Jennifer L. Liu

A San Jose native who received a law degree and an MBA from Stanford University, Liu is managing partner of her namesake law firm in Menlo Park.

"We have established ourselves as one of the go-to firms representing employees in Silicon Valley," Liu said. "We represent all kinds of employees, in all kinds of industries, but because of our location in Menlo Park and my background in business and finance, we do frequently represent executives and professionals in technology and financial services."

The Liu Law Firm has negotiated many settlements in discrimination cases involving wages, sexual harassment, gender, race, pregnancy and sexual orientation.

"It's easy in times like these to feel like we are all helpless to change these enormous problems facing our country, like racism and sexual harassment. I love that being an advocate for employees gives me a way to make a difference, even if it is just one client or one company at a time."

In January, a Sacramento County judge granted preliminary approval of a $2.8 million settlement in a discrimination case brought on behalf of current and former Raley's supermarket workers in California. Borrego, et al. v. Raley's 34-2015-00177687, (Sacramento Super. Ct. filed April 9, 2015).

Plaintiffs Lucianna Borrego and Kirsten Kelly said that they were placed on leave when they sought accommodations relating to their pregnancies.

Other Raley's employees also alleged they were denied reasonable accommodations on similar grounds. Liu served as one of the lead attorneys.

"We thank Lucianna Borrego, Kirsten Kelly, and our other plaintiffs for their courage and determination in bringing this case forward," Liu wrote in a January news release announcing the settlement. "We also applaud Raley's for its commitment to making sure pregnant workers are able to keep working when they can do so with accommodation."

A final approval hearing is scheduled for July 17.

More than 300 women who worked at a Raley's, Bel Air, Food Source or Nob Hill Foods supermarket in California will be eligible for settlement payments.

Liu also served as co-lead attorney in a case where plaintiffs alleged U.S. Bank failed to reimburse mortgage loan officers and small business specialists for business expenses. Pena et al. v. US Bancorp et al. CGC-17-556646 (S. F. Super. Ct. filed Jan. 23, 2017),

After a more than a year of litigation, the parties agreed to settle for $2.5 million. In March 2019, the court granted final approval of the deal, which benefited nearly 1,000 employees in California.

-- Karen Weil