Frederick Engbarth

I have practiced law, as a “sole practitioner” in Santa Rosa, California, continuously since 1984. During that time I have represented clients in the following areas of practice: labor and employment; defense of professional licenses; and, education.

My practice in the representation of public and private sector employees with labor and employment disputes includes, but is not limited to, internal investigations, grievances, discipline, discrimination complaints,
disability, layoffs, exit and settlement agreements, mediations and arbitrations, enforcement of labor agreements, workplace violence, retaliation, and “wrongful terminations.”

I represent clients before the State Personnel Board (SPB); the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH); the Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association (SCERA); California State Labor Commissioner; Unemployment Insurance Appeals; various local grievance and disciplinary boards; and with litigation in state and federal court.

I also represent clients before state licensing boards and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

As a “sole practitioner” I personally manage all aspects of a client’s case, from “cradle-to-grave,” including, but not limited to, initial case interview and assessment; factual investigation; legal research; advice and counseling; negotiation; mediation; and when necessary, litigation.

I have successfully obtained favorable resolutions of disputes through negotiation, mediation, and without the need to prosecute claims through trial litigation.

From 2003-2007, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 707, retained my services to serve as its Staff Counsel. In that capacity, I had the opportunity, in addition to my usual services, to train and mentor that organization’s field staff in the management of employment and labor disputes.

Prior to the establishment of my law practice in 1984, I was employed, on a full-time basis, at Sonoma State University, in positions ranging from Student Affairs Assistant through Assistant to the President-Judicial Affairs Officer.
(Academic Specialist)

My early assignments were in the Student Affairs Division, ranging from those of a student affairs assistant (Student Affairs Assistant I-II and Student Affairs Officer III) to Associate Dean of Students (Student Affairs Officer IV) and included responsibility for program development and the management of student, faculty, and staff grievances, discipline and other personnel matters.

From 1980 through 1984, I served within the University’s administration as Assistant to the President-Judicial Affairs Officer. This assignment was similar to that of an in-house counsel. Each of the primary University Administrators would forward legal issues to my office for review. In consultation with the Director of Personnel, Campus Affirmative Action Officer, and the Academic Vice-President, I reviewed and drafted responses to “personnel matters,” conducted investigations, served as “co-counsel” to the University’s Office of the General Counsel in Long Beach, and in cases of civil litigation, to the California Attorney General’s Office.

In 1984 I left employment at the University to establish my private practice. From 1984-1984, the University retained my services, on a contract basis, to work with the Office of the General Counsel and the California Attorney General’s Office in the defense of several complex and sensitive employment disputes involving senior administrative officers and members of the faculty. In each of the cases assigned to me I conducted investigation and research, designed deposition questions, and served as “co-counsel” at trial.