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Erika M. Barbara

(She/Her)
Principal
Sacramento
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Erika M. Barbara is a principal in the Sacramento, California office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has dedicated her career to helping employers navigate the complexities of California’s workplace laws. With more than two decades of experience litigating and advising employers, Erika serves as a trusted advisor to clients and prioritizes preventive legal strategies, client service and relationship-building.

At the heart of Erika’s practice is her dedication to preventive legal strategies. She strives to become a trusted partner for her clients, equipping them with practical tools and clear advice to address workplace issues and foster compliant and productive workplaces. Erika’s preventive approach was honed during her time spent litigating all manner of employment cases, from single plaintiff harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination cases to wage and hour class actions and PAGA claims. Her litigation experience guides her work when she is advising clients on workplace issues, conducting handbook reviews, and delivering training programs. Her ability to translate intricate legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance, with an eye towards preventing litigation, make her a valued partner to employers both small and large.

Erika previously served as senior employment law counsel at the California Chamber of Commerce, where she furthered her commitment to preventative legal strategies by educating and providing guidance to employers across the state through the Labor Law Helpline, compliance publications, seminars, webinars, and trainings.

Throughout her career, Erika has been committed to the highest standards of client service, combining legal expertise with a proactive, solutions oriented approach. Erika prides herself on her responsiveness, clarity, and dedication to her clients and she understands that employers value timely, practical solutions tailored to their unique business needs.

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

  • Empower Yolo, Former Board Member
  • Robert E. Willett Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, Former Board Member 

Published Works

  • “Gimme A Break: California Meal and Rest Break Requirements,” HRCalifornia Extra (December 4, 2025) [Author].
  • “How to Figure Reimbursement Rate,” HR Watchdog (November 14, 2025) [Author]
  • “New H-1B Visa Fee Faces Legal Challenges,” HR Watchdog (October 23, 2025) [Author]
  • “New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas,” HR Watchdog (September 25, 2025) [Author]
  • “Coworker’s Off-Duty Conduct Wasn’t Harassment But Employer’s Response May Be,” HRCalifornia Extra (September 18, 2025) [Author]
  • “Victims’ Leave 2025 Updates Created New Obligations, Expanded Others,” HR Watchdog (July 29, 2025) [Author]
  • “Denying Request to Work Remote Not Discrimination If Employee Doesn’t Have a Disability,” HRCalifornia Extra (July 24, 2025) [Author]
  • “How Does Court Vacating EEOC Guidance on Gender Identity Affect California Employers,” HR Watchdog (May 28, 2025) [Author]
  • “California Supreme Court Grants Review in Second ‘Headless’ PAGA Case,” HR Watchdog (May 19, 2025) [Author]
  • “Cannabis Use in California: What Employers Need to Know,” HRCalifornia Extra (May 8, 2025) [Author]
  • “Untimely ‘Headless’ PAGA Action Dismissed,” HR Watchdog (May 6, 2025) [Author]
  • “California Supreme Court to Consider Use of ‘Headless’ PAGA Actions,” HR Watchdog (April 21, 2025) [Author]
  • “Labor Code’s Requirement to Reimburse Work Expenses Not Applicable to Public Employers,” HR Watchdog (April 9, 2025) [Author]
  • “A Roadmap for Navigating Family and Medical Leave,” HRCalifornia Extra (March 27, 2025) [Author]
  • “Another Court Addresses Arbitration of ‘Headless’ PAGA Cases,” HR Watchdog (March 12, 2025) [Author]
  • “10 Frequently Asked Questions About California Paid Sick Leave,” HRCalifornia Extra (February 27, 2025) [Author]
  • “Making Sense of Minimum Wage Requirements,” HR Watchdog (February 26, 2025) [Author]
  • “Court Rejects Use of ‘Headless’ PAGA Cases,” HR Watchdog (January 21, 2025) [Author]
  • “What to Expect When Your Employee Is Expecting: Managing Pregnancies in the Workplace,” HRCalifornia Extra (December 19, 2024) [Author]
  • “Reasonable Accommodations: Meeting Your Employer Obligations,” HRCalifornia Extra (October 31, 2024) [Author]
  • “Exempt Employee Salary Deductions: Proceed with Caution,” HR Watchdog (October 16, 2024) [Author]
  • “On-Boarding Activities: Best to Wait for Employee’s First Day of Work,” HR Watchdog (September 11, 2024 [Author]
  • “No Right to Intervene, Object to PAGA Settlement,” HR Watchdog (August 26, 2024) [Author]
  • “Employee’s Harassing Instagram Posts Can Create a Hostile Work Environment,” HRCalifornia Extra (August 22, 2024) [Author]
  • “Four Steps in Assessing Wage and Hour Compliance in California,” HRCalifornia Extra (May 23, 2024) [Author]

Speeches

  • “HR Boot Camp Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California, multiple sessions in 2025 and 2024) (presenter).
  • “Leaves of Absence Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California multiple sessions in 2025 and 2024) (presenter).
  • “Conducting California Workplace Investigations Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California August 2025) (presenter).
  • “2025 Mid-Year Employment Law Update Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California August 2025) (presenter).
  • “Supervisor Essentials: Workplace Compliance Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California July 2025) (presenter).
  • “California Meal and Rest Break Rules Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California June 2025) (presenter).
  • “Revisiting Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program for 2025 Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California May 2025) (presenter).
  • “What To Expect When Your Employee Is Expecting: PDL And Child-Bonding Leave Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California April 2025) (presenter).
  • “Filling In The Gaps: Pitfalls In Hiring And Onboarding New Employees Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California March 2025) (presenter).
  • “2025 Employment Law Updates Seminar and Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento, California (multiple sessions in January 2025) (presenter)

Credentials

Education
University of San Francisco School of Law
J.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A.
Admitted to Practice
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
California - C.D. Cal.
California - E.D. Cal.
California - N.D. Cal.
California - S.D. Cal.
California
Professional Associations and Activities
California Lawyers Association (CLA)
State Bar of California

University of San Francisco School of Law
J.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A.

9th Circuit Court of Appeals
California - C.D. Cal.
California - E.D. Cal.
California - N.D. Cal.
California - S.D. Cal.
California

California Lawyers Association (CLA)
State Bar of California