About Mark
Mark S. Spring has over 25 years of experience handling labor and employment law matters throughout Northern California. Spring’s practice is focused on representation of management in union-management relations and handling litigation triggered by all types of employment related disputes. He practices out of our Sacramento and San Francisco offices.
Spring has a successful record of dealings with union locals from the Teamsters, UFCW, IBEW, Laborers, SEIU and Stationary Engineers. He negotiates union contracts, handles ULP charges, resolves grievances, represents clients at grievance arbitrations, and manages secondary picketing issues and other strike related litigation and matters. In addition, Spring assists non-union employers with union avoidance efforts, and counsels employers during union campaigns.
Spring’s reputation for litigation excellence is built upon an impressive record as lead trial counsel in high-stakes employment litigation in both federal and state court. In addition to his courtroom and trial work, he regularly represents California employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and employee safety issues in administrative matters and hearings before the NLRB, DFEH, EEOC, DLSE, Cal-OSHA, CUIAB and other state and federal agencies.
Spring maintains a significant litigation prevention practice, advising national and regional clients on adopting employment policies to comply with California law. Spring has also represented public figures, elected officials, executives and athletes in high-profile sexual harassment lawsuits and investigations.
Spring is a member of the American Employment Law Council (AELC), a national invitation-only group of senior, management side employment attorneys. He is the Northern California representative for the Wage & Hour Defense Institute (WHDI) a group comprised of rigidly selected top wage and hour litigators from across the country.
Spring loves to teach. He is an adjunct lecturer at California State University, Sacramento where he teaches an undergraduate course in recreation law each semester. Spring is also a frequent speaker to employment-related groups and associations on a variety of labor and employment law issues and is in charge of our firm’s monthly webinar series.
In his off-the-clock hours, Spring enjoys playing golf and white water rafting. Spring keeps his competitive juices flowing outside of work as well. He has served many years as a high school basketball and lacrosse coach. He currently is an assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Folsom High School.
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Areas of Practice
Traditional Labor Law - Unions and the NLRB
EEO Litigation
Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
Wage and Hour Issues
Workplace Health and Safety
Class Actions
Education
George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 1991
- Journal of International Law and Economics, 1990-1991
- The Advocate Student Newspaper, Asst. Editor, 1989-1991
- U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Special Investigations, Law Clerk
Georgetown University, B.S. Finance, cum laude, 1988
- Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to the University, 1988
- Varsity Men’s Lacrosse Team, 1984-1985
Brasenose College, Oxford University, Summer 1987
- Comparative Business Program
Publications
"Doing Business In California? Be Sure You Comply With These New Employment Rules," Talent Management and HR, January 2018
"New Laws Beginning Jan. 1 Impact California Employers," Northbay Business Journal, December 2017
The Employer Survival Guide for the Hospitality Industry, Co-authored with Jeremy Naftel, 2003
Written Opinions
Kulshestha v. First Union Commercial Corp., 33 Cal. 4th 601 (2004)
English v. IKON Office Solutions, Inc., 94 Cal. App. 4th 708C (2001)
Ho v. IKON Office Solutions, Inc., 143 F.Supp. 2d 1163 (N.D. Cal. 2001)
Rains v. Criterion Systems, Inc., 80 F.3d 339 (9th Cir. 1996)
Presentations
"California Labor and Employment Law Year in Review – Key Developments from 2017 and Tips To Prepare for 2018," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar, November 2017
“How to Avoid Liability When Hiring and Firing Employees,” American Academy of Attorney CPAs 2017 Fall Meeting & Education Conference, November 2017
"Predicting the Direction Under President Trump: Insight for California Employers," CDF Webinar Series, March 2017
"California Labor & Employment Law Year in Review – Key Developments from 2016 and Tips To Prepare for 2017," CDF Webinar Series, November 2016
