Laura Maechtlen

Background

About Laura Maechtlen

As a member of Seyfarth’s Executive Committee, Chair of the National Labor & Employment Department, co-chair of the National Inclusion & Belonging Team, and a leading member of our Workplace Compliance group, I focus on change management and delivering proactive solutions that help global clients avoid mass litigation and build strong internal compliance initiatives. Employers across the country value my broad knowledge of legally defensible and practical strategies for fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion. I advise on best practices, metrics, progress management, and change management. When litigation arises, I work to resolve class, collective, and multi-plaintiff discrimination actions quickly and efficiently—always with an eye toward preserving business strategy and talent culture. Through training and counsel, I help clients mitigate litigation risks. I’ve conducted numerous employee and management trainings on inclusion, anti-harassment, and positive employment relations. I also counsel senior executives and boards of directors on resolving or avoiding mass litigation and developing internal compliance initiatives. Additionally, I assist clients with workforce data analysis, helping craft strategies to address risk and build inclusive cultures. I manage administrative agency investigations, including systemic initiatives and claims involving unequal pay, hiring and pre-employment testing, background checks, promotions, and reasonable accommodation processes. I also bring extensive litigation and trial experience. I’ve litigated against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing in systemic actions—both at the early charge stage and in large-scale EEOC pattern-and-practice litigation. I’ve helped clients secure defense verdicts in California Superior Courts in San Francisco, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties. My work includes high-profile matters stemming from employer practices during cultural flashpoints like the #MeToo movement. These engagements often involve investigations, audits, compliance reviews, and rebuilding company policies and practices following PR events or legal claims.