About Carolina
Carolina Schwalbach defends local and national employers and management on a full spectrum of labor and employment matters in various distinct industries, including healthcare, entertainment production, food and beverage and retail. Schwalbach’s litigation practice has a special emphasis on defending employers with workforces in California against a range of alleged claims, including employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) actions, and wage and hour class actions. She also assists businesses mitigate their risks by drafting and developing legally compliant policies, as well as providing advice on issues relating to state and federal leave laws, harassment and discrimination issues, independent contractor compliance, terminations, and wage-hour laws. Schwalbach also counsels unionized employers regarding various aspects of union-management relations and assists non-unionized employers with union campaigns and union avoidance efforts. Whether she is defending her clients in litigation or providing proactive advice, clients can expect Schwalbach will act as an extension of their team.
Schwalbach has extensive experience litigating matters from beginning to end at trial and in arbitration. She has obtained summary judgment on behalf of several California employers, as well as walk-away settlements of class and individual actions.
She is a native Spanish speaker and regularly utilizes this skill providing trainings, such as California’s mandated harassment trainings for supervisors and employees, and in defending clients on employment law matters.
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Areas of Practice
Wage and Hour Issues
Class Actions
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Litigation
EEO Litigation
Traditional Labor Law - Unions and the NLRB
Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
Education
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, J.D. 2011
- Review of Law and Social Justice, Staff Editor, 2009-2010
- Latino Law Students Associations, Co-Chair, 2009-2010; Alumni Relations Chair, 2010-2011
- Public Interest Law Foundation, Events Chair 2009-2010
- Recipient, Los Angeles County Bar Pro Bono Award, 2010
- Recipient, Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California, 2009-2010
University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., Political Science & Latin American Studies, 2008
cum laude; college honors
Publications
“How Healthcare Employers Can Avoid the Legal Perils of a Remote Workforce," Co-Author, Health Care Compliance Association, Compliance Today, September 2021
"What Healthcare Organizations Can Do to Stay Compliant in the Era of Marijuana Legalization," Co-Author, Health Care Compliance Association, Compliance Today, October Issue
"Healthcare's Hurdles in 2020 Employment Law," Co-Author, HR Legal and Compliance Excellence, March 2020
"Are You Ready for 2020? Here is What Businesses in the Grocery Industry Need to Know," Today's Grocer, December 2019
"Class Actions: Exotic Dance Club Makes One Sidestep Too Many," California Employment Law Letter, September 2017
"California: Be Proactive In Ensuring Arbitration Agreements Are Fully Enforceable," California Employment Law Letter, August 2016
"Attorneys' Fees: Double Standard? Prevailing or Not, Employers May Be Left Empty-Handed," California Employment Law Letter, July 2015
Presentations
"What is Happening at the NLRB? What Companies Should Know," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, October 2023
"Top Seven Non-COVID Related Employment Law Issues for California Employers," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, March 2022
"COVID-19 Related Employment Issues Impacting the Healthcare Industry," Panelist, CDF Healthcare Education Webinar Series, October 2021
"California’s Patchwork of Local Employment Ordinances – a Minefield For the Unwary," Panelist, CDF Webinar Series, February 2021
"DFEH Guidelines: Latest Regulations & Guidance for Employers," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, September 2017
Professional Affiliations/Leadership/Awards
Listed, Super Lawyers Southern California, 2024
Listed, Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars, 2018 - 2021
California State Bar, Member, 2011 - present
Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2011 - present
- Barristers Section
- Labor and Employment Section
USC Latino Law Alumni Association 2011 - present
Professionals In Human Resources Association
Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce, 2016
CDF Labor Law LLP
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, 2021 - Present
