Bethany A. Vasquez

Member

San Francisco

(415) 593-9621

(415) 644-0978

Bethany is an employment litigator with more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive management-side counsel in workplace disputes.

She leads defense of claims involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and other employment-related matters and frequently achieves quick success through dispositive motions and favorable settlements. Bethany also advises employers on employee relations, performance management, wage and hour, contingent workforce rules, and compensation matters, and represents employers before administrative agencies, including the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, California Civil Rights Department, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The majority of Bethany’s practice focuses on representing Fortune 100 companies and the country’s largest not-for-profit institutions in individual employment litigation, but she is also known for her work with emerging growth companies and tech startups to establish workplace policies that mitigate risk and avoid potential disputes.

Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Bethany was employment counsel at Lyft Inc., where she developed and implemented new employment policies; led training programs; and conducted audits, classification reviews, and other compliance oversight. She also gained valuable insight into the needs and priorities of in-house legal departments when working with outside counsel. Bethany served in private practice at several other Am Law 100 firms before her tenure at Lyft.

Bethany earned her bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from University of Oregon, and her law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

News

How Do You Require Customers to Wear Masks Without Endangering Employees?

August 04, 2020

Michele Miller and Bethany Vasquez spoke with SHRM about how businesses that ask customers to wear face masks walk a fine line between complying with mask mandates and putting employees at risk if customers refuse and respond violently.

Cozen O’Connor Grows California Labor and Employment Practice with the Addition of Litigator Bethany A. Vasquez to its San Francisco Office

May 21, 2020

Bethany previously served as employment counsel at San Francisco-based ride-sharing company Lyft Inc., joins as a member, and will work out of its San Francisco office.

Publications

A Revised Post-Coronavirus Return to Work Checklist [Alert]

June 07, 2021

In light of recent guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and the EEOC, we have updated our Return to Work Checklist.

California’s Large Employers to Provide COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Following Newsom’s Signature [Alert]

September 15, 2020

Bethany Vasquez, Elena Hillman, and Austin Dieter discuss Assembly Bill 1867, requiring large employers to provide COVID-19 related supplemental paid sick leave to their California employees.

Employer Back to School Guide

August 06, 2020

David Barron, David Hackett, Nandini Sane, and Bethany Vasquez designed an FAQ to address concerns that employers have regarding COVID-19 and the Fall semester.

COVID-19 FAQs For California Employers

July 01, 2020

Michele Ballard Miller, Walter Stella, Elena Hillman, and Austin Dieter designed an FAQ that California Employers have regarding COVID-19.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Pay Equity: Legislation and Litigation

April 07, 2022 - Webinar

Startup Essentials Program

March 05, 2021 - Webinar

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2000
  • University of Oregon, B.A., summa cum laude, 1997

Awards & Honors

California Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star, 2010

  • California
  • California Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court -- Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of California