Christine Baran is a partner in the firm’s Irvine and Los Angeles offices where her practice is devoted to litigating employment related disputes. Christine’s diverse practice includes litigating cases involving discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour claims (both individual and collective actions), unfair business practices, whistleblower claims, workplace violence and wrongful discharge. She represents employers in both state and federal court as well as before state and federal agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). Along with her litigation work, Christine counsels clients regarding appropriate handling of disciplinary matters, employee terminations, internal investigations, the development of preventive policies and procedures, compliance with state and federal laws relating to wages, leaves of absences, harassment and discrimination. In addition, she regularly conducts compliance and management training and frequently lectures on employment issues for trade groups and associations as well as private employers. View Christine’s full bio here.

Barbara DuVan-Clarke is dedicated to fighting for the rights of California’s employees in both individual and class/PAGA cases. As a working mom, Barbara has a particular passion for vindicating the rights of women who have suffered discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Barbara was also co-counsel on Young v. Department of Public Social Services/County of Los Angeles, et al, a retaliation/whistleblower case, and obtained the 7th highest employment law verdict in California in 2022. Presently, Barbara and her team focus on litigating class and PAGA actions on behalf of thousands of California employees who have been denied meal and rest periods, denied fair compensation, and other Labor Code violations. Barbara and her team are driven by a strong desire for justice and dedication to employee rights.
Demonstrative of her dedication to workers’ rights, Ms. DuVan-Clarke was the inaugural Chair of the CELA Women’s Committee, was the Co-Chair of the CELA Mentor Committee, and is a member of the CELA Elimination of Bias in the Judiciary Committee, as well as a member of CAALA and LEFTJAW.
Ms. DuVan-Clarke obtained her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 2007, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA in 2003. Barbara enjoys spending time with her two fantastic children and her supportive husband, watching Dodgers games, and reading autobiographies.

Susan Garea is a partner at Beeson, Tayer & Bodine in Oakland, California, where she focuses on representing unions and workers. She is a member of the California State Bar (2008) and is admitted to practice before the California District Courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth and D.C. Circuits. She is a former Member of the Board of Directors, AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee. She received a B.A. from Northwestern University in 2001 with majors in African-American Studies and Economics. She received her J.D. in 2008 from University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law, and is a graduate of David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy and with a concentration in Critical Race Studies. Her previous work experience includes Associate attorney, Gilbert & Sackman (2008-2010) and elementary school teacher (2001-2005).