INTRODUCING

Carl A. Botterud is Of Counsel at Ritt, Tai, Thvedt & Hodges, LLP in Pasadena. His practice focuses on independent workplace investigations and conflict resolution. Mr. Botterud conducts investigations responding to allegations of civil rights violations, misconduct, or breaches of policy in workplace and educational settings. Mr. Botterud also serves as a mediator, focusing on employment disputes. Before returning to his firm, Mr. Botterud served as General Counsel at Occidental College, before which he had his own practice, representing employees in civil rights matters, including harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and failure to accommodate disabilities. He also served as an adjunct professor of law at Whittier Law School where he taught classes that included Evidence, Trial Advocacy, Corporations and a Professional Responsibility Practicum.

Mr. Botterud is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators, Southern California Mediation Association, California Employment Lawyers Association, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. His community engagements include past service as a trustee of Occidental College, the Waverly School, and the Pasadena YMCA. Mr. Botterud is a past chair of the Access to Justice Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and a past president of Equal Justice Works in Washington D.C.

Mr. Botterud received an A.B. in Political Science from Occidental College and a J.D. from Whittier Law School.

Samson R. Elsbernd is an attorney at Wilke Fleury in Sacramento, California. With an emphasis in employment law representing employers, Mr. Elsbernd represents clients in administrative matters and civil litigation, and advises clients regarding day-to-day employment issues, including hiring, terminations, leave, reasonable accommodations and wage and hour matters.