Gina Browne

Early in life, Browne knew she wanted to protect the vulnerable.

Her kindergarten class included twin classmates who were too shy to talk to adults.

"So, I became their spokesperson and made sure they were able to communicate with the teacher through me," Browne said.

A partner at Feldman Browne Olivares in Los Angeles, Browne said she takes pride "in changing this balance of power."

"Most of our clients come to us feeling powerless and victimized by an unaccountable corporation or an abusive, vindictive or harassing boss," she said. "The best part of what I do is working with my clients to tell their story and, in the process, seeing them regain their confidence and reclaim their voice."

Browne, a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association's legislative committee, said she's working "to address some of the unanticipated areas that have come up in employment due to the pandemic, such as reasonable accommodations for persons who are more susceptible to the virus, and health and safety issues in the workplace."

"We have also seen employers taking advantage of the situation and using the pandemic as an excuse to rid themselves of disabled or older workers," Browne said.

-- Karen Weil