People: Karla Grossenbacher, Partner

Karla Grossenbacher

Partner

Washington, D.C.
Direct: (202) 828-3556
Fax: (202) 828-5393
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Ms. Grossenbacher is a partner in Seyfarth Shaw’s Washington D.C. office concentrating in labor and employment law. She is Chair of the Washington D.C. labor and employment practice and serves on the firm’s national Labor and Employment Steering Committee. She joined Seyfarth Shaw in 1993 after clerking for the Honorable Mildred M. Edwards of the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

Ms. Grossenbacher has extensive experience representing employers in employment-related litigation on federal, state and local levels before courts, arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies, regarding claims concerning discrimination, wage and hour violations (including collective actions), ERISA, enforceability of arbitration agreements in the employment context and covenants not to compete. Ms. Grossenbacher has litigated such matters in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and Alabama. She also represents employers in traditional labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and arbitrations, as well as unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition, Ms. Grossenbacher regularly provides counseling to employers on matters of employee discipline, enforcement and implementation of employment policies, workplace investigations and reductions in force. She is a dynamic speaker and has provided training on a variety of issues, such as administering discipline, conducting performance appraisals, managing in a union environment, electronic privacy issues and sexual harassment. Ms. Grossenbacher is also an editor of the Employment Law Strategist and regularly writes on current issues regarding employment and labor law, as well as ERISA litigation issues.

 

Ms. Grossenbacher is a partner in Seyfarth Shaw’s Washington D.C. office concentrating in labor and employment law. She is Chair of the Washington D.C. labor and employment practice and serves on the firm’s national Labor and Employment Steering Committee. She joined Seyfarth Shaw in 1993 after clerking for the Honorable Mildred M. Edwards of the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

Ms. Grossenbacher has extensive experience representing employers in employment-related litigation on federal, state and local levels before courts, arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies, regarding claims concerning discrimination, wage and hour violations (including collective actions), ERISA, enforceability of arbitration agreements in the employment context and covenants not to compete. Ms. Grossenbacher has litigated such matters in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and Alabama. She also represents employers in traditional labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and arbitrations, as well as unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition, Ms. Grossenbacher regularly provides counseling to employers on matters of employee discipline, enforcement and implementation of employment policies, workplace investigations and reductions in force. She is a dynamic speaker and has provided training on a variety of issues, such as administering discipline, conducting performance appraisals, managing in a union environment, electronic privacy issues and sexual harassment. Ms. Grossenbacher is also an editor of the Employment Law Strategist and regularly writes on current issues regarding employment and labor law, as well as ERISA litigation issues.

 

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center (1992)
    cum laude
  • B.A., Marquette University (1989)
    with honors

Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Third and Fourth Circuits
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
  • Employment Law Strategist (Board of Editors)

 

Representative Engagements

  • Baker v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 240 F. Supp.2d 454 (D.Md. 2003) and 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 9674 (D.C. Cir. 2003) (employment discrimination)
  • Parskevaides v. Four Seasons Washington, 148 F. Supp.2d 20 (D.D.C. 2001) and 292 F.3d 886 (D.C. Cir. 2002) (negligence, D.C. Innkeeper statute)
  • Sisay v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 34 F. Supp.2d 59 (D.D.C. 1998) (employment discrimination)
  • Williams v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., No. 97-6997, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12986 (E.D.Pa. 1998) (employment discrimination)
  • Jackson v. Washington Hilton Hotel, No. 94-82, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11401 (D.D.C. 1997) and 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12223 (D.D.C. 1997) (employment discrimination)
  • Orantes, et al. v. Central Parking of Virginia, Inc., No. 99-1842-A, (E.D. Va. 1999) (FLSA collective action)

Publications