Judy Keyes partners with clients to navigate the complex system of laws and regulations that govern the California workplace. She is recognized for her "out-of-the-box" thinking and her ability to solve complex human resource and labor relations problems in effective and efficient ways. She is thorough and thoughtful in her analysis of workplace disputes.
Judy is an accomplished mediator, negotiator, advocate, investigator, trainer, and coach. She counsels clients on how to: conduct investigations in fulfillment of legal requirements; avoid and respond to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims; comply with wage and hour laws; grant and limit periods of time off; and reduce and reorganize staff to meet business goals. She advocates for her clients in all dispute resolution settings, including mediation, arbitration, agency proceedings, and state and federal court. She represents employers in union-related matters, including NLRB proceedings, grievance handling, and contract negotiations.
Practice Highlights
Successful dispute resolver
Trusted advisor
Effective advocate
Admitted to Practice
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California, 1975
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1996
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1975
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1977
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U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1993
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2014
Education
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J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 1975
- Order of the Coif
- California Law Review
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M.A., Linguistics, University of Missouri, 1970
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B.S., English Education, The Pennsylvania State University, 1966, with distinction
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Women of Excellence Committee, Senior Lawyer Division, American Bar Association, 2023-2024
- Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Law Section International Committee, American Bar Association, 2023-2025
- Track Coordinator, American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section Annual Meeting, 2010-2011; Speaker, 2014
- ADR Local Rules Attorney Advisory Committee, U.S. District Court Northern District of California, San Francisco, 2019-2022
- Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Association of Workplace Investigators, 2015-2017
- Treasurer and Board Member, Nob Hill Association and Nob Hill Foundation, 2013-present
- Trustee and Committee Chair, Grace Cathedral, 2008-2017
- Executive Committee Member, 1994-2011; Chair, 1998-1999, Bar Association of San Francisco, Labor and Employment Section
- Board Member and Officer, 1992-1998; President, 1997, Alameda County Bar Association
- Lawyer Representative, 9th Circuit Judicial Conference, 1999-2001
- Advisory Board, Center for Social Justice, University of California Berkeley Law School, 2006-2016
- Contributing Editor, California Employment Law Letter, a BLR publication, 2019-2020
Professional Recognition
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- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Labor and Employment (California), 2003-2024
- Selected by Best Lawyers as San Francisco's "Lawyer of the Year" in Employment, 2023
- Selected by Best Lawyers as San Francisco's "Lawyer of the Year" in Bankruptcy Litigation, 2023
- Selected by Best Lawyers as San Francisco's "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2016
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Litigation - Labor and Employment Law and Employment Law - Management by Best Lawyers, 2001-present
- Selected to "Northern California Super Lawyers" in Employment and Labor Law, Thomson Reuters, 2006-2022
- Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, elected 2001
- Received the "Willard J. Wright Award for Outstanding Civic Activity," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2017
- Named of one "San Francisco's Top AV Rated Lawyers" by Martindale-Hubbell, 2015
- Rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, with Peer Review of 5.0
Background
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- Certified Legal Project Manager
- Mediator and Neutral Evaluator, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1980-present
- Adjunct Professor, Labor Law and Evidence, Suffolk University Law School, 1986-1987
- High School Teacher, English, James B. Conant High School, 1966-1967