About Denisha

Denisha P. McKenzie defends employers in all areas of labor and employment law in state and federal court, as well as before various administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). McKenzie's practice has a special emphasis on vigorously defending alleged claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. A significant portion of her practice is also dedicated to defending wage and hour single plaintiff, class action, and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits.

McKenzie has successfully resolved a number of employment claims on summary judgment, including having a complete dismissal affirmed on appeal. As part of her trial experience, she has managed expert witness reporting and testimony, developed overall defense strategy, and conducted direct and cross- examinations of several key witnesses.

McKenzie also provides proactive advice, counsel and training to management on emerging employment issues in California to ensure compliance with its ever-changing laws and regulations. This includes drafting policies, employee handbooks, and policy manuals regarding leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, occupational safety and health, and several other statutorily-mandated requirements. She also regularly drafts employment contracts, as well as severance, settlement, and arbitration agreements.

McKenzie is a formidable advocate for advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal industry, as well as her local community. She has authored several articles on diversity and inclusion, and regularly assists management with developing effective action plans to achieve a diverse and inclusive workplace. She is the Immediate Past President of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association of Orange County and the recipient of the 2019 Legal Trailblazer Award from the Black Law Student’s Association of the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Areas of Practice

  • EEO Litigation
  • Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
  • Wage and Hour Issues
  • Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
  • Internal Investigations
  • PAGA Litigation
  • Class Actions

Education

University of California, Irvine School of Law, J.D. 2012

  • Pro Bono Honors
  • Member of Inaugural Class
  • Co-Founded the Orange County Human Rights Association (OCHRA)
  • Co-Author of Inaugural Issue of the UC Irvine Law Review

Tufts University, B.A. 2009

  • Honos Civicus

Presentations

Co-Presenter, Strafford Management, October 2024

Students for Fair Admissions One Year Later: Advising Employer Clients on DEI Programs; Title VII and Muldrow Effect

Co-Presenter, Stafford Management, October 2023

Employer DEI Initiatives: Students for Fair Admissions and its Aftermath

Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, May 2021

Top 10 Employment Concerns for CA Employers Related to Returning to Work and COVID Vaccinations

ProVisors OCC, March 2021

COVID-Related Wage and Hour Issues

Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, March 2021

Developments, Updates and Predictions on Trade Secret and Non-Compete Laws for 2021

ProVisors OCC Group, March 2020

Remote Timekeeping and Gender Pay Data Reporting

Co-Presenter, CDF COVID Education Week, December 2020

COVID-19 Related Wage and Hour Issues

Panel Member, UC Irvine School of Law - Summit II, October 2016

The Complexities & Opportunities: Achieving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Law Schools and the Legal Profession

June 2016

Business Compliance with California’s Rigorous Employment Laws

September 2015

Compliance with EEOC’s Guidelines on the Use of Conviction Records

July 2015

Joint Employer Liability for Employers of Temporary Workers in California

January 2015

Employment Discrimination Update: Recognition and Elimination of Bias

December 2014

2014 Update for California Employers

October 2011

16th Annual LatCrit Conference, Avoiding the Pitfalls of Tradition

Recognitions

Listed, Best Lawyers® in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment Law, Irvine, 2024

Listed, Best Lawyers® "Ones to Watch," Litigation - Labor and Employment Law, Irvine, 2023

President, Thurgood Marshall Bar Association, Orange County

  • Immediate Past President, 2019
  • President, 2018
  • President-Elect, 2017
  • Vice President, 2016

Listed, Super Lawyers Southern California - Rising Star, 2018 - 2022

Member, The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2022

CDF Labor Law LLP

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, 2021 - Present

Alumni Representative, University of California Irvine School of Law, Inclusion and Diversity Committee, 2016 - 2017

Recipient, Trail Blazer Award, University of California, Irvine School of Law, Black Law Student's Association, 2019

Best Lawyers Award Badge
Denisha P. McKenzie
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Civic Activities

Board of Directors, One Voice, 2023

Board of Directors, Family Support Network, 2016 - 2019

News

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