Carolyn G. Burnette
Carolyn G. Burnette is office managing principal of the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents employers in complex employment litigation, workplace investigations, and other high-stakes workplace matters. As a member of the firm's Board of Directors, Carolyn brings unique insight into the legal and business challenges facing employers in today's rapidly evolving workplace. With more than 20 years of experience, she provides strategic, practical counsel to help employers manage risk and address sensitive employment issues.
Carolyn's practice includes employment litigation, workplace investigations, and strategic advice and counsel. She has handled matters involving allegations against executives, elected officials, attorneys, medical providers, and other senior personnel, where discretion, sound judgment, and a thoughtful approach are essential. Carolyn regularly advises employers on disability accommodations, leaves of absence, workplace harassment, whistleblower concerns, and other complex workplace issues.
Prior to practicing law, Carolyn spent more than a decade in business management and contract negotiations. Her business background provides valuable perspective on the operational challenges employers face and informs her practical, business-focused approach to counseling employers. She works closely with clients to develop solutions that align legal strategies with organizational objectives while helping them navigate sensitive workplace matters with confidence and clarity.
ADR
Carolyn has served as an employment and commercial law arbitration panelist with the American Arbitration Association (AAA). She also is experienced in private mediations. In 2015, Carolyn was selected by AAA to be a Leon Higginbotham Fellow – a program that looks to ensure the future excellence of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Fellows are chosen for their exceptional work and commitment to becoming mediation and arbitration leaders. Carolyn’s extensive training in ADR includes the AAA Essential Mediation Skills Program (40 hours), the AAA Higginbotham Fellowship Mediation/Arbitration Program (40 hours), AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices Program (16 hours), the AAA Award Writing and Clarity in Award Writing Courses, and the U.S. District Court – Eastern District of California Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program Training.
Honors and Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America©, “Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management” (2023)
- The Best Lawyers in America©, “Employment Law – Management” (2021-present), “Labor Law – Management” (2023-present) and “Litigation – Labor and Employment” (2023-present)
- Sacramento Magazine, “Top Lawyers in Sacramento” (2021)
Published Works
- “Chipping Away at the Enforceability of Class Waivers Requiring Arbitration of Employment Claims,” American Bar Association Section of Litigation ADR Newsletter, Summer 2016, Vol. 20, No. 4 (August 22, 2016) [Author]
- “Future Wages May Be Recovered By Employees Who Detrimentally Rely on Pre-Employment Promises,” The Daily Recorder (June 1, 2005) [Co-Author]
- “U.S. Supreme Court Reins in ADA Disability Claims,” The Daily Recorder 92.39 (February 27, 2002) [Co-Author]
- “Wage Hour Questions Not Answered in the Labor Code,” The Daily Recorder 92.11 (January 16, 2002) [Co-Author]
- “Title VII Protections Expand to Include Gender Discrimination,” The Daily Recorder 91.241 (December 12, 2001) [Co-Author]
- “Employment Law Cases Pending Before the California Supreme Court,” The Daily Recorder 91.182 (September 19, 2001) [Co-Author]
- “State Has New Ways to Forfeit Exemptions from Overtime,” The Daily Recorder 91.118 (June 20, 2001) [Co-Author]
- “Employment Arbitration Agreements: Making Them Stick,” Legal Resources (Wilson, Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, 1999) [Co-Author]
- “Affirmative Action Programs: OFCCP Enforcement Agenda Update (Part 2),” ALI-ABA Course Materials Journal 22.6 (December 1998) [Co-Author]
- “Affirmative Action Programs: OFCCP Enforcement Agenda Update (Part 1),” ALI-ABA Course Materials Journal 22.5 (October 1998) [Co-Author]
Insights & news
