Jacqueline M. Litra

With a passion for creating safe, diverse and inclusive work and educational environments, Jacqueline M. “Jacqui” Litra advises school districts on a range of personnel matters. She applies her deep and broad knowledge of Title IX matters to help clients address concerns and take risk-minimizing and proactive steps. She also conducts investigations into sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and employee behavioral or financial misconduct.

As one of the leaders of the firm’s labor and employment practice group, Jacqui contributes keen insight to her guidance in employee dismissals and leaves, disability accommodations, hiring practices and discipline matters. Additionally, she directs clients in student and board governance and policy issues such as education equity, student rights, free speech questions and conflicts, open meetings and public records requests.

Jacqui’s comprehensive background includes advocating in labor and employment litigation, where she represents clients in state and federal court on employment discrimination and First Amendment claims. She also handles discrimination and retaliation claims before California Civil Rights Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). On the labor side of her practice, Jacqui negotiates collective bargaining agreements using both traditional and interest-based bargaining models, represents clients in grievance arbitrations and defends districts against unfair labor practice charges.

Drawing on her academic studies of psychology and her understanding of human behavior, Jacqui advises and educates clients on several fraught and sensitive subjects. She offers clear explanations to people based on their particular perspectives and instructs administrators and others on issues such as recognizing implicit bias, implementing trauma informed practices, and conducting fair and effective student and employee discipline.

Jacqui has delivered hundreds of client training sessions on Title IX regulations, implementing policies consistent with the requirements of those regulations, setting and communicating employee conduct expectations, and investigating and addressing workplace sexual harassment. She leads clients in implementing supportive measures, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices, particularly in the student arena, to improve school responses to receiving reports and supporting students involved in traumatic events including students subjected to sexual assault.

Providing excellent, people-centered legal advice, Jacqui is pleased to help clients pursue paths towards a more compassionate and equitable future. As she puts it, she wants to be known for doing everything she can to change the world a little bit at a time.