Kari J. Brown

“My primary goal is to ensure that our clients are in a position to make smart and informed decisions on issues that impact their businesses, employees, and life decisions. I strive to provide thorough, effective and practical advice with the purpose of placing clients in the best position to choose the right path forward for their individual circumstances.”

Kari Brown’s practice primarily focuses on employment law, providing counsel on recent developments in the law, wage and hour issues, employee leaves, immigration issues, background check compliance, employment agreements, exempt status analysis, workplace investigations, workplace violence restraining orders, severance packages, and the termination process.  She enjoys problem-solving with clients and discovering proactive and practical solutions for the various employment law issues that come their way.  Kari also assists employers with creating effective employment policies and handbooks as well as advises on best practices in the employment arena.  In addition to advising clients on employment matters, Kari is adept at litigating employment cases whether in Superior Court or with the various administrative agencies.  Although employment law is her main area of focus, Kari is also experienced in handling general civil litigation matters, including business and contractual disputes and personal injury matters.  Kari’s breadth of experience in various areas of the law gives her the unique ability to give her clients well-rounded and sound advice.

Prior to joining Spaulding, McCullough, & Tansil LLP, Kari had several years of prior experience in civil litigation and criminal prosecution. She has handled complicated litigation matters in the areas of commercial loss, property dispute, construction defect, and personal injury. As a former prosecutor, Kari has extensive trial experience and knowledge of criminal law as well as significant training and experience with civil environmental and consumer protection cases.

Kari received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2006, receiving numerous awards for her trial advocacy, and clerked for the Judicial Council of California, Center for Families, Children and the Courts. Prior to law school, she attended Indiana University, graduating with Highest Distinction with a B.A. in history and criminal justice. While at I.U., she was nominated to Phi Beta Kappa and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Kari is a member of the Sonoma County Bar Association and Sonoma County Women in Law and also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Personnel Association of Sonoma County (PASCO). Kari is a former board member at Bethlehem Children’s Center in Santa Rosa and was previously the secretary of the Sonoma County Prosecutor’s Association. Kari was selected by the North Bay Business Journal for its 2018 Forty Under 40 Award.