Brereton, Mohamed, & Korte LLP
1362 Pacific Avenue, 2nd Floor | Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | 831-429-6391
Employer Defense Attorneys & Workplace Lawyers in Santa Cruz
For business owners, HR leaders, and executives in Santa Cruz, having a skilled employer defense attorney on your side is essential. Whether you’re facing a workplace discrimination claim, retaliation lawsuit defense, wrongful termination allegations, or need guidance through a workplace investigation, our team delivers strategic, confidential counsel tailored to your business’s needs.
As your local workplace lawyers near you, we help you navigate complex employment laws, minimize risk, and protect your reputation.
Employer Defense
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Comprehensive legal defense for businesses facing all types of employment claims and lawsuits, including those initiated by employees or government agencies such as the EEOC, DOL, and similar bodies.
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Representation in disputes involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and breach of contract.
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Litigation support in state and federal courts, as well as administrative proceedings and agency investigations.
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Proactive compliance counsel to help employers minimize risk, avoid lawsuits, and maintain legal workplace policies.
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Crisis management for high-stakes cases that could impact business reputation or finances
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Conducting independent, thorough investigations into employee complaints or allegations of harassment, discrimination, misconduct, or policy violations.
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Ensuring fairness and legal compliance during the investigation process to protect employer interests and maintain workplace trust.
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Providing detailed reports and recommendations for corrective actions, discipline, or policy changes.
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Mitigating legal risk by addressing issues internally before they escalate to litigation or regulatory action.
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Training management on how to identify and respond to potential workplace issues.
Workplace Investigations
Retaliation Defense
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Defending employers against claims that an adverse action (such as termination, demotion, or discipline) was taken in retaliation for an employee’s protected activity (e.g., whistleblowing, filing a complaint, participating in an investigation).
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Evaluating evidence to show legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons for employment decisions.
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Litigating retaliation claims in court or before administrative agencies like the EEOC.
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Advising employers on how to document performance issues and decision-making processes to prevent retaliation claims.
Discrimination Claims Defense
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Defending against allegations of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
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Responding to charges filed with the EEOC or equivalent state agencies.
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Preparing for and participating in mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
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Counseling employers on anti-discrimination policies, training, and compliance.
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Representing employers accused of terminating employees for illegal reasons, such as discrimination, retaliation, or in violation of public policy.
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Reviewing employment contracts, policies, and documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
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Litigating wrongful termination lawsuits and negotiating settlements when appropriate.
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Advising on best practices for termination procedures to minimize legal exposure.
Wrongful Termination Defense
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Legal defense against claims of unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment and harassment based on other protected categories.
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Conducting or overseeing internal investigations into harassment complaints.
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Assisting with the development and enforcement of anti-harassment policies and training programs.
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Representing employers in litigation or agency proceedings arising from harassment allegations.
Harassment Defense
Meet Gabrielle J. Korte
Employment Law Defense Attorney | Workplace Investigations | Retaliation & Wrongful Termination Specialist
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Gabrielle J. Korte is a skilled civil litigator and employment law defense attorney with 25 years of experience—licensed since 2000.
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She represents both employers and employees, bringing a balanced perspective to every case.
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Gabrielle specializes in employer defense, workplace investigations, retaliation defense, wrongful termination claims, discrimination claims, harassment investigations, employee discipline and termination, employee handbooks and policies, leave of absence laws, and the disability interactive process.
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She is an Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH), ensuring expert, impartial investigations.
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Her jury trial and appellate experience means she’s comfortable in court and on appeal.
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Gabrielle is deeply committed to the Santa Cruz community—raised locally, educated in Santa Cruz city schools, UC Santa Cruz (B.S. Psychology, 1996), and UC Law San Francisco (J.D., 2000).
Experience & Recognition
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Jury trial experience as both plaintiff and defense counsel.
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Plaintiff-side background in employment and personal injury matters, followed by years representing and counseling employers (private and public sectors).
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Familiar with complex litigation, including a role on the legal team for Coates et al v. Farmers Insurance (finalist for Consumer Attorneys of CA’s Attorney of the Year), resulting in a $4.1 million settlement for Equal Pay Act violations.
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Appellate success in challenging the California Department of Public Health (Grant Park Neighborhood Assn. Advocates et al. v. State Dept. of Public Health et al., 2023).
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Insurance defense background for individuals and businesses in personal injury lawsuits and civil matters.
Client Experience
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Gabrielle understands litigation can be stressful—she provides reassurance and support, guiding clients step-by-step.
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Her approach is strategic, practical, and business-savvy, with a focus on protecting employer interests and maintaining workplace trust.
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Local expertise: Gabrielle has deep roots in Santa Cruz and a proven record representing local businesses as their employer defense attorney and workplace lawyer. (the points here can be merged with the ‘why choose gabrielle..’ section below. So this section ‘client experience’ can be avoided. Just give opening titles for these points, like with the points below.)
Why Choose Gabrielle for Your Employment Law Needs?
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Local Expertise: A Santa Cruz native and trusted employer defense attorney near you—Gabrielle understands the unique needs of local businesses.
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Client-Focused: She listens, acts strategically, and keeps you informed every step of the way.
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Confidentiality: Gabrielle handles all matters with the utmost discretion and professionalism.
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Timely Response: Get the attention you deserve—reach out to a workplace lawyer near you promptly.
Frequently asked questions
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