Elizabeth "Lisa"
B. Mori

With a rich legal career spanning three decades, Elizabeth “Lisa” Mori advises both large and small school districts on a range of employment matters, including evaluations, discipline, layoffs, status issues and leaves. As a highly experienced labor relations lawyer and chief negotiator, she advocates for clients in collective bargaining discussions.

Lisa also represents public school agencies in state and federal court proceedings and before myriad administrative organizations. Currently co-chair of the firm’s charter school practice group, she adeptly advises school districts and county boards of education on matters such as petition review, charter renewal and revocation actions, facilities issues and oversight.

Superintendents and high-level cabinet administrators seek Lisa’s advice on a range of legal and non-legal issues, and she’s gratified to help them think through long- and short-term strategies. She provides their boards and staff with training and advice on a full spectrum of issues, including effective and collaborative governance, board policies, conflicts of interest and compliance with relevant legislation such as the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. Certified in both traditional and interest-based bargaining training, Lisa passes along her insights in the California Teachers Association’s Interest-Based Bargaining Program.

Lisa’s diverse experience handling legal issues make her uniquely positioned to effectively counsel agencies today. Previously, she worked in private practice advising school districts and county offices of education in civil litigation. She also advocated for Fortune 500 and other corporate clients in products liability and complex environmental and toxic tort litigations. Additionally, her knowledge in special education due process hearings, labor and employment issues, transactions and tax and bond measures gives her a wide-angle perspective and greatly enhances her ability to help clients optimally resolve any problem or dispute that comes their way.

A mother of two kids who went through California’s public school system, Lisa sat on their school’s PTA executive board and volunteered extensively in the classroom and at school functions. This ground-level familiarity with the educational system makes her an even more effective attorney. Clients appreciate Lisa’s congenial, relatable manner, her ease in forming personal connections, and her passion for helping them serve students and shape the future in positive ways.