Somach Simmons and Dunn, Attorneys at Law Somach Simmons & Dunn | Attorneys at Law

Areas

Education

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, California (J.D., 2008)
  • University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (B.A., 1999)

Admissions

  • California

Alexis K. Stevens
Shareholder
LinkedIn Bio

Ali Stevens brings nearly 15 years of experience representing public agencies and private sector clients in matters ranging from water rights to employment law. As a seasoned attorney, she serves as outside general counsel to many of the firm’s special district clients. Ali’s clients appreciate her solid understanding of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Government Code, Proposition 218, and the Elections Code. Whether she is engaged in water rights or employment law, Ali works closely with her clients, guiding them on their most critical issues to achieve the best possible outcome.

Ali advises the firm’s clients on various federal and state employment laws, including the California Family Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Employment and Housing Act. She also protects her clients, who often include board members, general managers, and human resources directors by reviewing, updating, and developing employee handbooks. She advises them on policies related to harassment, discrimination, and family/medical leave, along with other statutory leave laws.

When the pandemic hit, Ali helped her clients navigate uncharted waters such as contact tracing, addressing COVID cases in the workplace, and compliance with Cal/OSHA’s Temporary Emergency Standards. She strived to be available and flexible for her clients by meeting in-person with her smaller districts and/or remotely with the larger districts.

Ali regularly keeps her clients informed about their issues through timely articles and speaking engagements. From water issues and the effect of drought conditions to employment-related matters such as disciplinary actions and terminations, she understands the myriad issues that often keep her clients up at night and is right there to provide the answers they seek.

Ali is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Santa Clara University School of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of California. She is admitted to practice in the State of California and before the United States Court of Federal Claims, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Eastern District of California.

Ali lives in Stockton, California. Outside of work, she enjoys entertaining family and friends and traveling. Although most days she can be found pretty close to home, she enjoys getting away with her husband to Napa when they can to feed her love of good food and wine. She has yet to meet a Chardonnay she does not like.

 

Insights and Activities

  • Contributor/Section Leader, ACWA Appellate Case Summaries (since 2009)
  • Sacramento County Bar Association
  • San Joaquin County Bar Association
  • California Lawyers Association, Public Law Section
  • Water Education Foundation, Water Leaders Class of 2015

Recent Articles

Remote Meetings Under the Brown Act May Continue

On September 16, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) into law which allows public agencies to continue to conduct meetings remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and ... Read More

Is your district violating prevailing wage law?

California Prevailing Wage Law Expanded to Cover Potentially All Contract Work On March 29, 2021, California’s Supreme Court issued a far-reaching decision (Kaanaana v. Barrett Business Services, Inc. (2021) 11 ... Read More

California to Provide Supplemental COVID Leave – What Employers Need to Know

On Friday, March 19, 2021, the California Senate passed, and Governor Newsom signed, Senate Bill (SB) 95, which requires employers to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick ... Read More

Education

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, California (J.D., 2008)
  • University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (B.A., 1999)

Admissions

  • California