WE HAVE A VISION
Ferber Law provides legal representation and expert guidance on Employment, Labor, Business, Construction and Real Estate Law. We offer a personal, holistic approach to your individual and business goals to deliver the ideal solution for you. Our active and practical approach ensures our clients understand their legal options and are empowered to fulfill their requirements according to California law.
our
mission
Our mission at Ferber Law is to provide the vital legal assistance, support and training your business needs to function efficiently and productively while meeting all relevant legal requirements. Our goal is to get to know your business like you do, in order to provide accurate, honest and expert advice that delivers the best solution to your problems.
PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES
Learn more about our professional legal services and how we can serve your company.
View All Services
about
us
Integrity – We believe that honesty and respect are the best ways to build trust with our clients. We exemplify this by getting to truly know and understand your business so we always represent your best interests.
Committed – We believe that commitment is a key component of any successful partnership. That’s why our team of expert attorneys is always here to provide you with the best service – whether it’s as simple as answering a question about an employee situation, or coordinating a complete plan and approach to litigation.
Tenacious – We believe that strength, endurance and diligence is critical to legal success. Our expert knowledge, determination and motivation to achieve the best possible results exemplifies this belief, and has helped us achieve ideal outcomes for employers and businesses across California.
Community – At Ferber Law, we believe in giving back, strengthening and supporting the community we are a part of. Our team embodies the community spirit through our enriching service to a wide range of local charities, schools and public agencies.
We provide a personal, holistic approach to your individual and business goals to deliver the ideal solution for you. Our active and practical approach ensures our clients understand their legal options and are empowered to fulfill their requirements according to California law.
It’s always worthwhile to take care of the human resources in your business and understand your legal obligations before issues arise. While the costs of covering your legal requirements might seem daunting, investing in compliance and proper training from the outset helps to avoid even more costly and lengthy legal proceedings further down the road.
At Ferber Law, we make it a priority to get to know your business or individual situation personally, in order to better represent your needs. Our team of highly skilled and experienced business lawyers is always available to assist in advice, training, transactions and all litigation matters, so you get the help you need, when you need it. Our team uses a collaborative approach, so our clients benefit from the combined knowledge of our diverse team, so you can always talk to the right professional when you need assistance.
Ferber Law assists businesses and executives in negotiations and all phases of litigation in federal, state and administrative proceedings. At Ferber Law, our highly skilled business and litigation attorneys aim to provide alternative dispute resolutions wherever possible, and expertly guide you through negotiation, mediation and/or trial as necessary.
Michelle Finkel Ferber has been recognized for excellence by Martindale Hubble, earning the highest rating of AV for legal ability, adherence to ethical standards, and professional reliability and diligence, as well as being rated a California Super Lawyer for having achieved a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
For expert legal advice on all areas of Employment, Labor, Business, Construction and Real Estate Law and litigation across California, contact Ferber Law today for clear, personal and professional legal guidance.
MICHELLE FINKEL FERBER
Managing Shareholder
Areas of Practice
Michelle is an employment and business lawyer, defending employers in actions involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations and business torts. Michelle is a highly skilled trial attorney and regularly appears before various state and federal governmental agencies. Michelle’s experience includes jury and bench trials, arbitrations, appellate arguments in both state and federal court and the defense of wage and hour class action lawsuits.
In addition to her litigation practice, Michelle regularly advises clients on employment law issues in the workplace, including the proper handling of termination and discipline decisions, workplace accommodation issues, and leaves of absence. Michelle provides her clients with all the advice and litigation expertise they need to stay current and compliant in the ever-changing landscape of employment laws and regulations, while recognizing the balance of business realities and economics.
Michelle’s practice includes representation of clients throughout the state. In February 2016, she joined the firm of Nemecek & Cole as an Of Counsel attorney. Nemecek & Cole is recognized as a preeminent business litigation Southern California law firm. This relationship allows Michelle the flexibility to effectively represent her clients, regardless of geographic location.
