Leslie Wallis has represented employers in all aspects of employment law. Leslie joined Ogletree Deakins in 2007 as part of the merger of Ogletree Deakins and Lewis Fisher Henderson & Claxton. Leslie also served as in-house counsel at a financial institution representing the bank in a broad range of litigation matters, including trial work as well as monitoring outside counsel for the bank as both plaintiff and defendant. Leslie was also “loaned” to a large entertainment company for nearly a year as temporary in-house employment counsel and has a breadth of knowledge about the industry contributing to her advice and training for entertainment industry clients. Leslie now focuses her practice on advice and counsel for client across all industries advising on a broad range of employment issues and auditing, drafting and advising on employment policies and procedures. She performs workplace investigations and Leslie also spends significant time providing training in the areas of harassment, discrimination, diversity and inclusion, California laws and policies, workplace investigations and wage and hours issues. She also trains on wellness in the workplace.
Leslie’s areas of expertise includes employee leaves of absence and the integration of various California leaves, reasonable accommodation, discrimination and harassment, RIFs and WARN, state and local wage and hour laws, pay data reporting and pay transparency, California COVID related laws and regulations, performance management of employees and hiring, discipline and terminations in California.
Leslie is a member of the California Advice Group and the Ogletree Learning Solutions team of trainers.
Prior to beginning her legal career, Leslie studied with the Royal Ballet in London, England and then earned her Bachelor’s degree in ballet at Indiana University. Following her career as a ballet dancer in the U.S. and abroad she returned to California to study law at UCLA.
Leslie was an associate editor of the UCLA Law Review and a judicial extern to the Honorable Harry Pregerson on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.