Jennifer Randlett Madden

Partner

 VCard    Delfino Madden

Assistant:
Chrystal Wade
cwade@delfinomadden.com
916.661.5818

Jennifer Randlett Madden collaborates closely with her clients to devise proactive, effective and practical strategic employment programs that foster productive workplaces and prevent claims that could result in litigation. Jennifer recognizes when claims arise, early assessments in litigation are crucial.  She engages with her clients to undertake thorough claims investigations to develop effective litigation strategies in-line with potential exposure and litigation costs.

Jennifer represents business clients in state and federal courts and before state agencies to defend against all types of employment claims including claims of discrimination, wrongful termination and sexual harassment, wage and hour claims, contract actions, disputes over non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and other business torts.

Higher Education Experience

  • Jennifer Randlett Madden is one of the firm’s Higher Education specialists.
  • She works with public and private universities to provide day-to-day advice regarding employment, faculty and student issues and represents universities in related litigation.
  • Jennifer works closely with high level administrators, including Provosts and Vice Presidents to revise faculty, student and staff policies and procedures to ensure federal and state law compliance. She provides advice regarding Title IX compliance including policy scope, compliant handling, investigations and student judicial proceedings.
  • Jennifer also advises her clients regarding faculty governance issues and employment and faculty discipline. She successfully defends universities in employment litigation including recent claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and breach of contract.

Employment Class Action Experience

  • Represented private university in early successful resolution of wage and hour class action claim involving meal and rest breaks and PAGA claims.
  • Represented large local beverage distributor in wage and hour class action involving meal, rest break, non-compliant paystubs, unfair business practices and PAGA claims; successfully accomplished Pick-Up Stix settlements, reducing class significantly which lead to early settlement at mediation.
  • Successfully represented Fortune 500 national health care company in a state-wide wage and hour class action litigation for unpaid overtime, missed rest and meal breaks, penalties and unfair business practices.
  • In two separate cases, successfully opposed motions for class certification in both state and federal wage and hour class action litigation.  Motion ruling resulted in nuisance value settlement of claims with class representative.

Employment & Business Litigation Experience

  • Defended and successfully resolved litigation against large employer involving allegations of constructive discharge, transgender harassment/  discrimination and retaliation.
  • Defended large employer in two-week jury trial involving claims of wrongful termination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and disability discrimination. Successfully obtain a defense verdict on all claims.
  • Defended large employer in two-week binding arbitration involving claims of wrongful termination and retaliation. Successfully obtained a defense award on all claims.
  • Defended large local retailer in three-week jury trial in Sacramento County involving disability discrimination, accommodation, failure to engage in interactive process and punitive damages claims. Obtained defense verdict and award of costs.
  • Represented local biotechnology company in a four-day binding arbitration involving claims of breach of shareholder agreement, breach of employment agreement and wrongful termination.  Successfully obtained a defense award on all claims plus costs and attorneys’ fees.
  • Represented large retirement home business in successful resolution of wrongful termination and defamation claims in Sacramento County Superior Court.
  • Represented international solar industry employer in binding arbitration involving claims of breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair business practices and related claims.  Obtain successful award on all claims including award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
  • Represented national financial institution in multiple litigation matters in state courts involving claims of disability discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, retaliation and violation of public policy.
  • Successfully defended a public irrigation district General Manager in a two-week trial against claims of workplace violence.

Employment Counseling Experience

  • Provides advice regarding employee reductions, separations, severance agreements, leaves of absence, disability accommodations, performance issues and proactive discipline.
  • Prepares executive employment agreements, employee handbooks, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, drug testing and other employment policies.  Provide training to employees to introduce policy changes and answer questions.
  • Conducts investigations into employee complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Conducts supervisor sexual harassment prevention training to over 30 California employers, including executive team training in harassment prevention and classification of independent contractors.

Investigation Experience

  • ATIXA Civil Rights Investigator Certification Trained (including trauma informed processes)
  • Conducts workplace and Title IX investigations in compliance with ever changing federal and state laws and regulations
  • NACUA Investigator Trained

OSHA Experience

  • Represented local water district following OSHA citations. Brought appeals and successfully negotiated favorable settlement including reduction in citation designations and associated penalties.
  • Represented local manufacturing company in OSHA action following employee finger amputation. Prepared appeals and advised business client regarding safety and training improvements in the workplace. Negotiated favorable settlement including withdrawal of citations and reduction of remaining citations, including significant penalty reduction.
  • Represented a large retail company following employee fatality.  Prepared appeals, assisted with abatement efforts and negotiated favorable resolution with OSHA District Manager prior to hearing.
  • Developed Injury & Illness Prevention Program for public and private employers, including training programs and compliance. Advised employers regarding defensive practices during OSHA inspections and investigations.

Professional, Community and Pro Bono Involvement

Jennifer, a Sacramento native, is active in the local community. She serves on the Board of 3Strand Global Foundation– a nonprofit committed to fighting human trafficking through education. She also serves as General Counsel and on the Executive Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. From 2014-2018 she served on the Board of California Musical Theater.  She previously served on the Board of Fairytale Town where she spent much time as a child.

  • Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Member, 2002 – Present
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Employment Law Section, Member, 2002 – Present
  • Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Legal & Legislative Group, Member, 2002 – 2016
  • California State University, Sacramento, Human Resource Laws and Regulations, 2003 – 2006, Faculty
  • San Francisco Barristers, Board of Directors, Treasurer, 2000
  • San Francisco Barristers, High-Tech Practice Section, Co-Founder & Chair, 1998-2000
  • San Francisco Barristers Labor & Employment Law Section, Chair, 1999

Education

  • J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law, 1996
  • B.A., University of Southern California, 1992

Bar Admissions

  • California, 1996

Court Admissions

  • United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court Central District of California
  • United States District Court Eastern District of California
  • United States District Court Northern District of California
  • United States Supreme Court

In the News

2023
Employment Law Update 2022
Delfino Madden
Co-Presenter

2022
New Laws for the New Year:
Employment Law Update 2021
Delfino Madden
Co-Presenter

2018
Classification Complications: How to navigate the maze of California’s new rules on overtime and independent contractors
Comstock’s Magazine

2009
You’ve Been WARNed: Appropriate Care for Company Layoffs
Comstock’s Magazine

Speaking Engagements/Events

2020
Human Resources Roundtable: Steps to Re-Entry
Sacramento Metro Chamber
Co-Presenter

COVID-19 and the Impact on Employees
CalAsian Chamber
Presenter

Sacramento Bee Facebook Live with the Metro Chamber
Metro Chamber
Co-Presenter

A New Landscape – Employment Law Update for 2020
Delfino Madden
Co-Presenter

2019
A Look Ahead – Employment Law Update for 2019
Delfino Madden
Co-Presenter

2018
New Year, New Laws: Employment Law Update 2018

2017
Employment Law Guidance in Uncertain Times – Compliance for 2017

2016
A Look Forward: Employment Law Compliance for 2016

2015
Employment Law Update: 2014 A Year in Review

2014
Are You Ready for 2014? Many New Laws Will Affect California Employers
2014 Employment Law Seminar

2013
Keeping the Family Farm in the Family – Part 3
Presenter

Employment Law Update: Changes for 2013
Presenter

2012
Employment Law Update: What’s Your Next Move?
Presenter

2011
Counting the Hours: Increasing Accountability in Wage and Hour Practices
Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, Annual Conference
Co-Presenter

2011
Human Resources and Employment Law Update: Where do we go from here?
Financial Executives International, Sacramento chapter
Co-presenter

Employment Law Update: A Review of Changes for 2011
Presenter

2010
Top 10 Ways to Avoid Disability Discrimination Claims and Improve Interactive Process Compliance
Association of California Water Agencies, Annual Conference
Co-Presenter

Employment Law Update: Current Issues and Future Trends
Presenter

2009
Social Networks: A Modern Employer Threat
Wilcox, Miller & Nelson, HR Executives in Transition
Co-Presenter

An Ounce of Prevention: Human Resources Role in Wage & Hour Claims
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Annual Conference
Presenter

Employment Law in Challenging Times: A Review of 2008 and Looking Forward to 2009
Presenter

2008
A Human Resources Toolbox for Managers and Supervisors
Presenter

Responding to Agency Charges
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, Annual Conference
Presenter

How to Properly Hire, Fire & Discipline Employees
Nonprofit Resource Center
Presenter

What Will They Think of Next: Changes in Employment Law for 2008
Presenter

2007
Navigating the Waters of California Law Regarding Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association, In-Depth Seminar Series
Presenter

A Human Resources Toolbox for Managers and Supervisors
Presenter

Make Sense of California Leave Laws: Intersection and Overlap
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
Presenter

Employment Law 2007: What You Need to Know Now
Presenter

2006
Employment Law 2006: CFO’s Top Ten
Executive Forums
Presenter

Finessing an Executive Termination
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
Moderator and Presenter

Employment Law 2005: What You Need to Know Now
Presenter

2005
Sexual Harassment and Investigations
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
Moderator and Presenter

Wage and Hour Pitfalls
Sacramento Employer’s Advisory Council
Presenter

Employment Law Issues for California Businesses
CEB Program
Presenter

Legislative Update and Wage/Hour Prevention
Yuba City Business Chapter
Presenter

2004 Legislative Update
Presenter

2004
EEO Rules and Compliance
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
Presenter

Wage & Hour Update/New Legislation
Lorman Education Services
Presenter

Employment Law: What You Need to Know to Run a Successful Practice
Sacramento Veterinary Practice Managers
Presenter

2003 Year in Review
Woodland and Sacramento
Presenter

2003
Employers Can Require Arbitration Agreements
Presenter

Critical Issues in Employment Litigation
Continuing Education of the Bar
Presenter

The Definitive Guide to Employment Law for HR Professionals in California
Council on Education in Management
Presenter

Best Practices in FMLA Administration
Council on Education in Management
Presenter

Employment Law 2002: Year in Review
Downey Brand LLP
Presenter

2002
How to Write a Definitive Performance Appraisal
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Program
Presenter

Publications

2003
New Developments on the Arbitration Front
Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Newsletter

2000
Employee Assistance Programs: What Your Clients Should Know
California Labor & Employment Law Quarterly

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