Dennis D. Strazulo

Overview

Management-side employment law counselor Dennis Strazulo brings more than three decades of experience serving as a trusted advisor, litigator, and trial advocate to his diverse clientele. Dennis is consistently appreciated for his analytical precision and ability to identify novel legal approaches where conventional strategies fall short.

Employers value Dennis’s proactive risk management skills, talent for finding creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems, responsiveness during critical situations, ability to navigate sensitive workplace and other matters with diplomacy, and judicious solutions that balance legal protection with commercial advancement. He provides daily legal advice to executives and human resource professionals regarding issues such as terminations, wage and hour compliance, sexual harassment, discrimination, severance, and employment agreements. Dennis is also a frequent lecturer to national audiences on complex employment law issues, strategic case management, and mediation tactics.

Notably, Dennis served as a weekly guest on a local radio program covering employment law topics, drawing acclaim from listeners for his insights and clear communication style.  Outside of the office, Dennis is the President of the Board of Directors of Music Heals International, a nationally acclaimed non-profit supporting music education for underprivileged children, authors entertainment articles for San Francisco Bay Area magazine publications and is co-host of the Only In The Green Room podcast archiving backstage moments, interviewing musicians on their day-of-show appearances. Known as “an artist with people” within the community, Dennis' communication acumen and knack for balancing legal compliance with practical business realities enable clients to make confident decisions even in high-stakes scenarios.

Honors & Speeches

Honors

• Super Lawyers Honoree, Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, California Super Lawyers, 2004

Presentations & Speeches

• Speaker, “Social Media: From Protecting Candidates to Selecting Jurors – Social Media Best Practices for Employment Lawyers,” Employment Practices Liability ExecuSummit Conference, September 26, 2017
• Speaker, “Guiding Employers Through the New DOL Overtime Regulations and Other Wage and Hour Emerging Issues – Meet the Modern Wage & Hour Insurance Policy,” EPLI Fall ExecuSummit Conference, September 28, 2016
• Speaker, “Ensuring Compliance with New Pay Equity Laws, Pitfalls to Avoid for Employers Operating in New York and California, and What is on the Horizon for Other States?” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 27^thNational Forum on Wage & Hour Claims & Class Actions, June 2, 2016
• Speaker, “Settlement Agreements –How Far is Too Far? Balancing the Obligation to Protect Your Client without Creating New Avenues for Liability,” 2^nd Annual National Employment Practices Liability Insurance ExecuSummit, April 12, 2016
• Speaker, “Protection Beyond Coverage – Or If There Isn’t Any!” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 22^nd Annual Conference on Employment Practices Liability Insurance, March 2, 2015
• Speaker, “EPLI and Wage & Hour Issues: Assessing the Market and Coverage Needs, the Latest on Exclusions, Coverage Buy Back and Sublimits, and Best Practices for Mitigating Exposure to Claims Involving Overtime and DOL Exemptions,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 22^ndNational Conference Employment Practices Liability Insurance, January 27, 2015
• Speaker, “Current Trends in Workplace Harassment and Discrimination: Transgender, Racial, Age and Gender Claims,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 20^thNational EPLI Conference, January 28, 2014
• Speaker, “Problem Children: Claims in California and Florida,” 8^thAnnual National Employment Practices Liability Insurance ExecuSummit Conference, October 1, 2013
• Speaker, “The Triangular Relationship of Carriers, Insureds, and Defense Counsel: Ensuring Ethical Conduct in the Management, Litigation, and Settlement of EPL Claims,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 19^thConference on Employment Practices Liability Insurance, June 25, 2013
• Speaker, “The Tripartite Relationship of Carriers, Insureds, and Defense Counsel: The Ethical Balancing of Interests in the Litigation and Settlement of EPL Claims,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 18^thAnnual Conference on Employment Practices Liability Insurance, January 30, 2013
• Speaker, “Top 10 Mistakes that lead to Employment Lawsuits,” Heffernan Insurance Sales Meeting, June 2012
• Speaker, “The Tripartite Relationship: Navigating the Tight Rope Around the Bermuda Triangle When Defending EPLI Claims,” PLAN Regional Meeting, October 18, 2012
• Speaker, “Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, and Settlement of EPL Claims: Strategies and Techniques for Engaging in Successful Alternative Dispute Resolutions,” American Conference Institute (ACI) EPLI Conference, January 24, 2012
• Speaker, “Termination Bombs,” National Audio Conference Webinar Presented by ePlace Solutions, Inc., October 6, 2011
• Speaker, “Keeping the Heroes and Losing the Zeros Hiring and Firing Laws and Flaws,” Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2011 Annual Conference, June 29, 2011
• Speaker, “Perspectives on Claims Trends, Cost Control, Underwriting Considerations, Panel Counsel, and the Defense and Settlement of Claims,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 16^thAnnual Conference on Employment Practices Liability Insurance, January 25, 2011
• Speaker, “Keeping the Heroes; Losing the Zeros,” California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) Conference, (September 2010)
• “How Employers are Using Social Media,” National Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) ExecuSummit, 2010
• Speaker, “Employment Law Update – Part 2,” 4^thAnnual National Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) ExecuSumitt 2009

News

Civic

• President, Board of Directors, Music Heals International
• Board of Directors, Italian Community Services, 2012-2020

Professional

• Member, Professional Liability Underwriting Society, 2003 to Present