Lizbeth (Beth) V. West

Shareholder


Sacramento

916.558.6082

Beth is a shareholder and Chair of the Firm’s Labor & Employment practice group.

Employment Counseling and Training
Beth has years of experience assisting employers in all aspects of their employment relationship with their employees. Her practice focuses on counseling and training employers, HR professionals, and managers regarding:

  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Employment agreements and compensation plans
  • Protection of trade secrets
  • Wage and hour laws
  • Independent contractor status
  • Performance standards and disciplinary actions
  • Privacy rights
  • Leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations
  • Preventing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
  • Preventing and responding to theft and embezzlement
  • Reductions in force, terminations, and layoffs
  • Compliance with other state and federal employment laws
  • Employment law due diligence – mergers and acquisitions
  • AB 1825 sexual harassment prevention training and other supervisor best-practices training

Employment Mediation
Based on her many years of experience as an employment attorney and her specialized training and certification from Cornell University’s ILR School in employment mediation, Beth provides trusted and effective mediation services exclusively in the area of employment disputes. She can assist parties in resolving virtually every type of employment dispute – either pre or post-litigation.

Workplace Investigations
Beth is a charter and sustaining member of the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) and has passed the rigorous test to obtain a certificate in workplace investigations from AWI. She conducts independent and neutral workplace investigations for both public and private employers.

Employment Defense
Beth has years of experience representing employers in governmental audits and investigations and defending them in various forms of employment-related litigation in state and federal court, as well as before administrative tribunals.

  • DOL, EEOC, DFEH, DLSE, EDD, CalOSHA, and OFCCP audits, investigations, and appeals
  • Wage and hour claims
  • Harassment, discrimination, retaliation claims
  • Failure to reasonably accommodate claims
  • FMLA/CFRA interference and retaliation claims
  • Breach of contract claims
  • Whistleblowing and wrongful termination claims

Disability Access Defense
Beth has extensive experience representing business owners and operators in ADA and California disability access cases.

  • Representation of businesses in state and federal court
  • Amicus curiae briefs for industry and business clients in important disability access cases before the California Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal

Publications & Teaching Experience
Beth is active in supporting the education of employers and attorneys in the field of employment law.

  • Co-author of the Lexis Nexis/Matthew Bender Treatise entitled, “California Leave Law: A Practical Guide for Employers.”
  • Contributing editor to Chapter 10 (“Harassment”) and Chapter 12 (“Leaves of Absence”) of The Rutter Group’s “California Practice Guide: Employment Litigation.”
  • A regular writer for Weintraub Tobin’s Labor and Employment Law Blog
  • Instructor for UOP, McGeorge School of Law’s CLE course – “Elimination of Bias in the Practice of Law.”
  • A regular speaker and trainer on employment law issues for various organizations in California
  • Former adjunct professor of law at UOP, McGeorge School of Law

Community Involvement and Interests

  • Hope Cooperative, Sacramento, President, Board of Directors
  • Habitat for Humanity Global Village – Mekong Big Build in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2013; Amarente Build in Portugal 2017; Argentina Build 2019.
  • Sacramento Advocates for Girl Empowerment (SAGE) – outreach organization for underprivileged children
  • Weintraub Tobin’s “Champions for Adoption” Team with Sierra Adoption Services (now Sierra Forever Families) to raise money to place foster children in loving adoptive homes
  • Special Spaces volunteer – bedroom buildouts and makeovers for terminally or chronically ill children
  • Former Yolo County Community Services Action Board Member
  • In her free time, Beth enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, running, and spending time with her family and friends

Representative Cases

Below are a few of Beth’s representative cases:

  • Bristow v. Dome Printing (Sacramento County Superior Court and Third District Court of Appeals)
    Obtained summary judgment for the employer and defeated subsequent appeal in age discrimination and FMLA/CFRA violation case.
  • Wilson v. Nimbus Winery (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District)
    Obtained a full defense verdict at trial in an ADA and California disability access case.
  • Vincent v. Grassland Water District (Merced County Superior Court)
    Obtained summary judgment for employer in whistleblowing, retaliation, and wrongful termination case.
  • Spinks v. E. J.’s Pizza (Sacramento County Superior Court)
    Successfully defended and ultimately settled class action wage and hour lawsuit involving claims of unpaid overtime and missed meal and rest periods.
  • Reynolds v. Covell Commons HOA (Yolo County Superior Court)
    Obtained summary judgment for employer in hostile work environment, retaliation, and constructive discharge case.

Industry Experience

  • Agricultural and Post-Harvest Production
  • Banking
  • Car Dealerships
  • Entertainment and New Media
  • High Tech and Solar Companies
  • Manufacturing and Retail
  • Medical Practices
  • Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations
  • Property Management Companies
  • Property Owner Associations
  • Professional Services Companies
  • Restaurants

State Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law Section

State Bar of Washington, Labor and Employment Law Section

Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Litigation Counsel of America
Fellow

Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) – Charter and Sustaining Member; Advocacy Committee Member

Meritas, Sacramento
Member

Hope Cooperative
Board President

Awards

Sacramento Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award, 2023

Northern California Super Lawyers, 2009, 2010, 2012-2023

Top 25: Sacramento Super Lawyers, 2013, 2015 – 2023

Top 50: Women Northern California Super Lawyers, 2014 – 2020, 2022

Top 100: Northern California Super Lawyers, 2015 – 2019

Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2015-2023 – Employment and Labor

Sacramento Business Journal’s Best of the Bar, 2014, 2016 – 2019

J.D., with great distinction, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1999, Order of the Coif

