage litigation. Ms. Cara also served as the firm’s point person on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), with an emphasis on HIPAA’s impact on employers.

Press & Media:

Ms. Cara has been a speaker in employment-related topics and is regularly consulted by members of the media on legal issues affecting labor and employment law development. Her opinions on these issues have appeared in the following publications: San Diego Daily Transcript, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and the San Diego News Network.

Publications:

Ms. Cara has written several “client alerts” and articles at the various firms in which she has practiced regarding recent developments in labor and employment law. Her publications include “The Fate of the ‘Stray Remarks’ Doctrine” published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal in June, 2010 and an article she coauthored entitled “Entering the Labyrinth of Pregnancy Leave Laws” appearing in the December 2004 issue of the California Labor & Employment Law Review, the official publication of the State Bar of California Labor and Employment Law Section.

Community Involvement:

Ms. Cara is a Barrister of The Honorable Fiorenzo V. Lopardo American Inns of Court, the San Diego County Bar Association, Lawyers Club of San Diego, the California State Bar Labor & Employment Law Section and Toastmasters International, Stadium Club No. 1815, where she serves as Vice President – Public Relations. Ms. Cara volunteers her time at the “Ask-A-Lawyer” events sponsored by the San Diego County Bar Association and the Lawyer Referral & Information Service. She has also had the honor of serving as a guest speaker at UCSD’s Community Law Project, where she has been asked to describe her unique experiences as both a law student and as a young attorney.

Personal Service:

Ms. Cara is an avid reader and especially enjoys historical fiction. She enjoys traveling, fine dining, afternoon tea and spending time with friends and family.

Education:

LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, CA

J.D. 2002

Member of the California State Bar since December 4, 2002

Awards:

Dean’s Honor List, First Honors Awards for Legal Research & Writing, Enforcement of Judgments and Jewish Law

Activities:

Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review – Chief Articles Editor for 2001 – 2002

Volunteered at Bet Tzedek, Los Angeles (an organization that provides legal services to the economically disadvantaged) by assisting Spanish-speaking clients to communicate their legal concerns to attorneys.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA

B.A., English and American Literature

Honors: Provost’s Honors