Kari Searles represents private and public employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including suits for wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, disability accommodations, and equal pay violations. In addition to litigation services, she advises and educates employers in a broad range of employment-related issues including wage and hour, leaves of absence, and general employee discipline issues.

After graduating from the University of San Diego School of Law, Ms. Searles provided advice and guidance to the County of Monterey in its training programs and professional contracts. Over the past several years, her work has been dedicated to defending employers and their employees in litigation matters and providing guidance and advice to managers and human resources professionals designed to avoid litigation and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
 
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP - Associate
  June 2002 - Present
• Children's Technology Group, Inc. - Associate
  August 2000 - January 2001
• Monterey County Administrative Office - Administrative Analyst/Legal Consultant
  September 1999 - May 2000

EDUCATION

• University of San Diego School of Law
  J.D. 1999
• University of California at Berkeley
  B.A. 1996

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

• Speaker, Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton, New Developments in Employment Law “Workplace Law 2004” (November 2003)
• Presenter, Masters of Law Seminar, “From Cradle to Grave” (June 2003)
• Lecturer, San Diego Employer Association, “Wage and Hour-Exempt v. Non-Exempt” (March 2003)

PUBLICATIONS

• Corporate Ethics and Sarbanes-Oxley Recovering Corporate Integrity, Richard A. Paul and Kari Searles (collaborator), Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton (January 13, 2003)
• Enright Inns of Court, Genetic Testing and the Law - California Civil and Employment Issues, Richard A. Paul and Kari Searles (January 13, 2003)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Member, San Diego County Bar Association - Labor and Employment Law Section
• Member, Balboa Park House of Hospitality Executive Committee

ADMISSIONS

Ms. Searles is admitted to practice before all California state courts and the District Court for the Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of California.