Biography
WENDY LAZERSON is the former co-chair of Sidley’s Labor and Employment international practice group and a partner in Sidley’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. Wendy is ranked by Chambers USA, has received multiple Benchmark awards for excellence, a multi-year recipient of the BTI Client Service Award for excellence in service to clients, and has been honored by the Daily Journal in 2024 and 2025 as a “Top Labor & Employment Lawyer.” Clients turn to Wendy to handle their most challenging matters regardless of venue, due to her reputation as a thoughtful, pragmatic, and strategic thinker. Wendy's reputation for good judgment and impartiality has led her to be sought after by Boards of Directors and company leadership to conduct independent investigations of alleged misconduct on matters of importance such as in the area of alleged sexual or other harassment or alleged ethical violations. Wendy's skills in the courtroom and in arbitration have led to successful outcomes for employers and company executives in litigation and arbitrations involving class actions and single plaintiff cases regarding theft of trade secrets, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, wage and hour, and other workplace disputes. Wendy regularly works with U.S. subsidiaries of clients based in China and other parts of Asia. As an advisor, Wendy is known for pragmatic and thoughtful solutions on the myriad of issues that arise in the workplace and her responsiveness and availability have been noted regularly. Wendy works with private and public companies and firms in finance, venture, biotech, tech, banking, and manufacturing, among others.
“Wendy Lazerson perfectly combines legal skills with strategic thinking and industry observation, knows well the client’s real needs and always finds ways out from complexity.”
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2021
“Wendy provides very clear guidance on employment matters and is incredibly responsive.”
Chambers USA 2025
Wendy is on the Employment Panel of the American Arbitration Association and serves as an arbitrator.
Wendy has served in several firm leadership roles.
Wendy regularly speaks on topics of interest and has published many articles with thought leadership some recent examples are listed below. Wendy has received many honors and awards reflecting her recognition by peers and clients. Examples are below:
Awards
- Benchmark Litigation as a “Litigation Star – California” (2025) and “Labor and Employment Star – Nationwide” (2021–2025)
- Chambers USA as a “Leading Lawyer” for Labor/Employment in California (2021–2025)
- LawDragon’s 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers – Labor & Employment Litigation (2020–2025)
- Daily Journal as a “Top Labor & Employment Lawyer” (2020–2025)
- BTI Client Service All-Star award (2017)
- The Best Lawyers in California (2015–2020)
- The Best Lawyers In America for Litigation — Labor and Employment (2016–2021)
- Best Lawyers in Northern California (2016–2020)
- Super Lawyers for Northern California — Employment and Labor (2008–2020)
- San Francisco Magazine as a “Top Lawyer” in Northern California (2013–2020)
Experience
Representative Matters
- Conducted multiple investigations involving alleged sexual improprieties involving C Suite executives and Board of Directors.
- Conducted multiple investigations involving alleged financial improprieties.
- Obtained defense jury verdict in whistleblowing, discrimination and retaliation case for large financial institution.
- Obtained arbitrator award in discrimination and whistleblowing case filed against a technology Company and its CEO.
- Defeated nationwide class and collective action for international technology company alleging misclassification of “technical employees.”
- Defeated nationwide class and collective certification for a Big Four consulting firm in a case alleging gender discrimination in pay and promotions commenced by women partners.
- Obtained arbitration award and costs in whistleblowing for a technology company in a case alleging age, weight, and disability discrimination.
- Defeated class certification and obtained summary judgment for a financial institution in a case alleging nationwide race discrimination in a performance management system.
- Obtained a settlement after a single deposition for a big box manufacturer in a class action alleging wage and hour violations.
- Conducted audits of pay and promotion practices for many national employers.
Community Involvement
Membership & Activities
- Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
- Former Board of Directors, Campaign for Legal Services
- Former Board of Directors Jewish Day School Foster City
Credentials
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, E.D. of California
- U.S. District Court, N.D. of California
- U.S. District Court, C.D. of California
- U.S. District Court, S.D. of California
- U.S. District Court, W.D. of New York
- U.S. District Court, N.D. of New York
- U.S. District Court, S.D. of New York
- California
- ニューヨーク州
- Albany Law School of Union University, 法務博士, cum laude, Trustee Prize
- Binghamton University, B.A., with honors