she/her

Menaka Fernando

Partner

My Legal Practice

Many of my clients are facing one of the most difficult times in their lives, one where they've lost their agency and power. I help them take back power and hold their employer accountable.

I focus much of my practice on gender-based issues, including workplace sexual harassment and assault and employees who have experienced retaliation for reporting it.

I also represent individuals who have been treated unfairly based on their family medical leave issues and caregiving responsibilities, particularly new parents returning from parental leave. I work with a lot of employees in various industries, including finance and tech, who have returned from parental leave and see their otherwise stellar career trajectory stunted.

This is especially true of women in leadership positions; there’s still the stereotype that if you’re not willing to deprioritize family you’re not worthy of advancing your career. Not only can this be a violation of employment law, but as a mother myself, I refuse to subscribe to a culture where this is the case.

I also take on cases where people are discriminated against for their race, national origin, sexuality, gender identity, or physical or mental disability or other protected characteristics.

In every situation I align my representation with my client’s life experiences, particularly where they have suffered intersectional harms.

Notable Matters

Represented an Uber employee who was sexually harassed and decided to come forward after whistleblower Susan Fowler highlighted widespread gender inequality at the company.
Represented a female production assistant in sexual assault and harassment claims against filmmaker Paul Schraeder.
Represented a group of waitresses who were aggressively harassed by the chef of a high-profile Los Angeles restaurant.
Represented a production coordinator who was sexually harassed by the division head of a major media and entertainment studio.
Represented a female assistant who was sexually harassed and assaulted by a high-profile film writer and director.
Represented groups of employees who were unlawfully laid off by major tech companies.
Represented several female executives at major tech companies who were terminated due to parental leave.

Credentials

B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of Law
Admitted to practice in California
Admitted to The United States District Courts for the Northern District of California, Central District of California; and Eastern District of California
Board member of the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization of over 1300 lawyers dedicated to representing employees in California
Co-chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association Legislative Committee, helping to strengthen the state’s laws protecting workers
Board Member of Equality Action Center, a non-profit that strives to advance racial, gender, and class equality in the workplace
Extensive experience litigating employment matters in state and federal court, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

“I’ve never had two clients with the same mentality or objectives. My goal is always to listen, and help each person define what it means to take their power back.”

Menaka Fernando

My Story

When I was 7-years-old, my family and I moved from Sri Lanka to Los Angeles. There was a civil war in Sri Lanka and tremendous economic uncertainty, so my parents took the leap and moved to the U.S. for a better life.

Growing up I thought I’d be a journalist. I always loved history, politics, and telling stories. But I soon realized I wanted to have more of a direct impact on people’s lives. As an immigrant, I was always drawn to civil and human rights issues so I went to law school.

I then worked at several prominent civil rights and employment firms in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. After winning multiple trial victories and representing dozens of clients, I was drawn to a career in employment litigation, where I could help workers restore the dignity that was wrongfully stripped from them.

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