Nancy E. Pritikin has joined the Palo Alto office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment practice group. Pritikin joins from Littler Mendelson, where she co-chaired the firm’s Complex Litigation and Jury Trials practice group.
"Nancy is highly regarded for her experience as a lead trial attorney and has handled many high profile cases. She is also one of a handful of attorneys who has successfully served as lead trial counsel for multiple high profile cases. We enthusiastically welcome Nancy to the firm. She is a top-tier employment attorney and excellent fit for our formidable Labor and Employment practice," said Guy N. Halgren, chairman of Sheppard Mullin.
"I am excited to join Sheppard Mullin, a full-service firm that can service my clients’ needs beyond employment matters. I have been very impressed by the entrepreneurial culture of the Palo Alto office and the firm's significant nationwide growth, including the Labor and Employment practice group. I am also looking forward to again practicing with former colleagues Ron Holland, Paul Cowie and Ellen Bronchetti," Pritikin commented.
"Nancy is a tough, no-nonsense litigator with a tremendous amount of nationally–renowned trial experience. I am glad to again be practicing with her and thrilled that she is joining us in Palo Alto. Nancy will be a significant asset to our Labor and Employment practice, in the Bay Area and firmwide,” commented Paul S. Cowie, managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Palo Alto office.
Pritikin has specialized in employment litigation and labor law for her entire legal career. In addition to private practice, she has also worked as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Pritikin has extensive courtroom experience and specializes in employment discrimination, wrongful termination, investigations of employee conduct and sexual harassment matters. Regarded for her experience as a trial attorney, Pritikin is well-versed in high-profile employment class action matters. In addition to representing a police chief in a highly-publicized sexual harassment case, she has represented the Supreme Court of California in litigation alleging disability discrimination.
Pritikin appears regularly in state and federal courts, mediation, and arbitration forums and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and she handles discrimination and sexual harassment issues arising under Title VII, The Family and Medical Leave Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, The California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Pritikin also has extensive knowledge of California wage and hour laws and leave laws. She has counseled employers in many aspects of the employment relationship, including avoidance of litigation, disability issues, drug testing, background investigations, sexual harassment investigations, reductions-in-force and development of personnel policies and procedures. Pritikin also provides leadership for NITA jury trial and deposition training.
Pritikin received a J.D. in 1978, with honors, from University of Florida and a B.A. in 1975 from University of Florida.
Sheppard Mullin has 40 attorneys based in its Palo Alto office. The firm’s Labor and Employment practice group includes 115 attorneys firmwide.