Ellen Connelly Cohen is a Shareholder at Call & Jensen and one of Southern California’s most recognized employment defense attorneys. Named a Southern California Super Lawyer for excellence in employment defense litigation, Ellen brings over two decades of experience representing California employers in some of the most complex and high-stakes employment matters in the region — from single-plaintiff disputes to statewide class actions.

Ellen is admitted to practice in California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, and has litigated employment matters in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies including the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Employment Litigation

Ellen defends corporate employers across the full spectrum of California employment litigation, including:

• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
• Wrongful termination and failure to accommodate disabilities
• Wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative matters
• Employee misclassification claims
• Trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition
• Administrative agency proceedings before the DLSE and DFEH

Employment Counseling

Beyond the courtroom, Ellen serves as a trusted advisor to employers navigating the full range of California employment law compliance, including:

• Leaves of absence and disability accommodation
• Employee classification and reductions in force
• Workplace investigations and witness interviews
• Drafting and reviewing arbitration agreements, separation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and releases
• Employee handbooks and employment-related policies
• Position statements before administrative agencies

Speaking & Publications

Ellen is a sought-after speaker on California employment law, regularly presenting to HR professionals, legal associations, and national audiences. Recent engagements include sessions for the Orange County Bar Association, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Inland Empire SHRM, and The Knowledge Group. Topics have included leave of absence management, wage and hour compliance, disability discrimination, remote workforce risk, and workplace investigations.

She is a contributing author to CEB Practitioner, Employment Law (2020 ed.).

Background

Before joining Call & Jensen, Ellen was a Litigation and Employment Senior Associate in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, and practiced at an employment defense boutique in Irvine. Prior to her legal career, she spent eight years in higher education — serving as a Residential Adviser at Harvard University and an Undergraduate Admissions Officer at UCLA.

Education

A.B., Harvard University, cum laude J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2006

Recent Speaking Engagements

• • • August 12, 2024: “A Deep Dive Into Leave Of Absence Management,” OCBA Labor & Employment Law Section (Irvine, CA)
    • April 20, 2023: “Disability Discrimination Claims: Interplay between FEHA/ADA and Other Claims,” Inland Empire Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (webinar broadcast)
    • March 14, 2023: “California Wage and Hour Law,” Orange County Paralegal Association (webinar broadcast)
    • Sept. 26, 2022: “Wage & Hour Litigation and Compliance: Effective Strategies & Best Practices,” Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Northern California 2022 Annual Conference (Monterey, CA)
    • Nov. 18 & Dec. 2, 2021: “COVID Implications for the Workplace in 2022,” Workplace & Employment Law Update (webinar broadcast)
    • October 22, 2021: “Remote Workforce and Wage and Hour Issues: How to Address Potential Class Action Risk,” The Knowledge Group (national webinar broadcast)
    • October 11, 2021: “Discovery in Employment Arbitration: What You Need to Know Now,” Orange County Bar Association – Labor & Employment Section (webinar broadcast)
    • September 17, 2021: “Legal and Practical Issues Impacting Settlement in Employment Cases,” Orange County Bar Association 2021 Employment Law Symposium (webinar broadcast)
    • Sept. 18, 2020: “Marshalling Evidence When There’s No Smoking Gun: Litigating FEHA Claims Based on Subtle Harassment and Discrimination,” Orange County Bar Association 2020 Labor and Employment Law Symposium (webinar broadcast)
    • April 29, 2020: “COVID-19: Immediate Issues Facing Employers,” The Knowledge Group (national webinar broadcast)
    • December 6, 2019: “Disability Discrimination Claims: Interplay between Workers’ Compensation and Civil Litigation,” The Hartford Financial Services Group (Brea, CA)
    • October 1, 2019: “Wage & Hour Litigation and Compliance: Effective Strategies and Best Practices,” The Knowledge Group (national webinar broadcast)
    • May 24, 2019: “Overview of Intersecting State and Federal Leave Laws,” The Hartford Financial Services Group (Brea, CA)
    • April 8, 2019: “Case Updates – Defense Perspective,” Orange County Bar Association – Labor & Employment Section (Irvine, CA)
    • November 12, 2018: “Workplace & Harassment Investigations: Tips for HR,” Workplace & Employment Law Update (Burbank, CA)
    • November 9, 2018: “Workplace & Harassment Investigations: Tips for HR,” Workplace & Employment Law Update (San Diego, CA)

Recent Publications

• • • Contributing author, CEB Practitioner, Employment Law (2020 ed.)