Conn Maciel Carey LLP Expands California Employment Practice with Kimberly Cole Addition

Conn Maciel Carey LLP has enhanced its California labor and employment practice with the addition of Kimberly Cole as Senior Counsel in its Los Angeles and San Francisco offices. Cole brings more than two decades of specialized experience in California employment law, strengthening the firm's capabilities in a jurisdiction known for its complex and rapidly evolving workplace regulations.

Cole's practice encompasses comprehensive employment law representation, including wage and hour disputes from audits through compliance and defense of individual, class action, and PAGA claims. She has extensive experience defending clients against discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower claims through all stages of litigation, from initial demand through jury trial. Her background includes representation before administrative agencies and appellate courts, providing clients with full-spectrum legal support.

Kara M. Maciel, Chair of CMC's Labor and Employment Practice Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this addition, noting that having someone of Kimberly's caliber who has a sharp legal insight and deep understanding of California's labor and employment law is a tremendous asset to our team and to our clients in that region. The firm's California Practice Chair, Rachel L. Conn, highlighted Cole's track record of achieving favorable outcomes in diverse and complex employment matters.

Cole's appointment comes at a time when California employers face increasing regulatory complexity and enforcement activity. Her expertise is particularly valuable given California's unique employment laws, which often set precedents for other states and present significant compliance challenges for businesses operating in the state. For more information about the firm's services, visit https://www.connmaciel.com.

In addition to her legal practice, Cole maintains professional memberships with the California Bar Association, the California Labor and Employment section, and the Association of Workplace Investigators. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the College of Law in Santa Barbara, teaching legal writing and professional ethics, bringing academic rigor to her practical legal expertise.

This development signals the growing importance of specialized California employment law expertise as businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. The addition of seasoned professionals like Cole provides HR vendors and their clients with enhanced legal resources to address the unique challenges posed by California's employment framework, which frequently influences national workplace standards and compliance requirements.