Cynthia L. Sands is an experienced litigator with over 20 years in employment law, business disputes, and insurance defense, representing various Fortune 500 companies. Her accomplishments include multiple defense verdicts in significant discrimination cases and extensive trial and transactional experience. Sands has also contributed to legal publications and served on professional committees, further establishing her expertise in the legal field.

1. CYNTHIA L. SANDS
12626 Bonaparte Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90066 • (310) 621-5657 (C) • (310) 821-3849 (H) • cynthialsands@gmail.com
PROFILE
Experienced litigator with twenty (20) years of experience in areas that include employment law, business disputes, insurance
defense, ERISA, and class actions. Represent a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies, mid-size companies, and their executives
in high-stakes business litigation cases before Federal and State courts. Proven track record of representing public and private
corporations, governmental entities, and individuals in a wide variety of employment-related claims, with a keen insight and
understanding into the clients’ complex business environments. Possess extensive trial experience, as well as transactional
experience, including drafting business agreements and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
LITIGATION COUNSELING HUMAN RESOURCES
 Employment Defense  Management Training  HR Strategy Development
 Trials & Class Actions  Internal Investigations  Employee Relations
 Wrongful Termination  Employment Contracts  Executive Compensation
 Sexual Harassment  Policies & Procedures  Recruiting/Hiring Practices
 Discrimination  Workplace Health & Safety  Discipline/Termination
 ERISA  Workplace Violence  Government Compliance
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
 Secured a defense verdict as second-chair in a jury trial brought by a police officer against the city and its police department
alleging race discrimination and retaliation in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act claim (Title VII
equivalent).
 Obtained a jury trial defense verdict as second-chair on behalf of a district manager and insurance company in a sex
harassment, discrimination, and retaliation case brought by an independent contractor insurance agent.
 Won a defense verdict as second-chair in a bench trial brought by an employee alleging race discrimination against an
insurance company.
 Prevailed on several motions for summary judgment, including one on behalf of Shell Oil Company, in a claim by an
employee involved in a reduction in force action alleging age and race discrimination.
 Secured a defense verdict as second-chair in a jury trial on a whistleblower case against a Fortune 500 company, and
provided corrective action suggestions to avoid future litigation.
 Prevailed on a summary judgment motion in a case brought by the California equivalent of the EEOC (called the
Department of Fair Employment and Housing) on behalf of an employee alleging disability discrimination for a perceived
disability – brain tumor – against the defendant, Sprint.
 Member of a defense team in obtaining summary judgment in favor of Coca-Cola in a false advertising lawsuit; worked
closely with Coca-Cola’s then-General Counsel, North America, and the then-Senior Managing Attorney, North America.
EXPERIENCE
GONZALEZ SAGGIO & HARLAN LLP Los Angeles, CA
Of Counsel April 2012 – Present
Senior Associate October 2001 – March 2012
Atkins & Evans LLP – Merged with Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP January 2009
Represent Fortune 500 companies, medium sized companies, and public entities in litigation defense matters across the nation,
and provide day-to-day advice to presidents, executives, and company management regarding a variety of employment-related
issues, including but not limited to, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, insurance defense, ERISA,
class actions, defamation, fraud, business disputes, and other statutory, contract, and tort related matters. Atkins & Evans LLP
merged with this national firm in January 2009.
 Extensive trial experience litigating employment law claims before state and federal courts in matters involving
discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful demotion and termination claims and violation of public policy with
respect to whistle blowing and other protected activity in a fast-paced, team environment.
 Provide training for clients in areas including diversity, equal employment opportunities, and maintaining a harassment-
free workplace.
 Draft employee handbooks, handle discipline and discharge issues, manage reductions in force issues, and engage in
preventive, day-to-day counseling with clients on a wide range of labor and employment issues.
 While at Atkins & Evans LLP, handled all employment litigation on behalf of the Firm, defending management and
businesses of all sizes in a wide variety of employment and ERISA litigation matters.

2. CYNTHIA L. SANDS – (310) 621-5657 (C) • sandsinla@prodigy.net • Page 2 of 2
E X P E R I E N C E (Continued)
TBG FINANCIAL (Now MullinTBG) Century City, CA
Corporate Counsel December 2000 – September 2001
 Negotiated contracts for administrative services for deferred compensation plans.
BOLDEN & MARTIN (Now Martin & Martin) Los Angeles, CA
Senior Associate July 1999 – November 2000
 Practiced employment law litigation representing management, and provided day-to-day advice to management.
WOLDT & ASSOCIATES Torrance, CA
Associate April 1998 – June 1999
Law Clerk May 1997 – April 1998
 Practiced employment litigation representing management, and prepared employee policies, handbooks and manuals.
LANE, ALTON & HORST Columbus, OH
Associate May 1994 – May 1997
 Practiced employment law litigation representing management, and conducted workplace investigations of discrimination.
CHORPENNING, GOOD & MANCUSO Columbus, OH
Associate November 1992 – April 1994
Law Clerk September 1991 – November 1992
 Practiced ERISA litigation for life, health and disability insurance, for the defense.
EDUCATION
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL Columbus, OH
Juris Doctor, cum laude May 1992
 Order of the Curia
 The Capital University Law Review, Published Staff Member, 1990-1991 and Notes Editor, 1991-1992
 Intern, Justice Herbert R. Brown, Supreme Court of Ohio, 1990
 Intern, Judge James L. Graham, Federal District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1991
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Arts August 1986
 Dean’s List
PUBLICATIONS
 Author, “The California Supreme Court Takes Away ‘Kin Care’ for Employees with Uncapped Sick Leave” Gonzalez Saggio &
Harlan LLP 60 Second Memo (weekly newsletter), February 2011
 Author, “Key Differences between the ADA and California’s Anti-Disability Discrimination Law that Companies with California
Employees Should Know” Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP 60 Second Memo (weekly newsletter), February September 2010
 Author, “Does the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 Require You to Ensure Your Contractors Are Not Hiring
Unauthorized Alien Workers?” Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP 60 Second Memo (weekly newsletter), July 2010
HONORS
 Member of California State Bar Attorney Civility Task Force, appointed by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of
California, 2006
 National Association of Professional Women, Woman of the Year, 2012
MEMBERSHIPS
 Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law Section
 Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Committee
 National Association of Professional Women
ADMISSIONS

3.  State of California, 1998
 United States District Court in California, 1998
 State of Ohio, 1992 (inactive status)