“Ethics in Coaching,” Sacramento State University, November 2016
"What Business Owners & Executives Need To Know About California Employment Law The Basics," Northern California Business Network, August 2016
"What Employers Should Do About Recent NLRB Activity and Related Developments," CDF Webinar Series, August 2016
"2016 California Employment Law Developments," Vistage Executive Group 037, January 2016
"Wrongful Termination Lawsuits: How to Successfully Attack Damages Claims & How to Efficiently Get the Data to Do So," CDF Webinar Series, May 2016
"Get Ready for 2016: New Employment Laws in California & What To Do About Them," CDF Webinar Series, December 2015
"What May Be Coming Down The Road: Bills Pending In The California Legislature," CDF Webinar Series, June 2015
"What Employers Should Know About The Recent NLRB Activism," CDF Webinar Series, February 2015
"Employment Related Inquiries on Arrests and Convictions: California Employers Beware," CDF Webinar Series, April 2014
"Mandatory Sick Leave, Contractor Wage & Hour Liability & Beyond: New Employment Laws California Employers Need to Know," CDF Webinar Series, November 2014
"New Challenges for California Employers: What You Need to Know for 2014," CDF Webinar Series, November 2013
"NLRB Steps Into The Non-Union Workplace: Are You Ready?," CDF Webinar Series, June 2013
"NLRB Developments - Appropriate Aggressiveness or a Moving Target?," American Bar Association Section of Litigation's Annual CLE Conference, Chicago, April 2013
"Social Media & The NLRB," 2013 California State Legislative Conference, CalSHRM, April 2013
"Social Media In Your Workplace: Here To Stay, So What Are You Doing About It," Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern California Chapter, February 2012
"Essentials in California Employment Law," CSU Sacramento - Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administration, April 2011 and November 2011
"Social Media in the Restaurant Industry," California Restaurant Association Education Seminar, October 2011
Professional Affiliations/Leadership/Awards
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Employment Law - Management, Sacramento, 2018
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Litigation, Labor and Employment, Sacramento, 2018
Listed, Top Lawyers, Sacramento Magazine, 2018
Listed, Northern California Super Lawyers, 2008 - 2009 & 2013 - 2017
Listed, Best of the Bar, Sacramento Business Journal, 2015
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rated
Wage and Hour Defense Institute (WHDI), Northern California Representative, 2015 - present
American Employment Law Council (AELC), Member, 2007 - present
Sacramento County Bar Association Diversity Hiring and Retention Committee, Member, 2003 - present
Sacramento No Glass Ceiling Task Force, Board of Directors, 2005 - 2007
California State University, Sacramento - Adjunct Lecturer - Introduction to Recreation Law, 2014 - present
University of Phoenix, Sacramento Campus, Employment law/Business law Adjunct Lecturer, 1998 - 2001
Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, Legal and Legislative Director/Board of Directors, 1998 - 2000
Civic Activities
Mark Spring featured in the December 15, 2017, Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, In Recess Column Article "Coaching Advocate" - recognizing his coaching efforts since law school.
Volunteer Basketball Coach – Georgetown University/U.S. State Department Balkan Basketball Diplomacy Project – Bar, Montenegro, August 2011 and August 2012
Assistant Boys Basketball Coach - Folsom High School, 2000 - 2002; 2006 - 2009; 2012 - 2013; 2015 - present
JV and Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach, Oak Ridge High School, 2011 - 2014
Rolling Hills Middle School, Head girls basketball coach, 2010 - 2011
El Dorado Hills Youth Lacrosse Club, Youth girls coach, 2007 - 2010
Temple Or Rishon, Board of Directors, 1996 - 1998
Folsom Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Folsom Program Graduate
Pro Bono
Provide pro bono services to a variety of non-profit organizations in Sacramento, including Shalom Jewish School and Temple Or Rishon Congregation. Counsel includes representing these organizations in employee disputes, negotiations with their executives, and providing general guidelines on employment policies and situations.
Spring is also on an attorney panel for the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. The program provides pro bono representation for members of our armed services.
Chair, CDF Pro Bono Committee, 2015 - 2017