B.S., summa cum laude, California State University, Sacramento, 1994

Certificate in Employment Mediation, Cornell University’s ILR School, 2016

Certificate in Workplace Investigations, AWI 2017

Lizbeth (Beth) West to Speak at 6th Annual SHRM HR Summit

On October 18th, 2022, the Northstate SHRM will host its annual HR Summit, which aims to bring together human resource professionals, office managers, and business owners. This event will cover the best practices for HR professionals in the new work landscape formed following the COVID-19 pandemic. Weintraub shareholder Lizbeth (Beth)…

  • When: Oct 18, 2022
  • Where: 4125 Riverside Place Anderson, CA 96007 United States

Webinar: An In-Depth Look at Attorney-Client Privilege

On Tuesday, June 14, The Litigation Section of the Barristers will present a webinar that aims to provide an in-depth look at attorney-client privilege in employment, white collar, and commercial litigation. Weintraub shareholder Lizbeth (Beth) V. West will speak at the event, alongside Aviva Gilbert of Farella Braun + Martel…

  • When: Jun 14, 2022
  • Where: Webinar

Weintraub Attorneys Present at The Generations Family Business Conference

On May 12 and 13, The Capital Region Family Business Center hosted the Generations Family Business Conference in Sacramento. On day two of the event, Weintraub attorneys  Lizbeth (“Beth”) West, Meagan Bainbridge and Ryan Abernethy presented a case study relating to harassment or misconduct claims against family members in the…

  • When: May 13, 2022
  • Where: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

Webinar: Avoiding the Bully Pulpit – Best Practices for Creating an Inclusive Workplace Free of Bullying and Intimidation

Federal and state OSHA laws require California employers to prevent and respond to violence in the workplace.  Federal and state EEO laws require California employers to prevent and respond to harassment and discrimination in the workplace.  But what about bullying?  What is it? Are employers responsible for preventing it? Is…

  • When: Oct 6, 2021
  • Where: Webinar

Webinar: They Manage Your Workforce and They Can Get You Sued: The Importance of Training Managers and Supervisors to Comply with Employment Law

A supervisor’s action (or inaction) is often what results in liability for an employer. Not because the supervisor necessarily intends to expose an employer to legal liability but merely because the supervisor hasn’t been trained regarding the employer’s legal obligations in relation to its employees. Employers are encouraged to train…

  • When: Aug 4, 2021

Webinar – The Leave Law Matrix Continues to Expand: Understanding Federal, State, and Local Leave Laws and How They Overlap and/or Differ

On May 5, 2021, Weintraub employment attorneys Lizbeth (“Beth”) West and Lukas Clary discussed the complex statutory and regulatory scheme of leave laws under federal and state law. They provided an overview of the laws, explained who is eligible and under what circumstances, and highlighted the particular rights and obligations…

  • When: May 5, 2021
  • Where: Webinar

WEBINAR: Employment Law Update 2020/2021 – Part I & Part II

Summary of Program Our Labor & Employment Group presents our annual Employment Law Update where they discuss important legal developments from 2020 and review a number of new employment laws and relevant court cases impacting employers in 2021 Program Highlights – Part 1 of 2 This part will focus on:…

  • When: Jan 6, 2021
  • Where: Webinar

WEBINAR: Get Ready for 2021 – An Overview of New California Legislation

Lizbeth (“Beth”) West, Shauna Correia, Lukas Clary, and Ryan Abernethy of Weintraub Tobin’s Labor & Employment Group provided an overview of California legislation that employers must be aware of as they go into 2021. This seminar was presented and recorded on December 9, 2020. A recording of this webinar can…

  • When: Dec 9, 2020
  • Where: Webinar

Webinar: Understanding & Navigating the Ever-Expanding Web of Leave Laws

Summary of Program On September 17, 2020 Weintraub attorneys Lizbeth (Beth) V. West and Ryan Abernethy provided an overview of various leave laws. Administering leaves of absence in California can be very challenging.   California has a paid sick leave law and numerous other leave laws, reasonable accommodation laws, and wage…

  • When: Sep 17, 2020
  • Where: Webinar

Webinar – Getting Back to Business: Building Your Net to Minimize Your Risk

On June 3, 2020,  Lizbeth (Beth) V. West was a panelist for the webinar Getting Back to Business: Building your Net to Minimize Risk, hosted by the Capital Region Family Business Center. Summary:A panel of business leaders shared their insights and experiences in bringing employees, vendors, and the public back…

  • When: Jun 3, 2020
  • Where: Zoom – Online

Webinar: Employment Issues Upon Re-Entry to the Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the workplace landscape.  While the anticipated re-opening of the economy is on the horizon, employers must be aware of a number of employment issues when employees begin to re-enter the workplace.  This webinar addresses the most common questions employers are currently asking about what is…

  • When: Apr 30, 2020

Department Of Homeland Security Ends the COVID-19 Temporary Policy For Expired List B Identity Documents

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) adopted a temporary policy in response to the difficulties many individuals experienced with renewing documents.  As part of that temporary policy, employers were permitted to consider expired List B identity documents when completing the Form I-9 (“Employment Eligibility Verification”)…

The EEOC’s New Guidance Says Discrimination Against “Caregivers” May Violate Federal Law

On March 14, 2022, the EEOC released a new technical assistance guidance document entitled “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Caregiver Discrimination Under Federal Employment Discrimination Law.” Essentially, the guidance reiterates that an employer may not discriminate against an applicant or employee under federal law on the basis of protected classes such…