As a Sacramento-based trial attorney specializing in employment law for 37 years, Jeff has earned a reputation among his peers for being a sharp, fair, and respectful adversary and colleague in the legal community. As a result, he has been retained by employment and labor lawyers to serve as mediator and arbitrator in their cases.

In private practice, Jeff litigated, tried, or mediated hundreds of employment cases in the State and Federal courts as well as before administrative agencies in cases involving discrimination, harassment, privacy, wage and hour, as well as management/union relations, including grievance proceedings, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advising on rights and obligations under federal labor law. He has taught numerous classes to human resource professionals, employers, and lawyers on various employment and workplace issues. He currently mediates for the Settlement department 59 in the Sacramento Superior Court and the voluntary dispute resolution program in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

His passion for serving as a neutral is evident, as many describe him as having a communicative, evaluative, and caring approach that gets results.

Practice Areas
  • All Types of Employment Disputes including PAGA, Class Action, Labor Law
  • Business/Contractual
Hobbies & Interests

In his spare time, Jeff enjoys playing outdoor sports, hiking, cycling, and adventure travels.

Legal Career
  • Neutral, Judicate West (2019-Present)
  • Partner, Kennaday Leavitt Owensby, PC (2016 - 2019)
  • Neutral, Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program, U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California, (2014-Present)
  • MSC Judge Pro Tem, Department 59, Superior Court of Sacramento (2004 – Present)
  • Partner, Rediger McHugh & Owensby LLP (2007-2016)
  • Partner, Riegels Campos & Kenyon LLP (1999-2007)
  • Attorney and Partner, Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan (1982-1998)
Education & Professional Affiliations
  • J.D., University of California Davis (1982)
  • B.A., University of San Francisco (1979)
  • Strauss Institute, Pepperdine Mediation Program (2018)
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (1982-Present)
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, ADR Section (1982-Present)
Achievements & Awards
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, Northern California Super Lawyers (2020)
Below is a sampling of the various matters Jeffery Owensby, Esq. handled as a practicing attorney or neutral.

A.D.A.

  • Mediated a case involving an agricultural factory worker who was discharged after taking time off to seek treatment for and recover from cancer.
  • Mediated a claim brought by an auto dealership employee whose serious health conditions led to unplanned absences that allegedly violated the employer’s attendance policies.

Discrimination

  • Mediated a claim brought by a tech industry executive who alleged that her inclusion in a group layoff was motivated by age and sex discrimination
  • Mediated a claim brought by an individual who alleged harassment based on race and national origin, including racial epithets and derogatory insults directed at a group of Latino workers. The claim also involved allegations that immigration status was used as a threat to deter whistleblowing about the discriminatory conduct.
  • Mediated a case brought by an industrial worker who alleged that she was assigned dirty, dangerous, and isolated tasks because of her race, while employees of other races received preferential treatment. The case involved complex procedural issues related to the claimant’s union membership.
  • Mediated a two-plaintiff harassment and discrimination case against a public entity. Both plaintiffs were union members who navigated multiple levels of the grievance process. The matter involved extensive medical evidence related to emotional distress and ultimately resolved through settlement.
  • Mediated a dispute involving two employees who alleged race harassment and discrimination while working for a high-end local employer. One employee claimed constructive discharge. The alleged harasser was investigated and terminated for misconduct by the employer.

PAGA

  • Mediated three related PAGA cases involving a common consultant and separate companies operating fast-food locations.

Pregnancy Discrimination

  • Mediated pregnancy discrimination claims against a defunct, bankrupt company, where the EPLI carrier was the only active party opposing the claims and the sole source of potential recovery for any judgment or settlement.
  • Mediated a single-plaintiff pregnancy discrimination case involving an intervening bankruptcy and an interlocutory appeal, with trial imminent. A background insurance coverage dispute added complexity. The matter was resolved over two mediation sessions.

Prevailing Wage

  • Mediated a complex employment dispute involving multiple plaintiffs asserting wage and hour violations and wrongful discharge claims. The case featured distinct subsets of claims and defenses among the plaintiffs, and multiple defendants represented by different law firms.

Sexual Harassment

  • Mediated a claim of hospital employee who asserted that her male supervisor sexually assaulted her on company property.
  • Mediated a case in which female workers alleged that their lead worker kissed, groped and made sexual gestures targeted at women over whom he had scheduling and task assignment authority.
  • Mediated a claim by woman who after consensual sexual and romantic relationship with her boss ended was forced out of executive position in retaliation for not resuming sexual aspects of relationship.

Wage and Hour

  • Mediated action by hotel housekeepers seeking payment for unpaid work time, overtime pay, and variety of penalties associated with improper payment practices of hotel owner.
  • Mediated a case alleging missed break/missed meals and related penalties by long-term care workers.
  • Mediated a class action wage and hour dispute involving union workers.

Wage and Hour Class Action

  • Mediated a wage and hour class action with PAGA claims involving highly complex compensation structures that gave rise to numerous pay and Labor Code violation issues.

Wrongful Termination

  • Mediated a case involving disability discrimination, wrongful discharge, and whistleblower retaliation. Despite initial reluctance to engage, the parties reached a resolution with significant movement by both sides.
  • Mediated a case involving the dismissal of a physician outside the established medical staff processes and the statutory framework for curtailing medical staff privileges.
Mr. Owensby was very well prepared and articulate about the issues.
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Case
Jeff Owensby is a natural at this mediation job. He's great with parties and brings such depth to his cases, especially in the tricky employment world.
- Attorney on an Employment/Discrimination case
Jeff is great at assessing the pros and cons of each case. He has a command of the law and a warm style, making my most difficult clients feel important and at ease.
- Founding Partner of an Employment Firm Based in Sacramento
It was my first time mediating with Jeff Owensby. I was extremely impressed by his diligence, insight, and professionalism. He was truly outstanding, and he is on our "A-List" of mediators that we would recommend when the case is ready to get resolved. We look forward to working with him again in the future!
- Founding Partner of a Los Angeles-Based Firm
It was the best experience in mediation I have ever had. Jeff's calm demeanor and ability to distill our case quickly into the key issue were magnificent. We felt like he cared about us and wanted us to understand the true picture of the case. I know that he pushed both sides at the right time and in the right amount to lead to a fair settlement.
- Attorney on an Employment Discrimination Retaliation Case
Jeff is one of the most intelligent and capable mediators I have ever encountered. I have used him several times and he is quite effective and works well with both sides.
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination case
Mr. Owensby nailed it. He was fair, efficient, established strong rapport, and focused on the issues that really mattered in the short period of time we had together. Would use him again should the opportunity ever arise. Thanks again.
- Attorney on an Employment Hostile Environment Dispute
We had a very positive experience with Jeff. I plan to work with him in the future.
- Attorney on an Employment Labor Code case
Jeffery Owensby, Esq.
Based in Northern California
Mediation Case Manager: Maureen Tapalla
Arbitration/Private Judging Case Manager: Heidi Adams