Marc A. Koonin has extensive experience representing both private and public sector employers. His practice includes defending suits alleging wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, unfair labor practices, defamation, fraud, and various other labor and employment-related claims, as well as defending labor arbitrations and a variety of labor and employment-related complaints brought before various state and federal administrative agencies. He regularly defends and advises employers on workplace safety issues, including obligations under Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA regulations, and has represented a wide variety of employers appealing citations before the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board.
Marc A. Koonin has extensive experience representing both private and public sector employers. His practice includes defending suits alleging wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, unfair labor practices, defamation, fraud, and various other labor and employment-related claims, as well as defending labor arbitrations and a variety of labor and employment-related complaints brought before various state and federal administrative agencies. He regularly defends and advises employers on workplace safety issues, including obligations under Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA regulations, and has represented a wide variety of employers appealing citations before the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board.
Mr. Koonin also directs and conducts internal employment investigations regarding alleged misconduct, conducts employment law compliance audits, prepares and reviews employment policies and forms, and advises clients on labor and employment-related matters, including preventing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims, wage and hour law, employee leave, accommodating disabled employees, labor relations, union organizing, collective bargaining, avoiding and defending charges relating to unfair labor practices, responding to strikes and picketing, workplace privacy issues, independent contractor status, implementing reductions-in-force, workplace safety issues, protecting trade secrets, and disciplining and terminating employees.
Immediately prior to joining Sedgwick, Mr. Koonin worked as an associate in the labor and employment section of a recognized San Francisco law firm. He previously served as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he defended employment claims brought by federal civilian employees and was also detailed as a Special Assistant U.S. attorney.
Presentations & Publications
Mr. Koonin has given numerous presentations sponsored by organizations including Sedgwick, M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC, the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Northern California Human Resources Association, including presenting at the Northern California Human Resources Association’s HR West Annual Conference & Trade Show in 2010, 2009, and 2007. He has also published articles on employment law in a variety of publications, including Employment Law 360, The Recorder, and The Labor Lawyer.
Memberships & Honors
Mr. Koonin is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in California. He is a member of the Labor and Employment Section of the California Bar Association, and of the California Hotel & Lodging Association Governmental and Legal Affairs Committee. He previously served as chair of the Labor & Employment Section of the Barristers Club of San Francisco (March 2002 through March 2003).