As part of our continuing series of PL Perspectives on Coronavirus, we’re focusing in on EPL business lines. We have three EPL experts discussing the possible effects of COVID-19 from underwriting, risk management, and legal perspectives. Thank you to the speakers for their time and expertise!
Listen here to the EPL Perspectives on Coronavirus discussion:
Sarah Goldstein, Managing Partner & Partner in Employment Litigation practice at O’Hagan Meyer
Sarah represents organizations of all sizes in employment-related matters and advises companies on proactive compliance with employment and wage and hour laws. Sarah is an experienced trial lawyer in both the Federal and California Superior Courts, with a focus on harassment, whistle-blower, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, PAGA and wage and hour matters.
Her litigation practice includes defending employment actions under the Fair Employment and Housing Act including gender, pregnancy, race, ancestry, color, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wrongful termination claims, whistleblower claims, wage and hour claims, and retaliation matters. Sarah also represents employers in administrative actions before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
In 1998, Sarah received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services. An active member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), Sarah currently serves on the Board of Trustees and is the current board liaison to the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She chaired the Women’s Leadership Network event in Los Angeles in September 2012 and from 2009 to 2011, she served as Southern California Chapter Chairperson.
Matthew Sgnilek, Partner in the Employment practice at O’Hagan Meyer
Matthew represents employers in a variety of employment cases and administrative actions, including claims for civil rights violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, American Disabilities Act (ADA) violations, unfair business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, as well as Private Attorney General’s Act (PAGA), individual and class action wage & hour disputes. Matt represents employers in both state and federal courts, in arbitration, and before state and federal agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Matt conducts employee classification audits, payroll audits, HR best practices audits, and workplace investigations. Matt also provides preventive counseling to his clients and works with them to ensure compliant HR policies and documents are in place.. Matt is a frequent speaker providing seminars and workshops on employment issues, including Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training to executives, supervisors, managers and human resources professionals.
Kelly Thoerig, Managing Director, Employment Practices Liability Coverage Leader at Marsh
Kelly is Marsh’s U.S. Employment Practices Liability and Wage and Hour Coverage Leader and is primarily responsible for manuscripting EPL and W&H policies, leading policy and insurer new product reviews, and drafting endorsements. In addition, Kelly is a claims advocate for Marsh’s FINPRO practice, specializing in complex coverage and claims issues concerning EPL, W&H, D&O, professional liability, crime, and cyber insurance, where she calls upon her prior law firm experience representing insurance carriers in coverage disputes. Kelly frequently presents at industry seminars nationwide on various insurance coverage topics.
