Kerri R. Lutfey

Overview

Kerri Lutfey defends employers and management-level professionals against the range of workplace-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour actions. Her practice is built on courtroom readiness: even matters that settle early benefit from preparation that assumes trial. This stance often shapes how Kerri handles demand letters, agency investigations, and settlement discussions. Clients value her ability to assess risk clearly and respond proportionately, whether the situation calls for aggressive advocacy or strategic resolution.

Kerri’s litigation experience is substantial and includes the resolution of single- and multi-plaintiff lawsuits and individual cases involving significant exposure. She has handled matters through EEOC proceedings, state agency investigations, arbitration, and trial. Early on, her role as second chair in a sexual harassment and wrongful termination case resulted in a complete defense verdict—upheld on appeal—reflecting her capacity to manage high-stakes disputes where reputational and financial consequences are considerable.

Beyond litigation, Kerri delivers ongoing employment advisory services as manifest in her consistently viable solutions grounded in sound legal theory; she helps clients avoid disputes altogether. Kerri drafts policies, conducts training, and advises on termination decisions, accommodation requests, and disciplinary actions. Kerri’s proactive preventive advice requires an understanding not only of what the law permits but also what solutions will withstand overarching scrutiny if challenged. Kerri’s clients appreciate and benefit from her legally sound and operationally realistic counsel.

Experience

• Represented several skilled nursing facilities and a California-based skilled nursing management company in a matter involving arbitration wherein the arbitrator granted our motion for summary adjudication as to those entities in their entirety in October 2025
• Represented an individual defendant in a sexual harassment and wrongful termination case that resulted in a complete defense verdict at trial in 2019
• Represented numerous skilled nursing facilities on all labor and employment law matters throughout California since 2018

Honors, Publications, & Speeches

Honors

• Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Southern California, 2020-2022

Publications

• Co-Author, “Collect Call-In?” Employment Law Blog, March 7, 2019
• Author, "California Enacts New Laws Expanding Lactation Accommodation Requirements, Other Paid Family Leave Benefits," Labor & Employment Law Article, October 12, 2018
• Author, "California Supreme Court Settles Unresolved Questions Regarding 'Day of Rest' Requirements For Non-Exempt Employees, Affording Employers More Flexibility And Much Needed Guidance," Labor & Employment Law Article, May 25, 2017

Speeches

• Speaker, “EPL Trends and Claims in California and Across the Country in 2023,” Insurance Company CLE/CE Presentation, October 2023
• Trainer/Speaker, “Sexual Harassment and Abuse Conduct Prevention Training,” Skilled Nursing Facility Client, February 2024
• Speaker, “Running with the Bulls,” Insurance Company Presentation, September 2024

Professional

• Member, Labor and Employment Law, California Lawyers Association, 2026 to Present
• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2022 to Present