Cody Lee Saal

Cody serves as an advisor to employers, offering counsel in various labor and employment matters. Her reputation is built upon exceptional advocacy skills, acute legal insight, and an impressive track record in both state and federal courts. Cody has amassed significant experience representing public entities, where her practice spans an array of cases, including those related to employment discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.

Cody's legal acumen shines through her extensive experience in motion practice, encompassing many procedural challenges, such as motions to dismiss, demurrers, motions to strike, and motions for summary judgment. Her adeptness in navigating the intricacies of these procedures has led to a multitude of favorable outcomes for clients.

Additionally, Cody played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking legal battle that left an indelible mark on California's labor and employment law landscape. She demonstrated exceptional legal acumen while representing a public school district client affiliated with ESM in an appeal that contested a trial court's ruling, which had previously declared the Unruh Civil Rights Act inapplicable to California public school districts. Her instrumental role resulted in securing a favorable decision in the Court of Appeal, effectively upholding the trial court's ruling. 

Subsequently, this significant victory was carried forward to the California Supreme Court, where Cody again displayed her legal prowess by crafting a compelling client brief and delivering persuasive oral arguments. In a historic turn of events in August 2022, the California Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Brennon B. v. Superior Court (2022) 13 Cal.5th 662, unequivocally establishing that the Unruh Civil Rights Act does not extend its applicability to public school districts in California. This precedent-setting ruling, a case of first impression, marked a resounding triumph for the client and public school districts throughout the state.

• The Bar Association of San Francisco
• Contra Costa County Bar Association