Michelle also has extensive experience in the appellate arena in both state and federal court. Her experience includes oral arguments before the California Court of Appeals, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Michelle has also authored many appellate briefs and writs, resulting in both published and unpublished decisions and orders in favor of her clients.
Michelle has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible for both her legal skills and ethical standards. Michelle’s client base includes retailers, restaurants, medical and dental providers, trucking and moving companies, contractors, architects, attorneys, and non-profit organizations.
Professional & Community Activities
Originally from Southern California, Michelle moved to Danville in 1997. Since that time, she has become involved in both the legal and local community. Michelle is a past officer and member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She was previously recognized as the 2015 “Board Member Extraordinaire.” She is a past President of the Contra Costa County Bar Association Employment Section and former Secretary of the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s Women’s Section. She is a former Vice-President of Beth Chaim Congregation, and was an integral part of the process of building its first permanent home in Danville. Michelle also served at Dougherty Valley High School as its founding attorney mock trial coach and as founding member of its Athletic Boosters Association.
Michelle currently serves as a volunteer for Contra Costa County Superior Court as a Discovery Facilitator. She is a graduate of the Contra Costa County Leadership Program and is an active member of various chambers of commerce and ProVisors. She is a member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, California Women Lawyers, and Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.
Education
Michelle is a 1987 graduate of California State University, Northridge, where she majored in Journalism and wrote for the college newspaper. She received her J.D. in 1990 from Southwestern University School of Law, receiving various awards for excellence in academics and writing. In law school, Michelle served as an extern for the Honorable Arthur Alarcon of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Representative Speaking Engagements
Association of Defense Counsel NorCal and Nevada Wednesday Webinar
– “Employment Law in the New Normal: Best Practices to a Safe and Legally Compliant Return to Work”
Continuing Education of the Bar – Women and the Law Series
-“Ending the Silence Surrounding Invisible Disabilities in the Practice of Law”
California Women Lawyers
-“Embracing Invisible Disabilities: Ending the Silence of Shame”
Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
– Dynamex—the Landmark Employment Decision that May Impact Your Law Practice
LISC Bay Area HR Roundtable
– “Trends in Employment Law”
California Internship & Work Experience Association
– “Avoiding Wage and Hour Pitfalls – Are Your Unpaid Internships Compliant with Federal and State Laws?”
Contra Costa County Employer Advisory Council
– “Midyear Legislative Update/Hot Topics”
California Trucking Association
– “Annual Employment Law Update and Immediate Impact of Dynamex Decision”
Contra Costa County Bar Association
– “Annual Employment Update”
JFK University Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership
– “Two Entrepreneurs Walk Out of a Bar – Identifying HR and Bias Issues”
EB MAP Meeting
– “2022 Employment Law Updates”
ProVisors
– “2022 Questions & Answers on Employment Law”
JONATHAN R. BABIONE
Partner
Areas of Practice
Mr. Babione concentrates his practice on employment, business, and other civil litigation. He practices in a broad range of employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour claims, in the state and federal courts, as well as the office of the Labor Commissioner. He also provides advice, counsel, and training in all aspects of the employment relationship, including drafting employee handbooks, company policies, and severance agreements, as well as providing sexual harassment and anti-bullying training. Other areas of practice include complex tort litigation and construction defect defense.
Professional & Community Activities
Mr. Babione is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, including membership in the Barristers/Young Lawyers Section. He is also a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court and of the Diablo Business Referral Network.
Mr. Babione also enjoys coaching his two sons’ baseball, soccer, and basketball teams in the Tassajara Valley Little League, Mustang Soccer League, and YMCA, respectively.
Education
Mr. Babione is a 2005 graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara. He received his J.D. in 2009 from Golden Gate University School of Law.
