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, workplace accommodations, and leaves. As a highly experienced labor relations lawyer and chief negotiator, she regularly advocates for clients in collective bargaining discussions and is currently chair of the firm’s labor and employment practice group.

Superintendents and high-level cabinet administrators seek Lisa’s advice on a wide range of legal and non-legal issues, and she’s gratified to help them think through long- and short-term strategies to resolve often complex issues. She also provides boards and staff with advice and training on a full spectrum of matters, 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 regularly represents public school agencies in state and federal court proceedings and before myriad administrative organizations. As former co-chair of the firm’s charter schools practice group, she also advises school districts and county boards of education on matters such as petition review, charter renewal and revocation actions, facilities issues, and oversight.

Lisa’s diverse experience handling legal issues makes 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 represented Fortune 500 and other corporate clients in products liability and complex environmental and toxic tort litigation. Additionally, her knowledge in such diverse areas as special education due process hearings, labor and employment, contracts and tax and bond measures give 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.