Elissa Gysi represents employers ranging from national companies to closely held businesses in managing their workforces, minimizing litigation risks, and fighting employment claims.
She assists with all phases of employment disputes, from early settlement, to arbitration or jury trial, to appeals, defending employers facing claims of sexual harassment, disability discrimination, and wage and hour violations. Elissa has experience at all state and federal court levels, including the California Supreme Court, and has achieved numerous favorable outcomes in arbitration. Additionally, she appears before federal and state administrative agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She also advises on litigation prevention, employment and termination agreements, handbooks, and policies.
Elissa navigates the complex regulations facing national, regional, and local employers in California. Clients rely on her for all types of day-to-day guidance, whether it’s best practices for an employee termination, guidance on high-stakes employment decisions, or assistance in responding to a formal complaint or lawsuit.
Elissa is experienced in the defense of Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits against California employers. Her clients span regulated businesses and employers in sectors including communications, construction, health care, retail, hospitality, and banking.
While attending Stanford Law School, Elissa was an extern for the Hon. Alex Kozinski, former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
- Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by terminated employee alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and wrongful termination; prevailed in arbitration.
- Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination; prevailed in arbitration.
- Prevailed for a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging age discrimination and retaliation.
- Represented a large employer in an appeal before the California Supreme Court to defend the enforceability of the company’s employment arbitration policy.
- Successfully brought over 75 motions to compel arbitration of pending FEHA, class action, and PAGA claims in state courts.
- Assisted over 50 employers, including national retail companies, construction companies, health care providers, and restaurants in litigating and resolving representative PAGA actions.
- Assisted a regional Southern California bank with management, investigation, and resulting employee termination relating to sexual harassment and other misconduct allegations.
- Review and revise over 30 handbooks per year for clients, ranging from 5 to 5,000 employees, to ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws.
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2025
- Los Angeles Times Inspirational Women, 2024
- Los Angeles Business Journal Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys, 2023
I spend most of my non-working time taking care of my three amazing kids. I love cooking, hiking, travel, and jigsaw puzzles and am an avid Harry Potter fan.