Representative Speaking Engagements
Absolute Trust Talk
-“Hiring Home Caregivers: Know the Law”
Diablo Business Referral Network
–“Breakfast with a Lawyer”
-“Employment Law Seminar”
–“Non-Disclosure, Non-Compete, and Non-Solicitation Agreements”
JENNIFER R. LUCAS
Senior Associate
Areas of Practice
Jeni Lucas is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer, who primarily represents employers in employment and labor litigation matters before federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies. Jeni advises and defends employers in all aspects of employment law and litigation, including trade secret misappropriation, wrongful termination, contract disputes, wage and hour claims, and other employment-related matters. She also counsels employers on a variety of workplace issues, and assists with the development of employee handbooks, policies, and procedures.
Jeni’s highly analytical and dynamic approach to solving employer problems make her an effective and zealous advocate for her clients.
Professional & Community Activities
Jeni is licensed in California and is admitted to practice in all California Federal Courts as well as the California Supreme Court. She has been admitted pro tem to represent clients in various federal district courts, including New York and Missouri. She is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and California Women Lawyers.
Jeni also acts as Special Needs Liaison for Coyote Creek Elementary School and serves on the Exceptional Education Committee for the San Ramon Unified School District.
Education
Jeni graduated from The Ohio State University with distinction in 1998 with degrees in English and Theater. She received her J.D. with distinction in 2003 from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she was a moot court semi-finalist. She served as a member of the University of San Francisco Law Review, and also participated in the National Association of Trial Attorney’s intensive Trial Advocacy program, after which she was one of two students from the program to be invited to join the Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco Inn of Court.
During law school, Jeni served as a judicial extern for Federal Magistrate Judge Hon. James Larson, where she worked on a variety of matters spanning topics including environmental law, public entity law and employment law, including high-profile tech firm claims of trade secret misappropriation.
CONNOR M. DAY
Senior Associate
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Connor is dedicated to providing his clients with exceptional, cost-effective legal representation. Connor concentrates his practice on the construction industry, business transactions, commercial landlord/tenant law, employment and homeowner association law. Whether representing large companies or individuals, Connor is committed to ensuring that his clients’ needs, goals and interests are always at the forefront of his representation.
Prior to joining Ferber Law, Connor was a partner in the law firm of Buchman Provine Brothers Smith. While at Buchman Provine Brothers Smith, Connor acted as general counsel for many contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, regularly advising them on their construction projects from the bidding stages through project completion. Connor is also well-versed in civil litigation in both State and Federal courts and has been recognized for his exceptional skills by Northern California Super Lawyers.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Connor is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and has been recognized as one of Northern California’s “Rising Stars” in the respected legal publication of Northern California Super Lawyers for the years 2013-2018. Connor was also recently recognized as a “Super Lawyer” in the Northern California Super Lawyers publication for the years 2020-2022.
Connor and his wife live in Pleasant Hill with their two children. Connor is an active member in the community and serves on the Board of the Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Commission, in addition to acting as the Parade Chair for the Fourth of July Parade. In his spare time, you can find Connor coaching his children’s soccer teams, volunteering at his children’s school or hitting the links.
EDUCATION
Connor graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2000 and received his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2004.
JULIE ANN GIAMMONA
Of Counsel
AREAS OF PRACTICE
With over 30 years of experience representing employers in labor and employment matters, Julie Ann Giammona is a passionate and zealous advocate for business owners. Julie Ann defends employers against wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and wage and hour issues in state and federal courts, at administrative hearings, and at arbitrations and mediations. Her analytic and strategic mind allows Julie Ann to immediately spot issues and build a comprehensive plan to affect resolution. In addition to defending litigation cases on behalf of employers, Julie Ann also provides advice and counsel to employers regarding leaves of absence, compliance with wage and hour issues, discipline and termination process, drug testing, and workplace violence issues. Because of her compassion and personal investment in her client’s experience, Julie Ann quickly establishes trust with clients. Julie Ann believes treating others with dignity, respect, and honesty is the key to a lasting relationship.
