Tessa Lessner focuses her practice on labor and employment and commercial litigation in California state and federal courts. She represents commercial and insurance defense clients in labor and employment cases involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour claims. She handles matters from pre-litigation through mediation, arbitration, and litigation in state and federal court. Tessa also advises employers on employment policies and procedures.
- Defended the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation against allegations of Eighth Amendment excessive force and failure to protect claims arising from an alleged attack on a California inmate by 15 correctional officers and sergeants, prevailing on summary judgment.
- Obtained summary judgment for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in several matters alleging deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.
- Obtained summary judgment for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in litigation filed by a California inmate against four employees alleging retaliation, conspiracy, and violations of the Bane Act.
- Obtained summary judgment for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation based on the plaintiff’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies in a matter alleging retaliation.
- Obtained a sustained demurrer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in an action alleging negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress based on the plaintiff’s failure to comply with the Government Claims Act.
- Obtained summary adjudication of a professional negligence claim against a health care provider on statute of limitations grounds, defeating plaintiff’s attempt to create a triable issue a declaration contracting prior deposition testimony.
- Co-Author, Plastic reduction efforts in California yield to COVID 19 pandemic, EHS Law Insights, Muck Rack’s LexBlog profile, April 29, 2020
- Disability Discrimination Claims and Litigation Readiness: Best Practices for Employers When Documenting the Interactive Process, California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) Monthly Webinars: Atkinson, Marin County, CA, May 2025
Admissions
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
Community Involvement
- Barrister, Earl Warren American Inn of Court, Presen
- Volunteer Attorney Coach, Judge, and Scorer, Alameda County High School Mock Trial Competition, 2019-Present
- Alameda County Volunteer of the Year, Phillip A. Harvey Memorial Mock Trial Competition, 2021-2022
Education
- J.D., cum laude, California Western School of Law, 2013
- Graduated in the top 10% of the class
- Outstanding Academic Performance in Entertainment Law
- Trustees Scholar Program
- Pro Bono Honors Society Award, 2009
- B.A., Communications, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2009
- Communication Department Award for Academic Excellence
- Dean’s Honors
- Graduated in three years
Externships
- United States Magistrate Judge Ruben B. Brooks
- United States District Judge William Q. Hayes