Practice Group Chair – Labor & Employment Law Group / Partner
In 2008, Ms. Cusimano joined McCormick Barstow’s Labor/Employment Law Group. She is admitted to practice law before all California State Courts, all United States District Courts of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
In 2008, Ms. Cusimano joined McCormick Barstow’s Labor/Employment Law Group. She is admitted to practice law before all California State Courts, all United States District Courts of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Ms. Cusimano received her B.A. degree in Business Economics and Global Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her J.D. degree, with honors, from Santa Clara University School of Law. While in law school, Ms. Cusimano participated in both Law Review and the Honors Moot Court Board.
Ms. Cusimano represents both private and public employers in a wide variety of labor and employment matters under both state and federal law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unfair competition, failure to accommodate and other disability-related claims. She has significant experience in preventing and defending against wage and hour violations, including defense of class, collective and representative actions. For public entity clients, Ms. Cusimano has successfully defended claims of civil rights violations under 42 USC §1981 and §1983. She also has litigated extensively, including jury trials and arbitrations.
Ms. Cusimano provides counseling and training to employers on compliance issues, conducts workplace investigations and represents employers at administrative hearings. Ms. Cusimano also devotes a substantial amount of her practice to advising clients on day-to-day issues to avoid potential litigation, such as hiring, terminations, compensation, disability and leave issues as well as drafting policies and employee handbooks.
Ms. Cusimano is a member of the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Fresno County Bar Association and San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL).
Ms. Cusimano is a Member at Large on the Board of Best Buddies, Fresno Region. Ms. Tillman has served on the Board of Directors for the Community Food Bank and the American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team for the Heart and Stroke Ball.
“Compliance with Meal Period, Rest Breaks and 7th Day Overtime Requirements,” California Agricultural Aircraft Association, semi-annual meeting.
“How to Avoid Employment-Related Litigation,” Consolidated Insurance Services, Inc., Caruthers, CA, March 2017.
“2017 Labor and Employment Law Update,” California Gaming Association, Newsletter, 2017.
“Preventing Wage & Hour Litigation,” Steps to Success for Small Businesses Lecture Series, February 2017.
“Investigating Harassment/Discrimination Complaints,” Employment Law Symposium, Tulare County Bar Association, October 2016.
“The Basics of Wage and Hour Litigation,” Fresno Paralegal Association, The “E” Conference, Fresno, CA, March 2016.
“Avoiding Employment-Related Litigation,” EPIC Brokers, Fresno, CA, March 2016.
“Breaking Away From the Chain of Service,” California Gaming Association, Newsletter, 2016.
“Handling Employee Requests for Reasonable Accommodation,” Central Valley Safety Society, Fresno, CA, July 2015.
“Card Room Obligations Under Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act,” California Gaming Association, Newsletter, Issue Two, April 2015.
“Employment Law: 2015 Comprehensive Guide,” National Business Institute, Fresno, CA, January 2015.
“Avoiding Litigation: Cardroom Trouble Spots,” California Gaming Association, Annual Meeting, Rancho Mirage, CA, November 2014.
“Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now,” National Business Institute, Fresno, CA, January 2014.
“RBST, It Does A Body Good?: RBST Labeling and the Federal Denial of the Consumers’ Right to Know,” Santa Clara Law Review (2008).
Ms. Cusimano is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbell. She was selected for inclusion in the Northern California Rising Stars list (2012-2021) and has been selected for inclusion in the Northern California Super Lawyers list (2023) for her primary area of practice of employment litigation defense. Ms. Cusimano has been recognized by America’s Most Honored Professionals (2015) as well as Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers (2012-2014) and Northern California’s Outstanding Young Women Lawyers (2016).