Joining Ferber Law as Of Counsel, Julie Ann brings with her years of experience from one of the largest multi-national, global law firms that exclusively represents employers. After leaving the “big firm” atmosphere, Julie Ann opened her own office, continuing in her representation of employers. Julie Ann recently relocated back to the East Bay, her childhood home. She is excited to be a part of the ever-changing landscape of California employment law.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Julie Ann is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She serves as a Director for the East County Section. Julie Ann is also a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the Contra Costa County Bar, serving as the Chair of the Subcommittee for Disability Rights, a committee dedicated to removing access barriers in the practice of law for individuals with disabilities. Julie Ann is also a member of California Women Lawyers and is a Director on the Northern California Employment Roundtable Board, an organization that aims to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunity. Julie Ann is actively involved in health advocacy in her community, often assisting others in obtaining access to critical health care and medication. Education is another love of Julie Ann, and she has spent countless hours assisting families in home schooling their children due to medical illness or crisis.
EDUCATION
Julie Ann graduated from California State University, Northridge, Summa cum Laude, in 1984, with a major in Sociology. She received her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Order of the Coif, in 1990.
Representative Speaking Engagements
Contra Costa County Bar Association
-“Strengthening Our Legal Community by Understanding Our Cultural Differences – A Cultural Competency Presentation”
Continuing Education of the Bar – Women and the Law Series
-“Ending the Silence Surrounding Invisible Disabilities in the Practice of Law”
Northern California Employment Roundtable
-“Harassment Prevention: Resources and Strategies for a Changing World”
Contra Costa County Bar Association
-“Unearthing the Roots of Systemic Racism: Learning the Things We Were Never Taught”
California Women Lawyers
-“Embracing Invisible Disabilities: Ending the Silence of Shame”
California Trucking Association
-“Reasonable Accommodation”
Northern California Employment Roundtable
-“Reasonable Accommodation and the Interactive Process”
Contra Costa County Bar Association-East County
-“COVID-19 Leave Laws”
Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce
-“2020 Employment Law Update”
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
-“2020 Employment Law Update”
Antioch Chamber of Commerce
-“2019 Employment Law Update”
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
-“2019 Employment Law Update”
California Trucking Association
-“2018 Employment Law Update” via Webinar
SHAWN HARDING
Of Counsel
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Mr. Harding’s practice focuses on business, corporate and real estate transactional matters. He represents investors, management, business owners, and entrepreneurs in his business practice. He regularly serves as outside corporate counsel. He has considerable experience with entity formations, equity and debt transactions, corporate reorganizations, succession planning, non-profit representation, mergers and acquisitions and general commercial matters.
As part of his real estate practice, Mr. Harding represents developers, property owners, lenders, landlords and tenants in leasing, fundraising and property acquisition matters.
Mr. Harding also handles intellectual property matters including trademark registration and intellectual property transactions.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Mr. Harding is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the California Lawyers Association, Contra Costa County Business Law Section, Contra Costa County Real Estate Law Section and California Business Law Sections.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Harding work in sales, operations and marketing management roles with AT&T, Inc.
EDUCATION
Mr. Harding is a graduate of UC Davis where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations. Mr. Harding attended the University of San Francisco where he obtained his juris doctorate. Mr. Harding is admitted to practice law in the California and U.S. Federal Courts.
Adam N. Arce
Associate Attorney
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Mr. Arce has experience in employment law, as well as personal injury and premises liability law. He interned with the Bar Association of San Francisco while in law school.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Mr. Arce is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association. In his free time, Mr. Arce likes to read, write, and create music.
EDUCATION
Mr. Arce graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Psychology and Minor in Creative Writing. He received his J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and was admitted to the bar in 2019.
Jessica Di Palma
Associate Attorney
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Ms. Di Palma practices employment and business litigation in both state and federal court. She has experience representing clients at all stages of the litigation process, from pre-lawsuit resolution to appeals, in a broad range of employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour claims.
EDUCATION
Ms. Di Palma earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School in 2014. While in law school, she served as an Editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review. She received her B.A. in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she graduated with high honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. Di Palma previously served as a law clerk to Justice Brian M. Hoffstadt of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, and as an appellate fellow at Horvitz & Levy LLP.
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Ms. Di Palma is on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Los Angeles Bar
Association and currently serves as Secretary. She is also a member of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and California Women Lawyers.
