Kerry Garvis Wright

Employment Litigation

Century City

Kerry Garvis Wright's legal career began in 1992 as a litigator in Chicago. Her early years were marked by the opportunity to first-chair several trials, providing her with invaluable experience.

In 1999, Wright embarked on a new chapter by moving to Los Angeles and joining Glaser Weil's litigation group, where Patty Glaser has since served as a mentor. Within three years, Wright was named partner.

Ten years ago, she shifted her concentration to employment law and subsequently founded and chaired the firm's employment practice.

"I was drawn to employment law because of the interpersonal dynamics and psychology at play that are not often present in commercial litigation," Wright explained. "It is also a field where I can strategize closely with the client to try to avoid or solve complex problems before there is litigation."

Recently, in separate cases, she has represented Kelly Brack Jamison and Dr. Jennifer Walske, accomplished women who faced gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Jamison has claims against her former employer, global placement and organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, for wrongful termination, gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Walske a former UCLA Anderson School of Management adjunct professor, is the plaintiff in a case against the Regents of the University of California and others for gender discrimination and harassment and retaliation for having participated in a Title IX investigation and making other reports of the University's unlawful conduct.

"I am lucky to work in a law firm that has one of the most powerful female lawyers at the helm and many more gifted and successful female lawyers across the firm, such that gender equity often does not reach my consciousness," Wright said. "I take it for granted. By representing Ms. Brack Jamison and Dr. Walske, I feel that, regardless of the outcome of their cases, I can shine even a little light on gender inequity and other biases."

She added that much of her work can be extremely sensitive and highly charged, whether it is representing a potential defendant facing sexual harassment allegations or a plaintiff in a wrongful termination case.

"It can be challenging, but in the end incredibly rewarding, to help the client work through and manage those extra-legal issues and to provide advice beyond pure legal advice," Wright said.