Message From the Chair

By Thomas A. Lenz

Thomas Lenz is a partner in the Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo law firm (Cerritos and Pasadena offices). He advises and represents employers on labor and employment law. He attended Marquette University (B.A.) and Louisiana State University Law Center (J.D.). He began his career with National Labor Relations Board Region 21 (Los Angeles). He teaches at the USC GouldSchool of Law. Serving the Section since 2012, he hasparticipated in conferences and presentations as well as programming and appearances on the Your Legal Rights radio show (KALW-FM 91.7 San Francisco and www.kalw.org) on topics of workplace law.

My 15-year old daughter, Haley, and I were in the car on an errand. I told her I had to write an article about something in the workplace. Curious to know her thoughts, I asked what she would write about. She replied, "Sexual harassment—or not stealing other people’s pens."

Haley, and my 16-year old daughter Hannah, will one day enter the workforce. So will their classmates. So will children you know. They are watching the news. They are watching our reactions. They are wondering what their opportunities and challenges will be. What will become of their rights when something goes wrong? Will they be protected?