California Employment Lawyers

CODY LONNING

Of Counsel

Prior to joining Franklin Law, Cody worked at the top law firms of Proskauer Rose LLP and Venable LLP, where he represented and advised some of America’s most successful and well-known companies. Cody's practice included work on a wide range of litigation, including those related to labor & employment, intellectual property, antitrust, contract disputes, consumer products, and real estate. His robust pro-bono practice included victories in debt collection and landlord-tenant disputes.

Cody has been published in a number of legal publications, including as a regular contributor to Employment Relations Today, for which he wrote a quarterly column on Supreme Court decisions relevant to Labor and Employment law. Cody left his corporate law practice because he is passionate about fighting for small businesses and working people.

Cody graduated from the University of California-Berkeley School of Law and received his bachelor’s degree from Walla Walla University, where he graduated magna cum laude. During law school, Cody externed for the Honorable William Alsup in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. After law school, Cody clerked for the Honorable John H. Rich III in the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

Before his legal career, Cody farmed hay and wheat in Eastern Washington. Currently, he enjoys backpacking the Pacific Northwest’s Cascades, skiing the American Rockies, and walking his dog, Zuzu. In addition to his legal practice, Cody teaches history and politics at Eastern Washington University.

JULIANNA ZALINSKI

Associate

Julie is a graduate of UCLA Law School, where she was a member of the Criminal Justice Law Review executive board and a Data Analyst for the UCLA Law COVID Behind Bars Project. During law school, Julie also designed and taught an undergraduate writing seminar on neuroscience and law. Prior to joining Franklin Law P.C., Julie served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Dennis M. Cota in the Eastern District of California.

Julie received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, where she graduated cum laude with distinction in all subjects. During her time at Cornell, Julie oversaw over 600 student workers as the Associate Student Director of Cornell Dining and researched the impact of social interaction on song learning in the Australian zebra finch.

In her free time, Julie enjoys collecting rare books, practicing Pilates, and spending time with her cats, Atticus and Matches.

Elizabeth Anastasi

Associate

Elizabeth learned to practice law while clerking for the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and for the Honorable Sandra Ikuta of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit before joining the law firm Munger Tolles & Olson. She now dedicates herself to advocating for workers who have been mistreated by their employers, including cases involving wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, assault, and wage theft.

Elizabeth earned her J.D. from UCLA School of Law where she served as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Law and Foreign Affairs.

In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys collecting rock, blues, and jazz records, crosswords, reading fiction and philosophy, football and basketball, and gardening.

Azin Valafar

Of Counsel

Azin is a litigator and mediator based in Los Angeles, well recognized for her creative and strategic approach to the practice of law. Her compassion, intellect, and determination to do right by her clients make her a formidable advocate. Azin has spent the vast majority of her legal career litigating complex business disputes and employment matters.

Prior to joining Franklin Law, Azin was an attorney at Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl and at Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP. In addition, as a former business owner herself, Azin has a rare personal insight into employment issues and understands firsthand the importance of creating an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Azin graduated from Loyola Law School, having served on the Entertainment Law Review, and received her bachelor’s degree from the university of Southern California.

Kevin Meil

Of Counsel

Kevin is an employment litigator with expertise in disputes involving executive compensation. Kevin has been recognized by Best Lawyers on multiple occasions throughout his career. Prior to joining Franklin Law, Kevin worked at two of the country's most prestigious and selective law firms: Sidley Austin LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw and Pittman LLP. Kevin transitioned from representing corporations to representing employees because he believes in fighting for the rights of employees.

Kevin graduated from the University of California-Berkeley School of Law and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, where he graduated with honors. During law school, Kevin represented petitioners in expungement cases at the East Bay Community Law Center. Throughout his legal career, Kevin has represented expungement and asylum petitioners in Illinois and California on a pro bono basis.

Kevin enjoys playing basketball, hiking and spending time with his wife and children.

Laura Fentonmiller

Of Counsel

Laura is an experienced employment litigator who has won multiple employment trials. Before joining Franklin Law, Laura worked at the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Laura graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources, where she graduated with honors. Between undergrad and law school, she volunteered as a park ranger at Haleakala National Park on Maui. During law school, Laura served on the Michigan Journal of Law Reform and the Michigan Journal of Gender & Law.

Laura has participated in numerous pro bono and community service activities and taught at Georgetown University.

Laura enjoys reading, running, hiking, walking her dogs, and spending time with her family.

Isabelle Anselmo

Associate

Isabelle represents employees in discrimination, harassment, wage theft, and whistleblower retaliation cases against public and private employers across California.

Prior to joining Franklin Law, Isabelle worked at Goodwin Procter LLP, where she represented some of the world’s largest companies. Isabelle graduated from Boston College Law School after receiving her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Virginia.

Isabelle enjoys baking for friends and family, Pilates, and spending time with her two cats.

Valerie Meyer

Counsel

Valerie has more than twenty years of experience in litigating employment discrimination cases against public and private employers. Before joining Franklin Law, she was a trial lawyer and Deputy Chief in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Valerie has successfully represented employees in cases against public entities and private employers of all sizes. During her fifteen years as a DOJ trial lawyer, Valerie handled both individual and large class employment cases related to workplace accommodations, harassment, retaliation, and discrimination in hiring, promotion, and termination. She is a specialist in fighting for the rights of employees.

Valerie graduated from the University of California-Berkeley School of Law and she received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona. After law school, Valerie clerked for a federal judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Valerie enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Geoff Warner

Counsel

Geoffrey Warner is an accomplished litigator whose practice focuses on employment litigation and business disputes. He has represented individuals and companies in complex matters across state and federal courts and arbitration forums.

Geoff has extensive experience prosecuting and defending claims involving a range of employment claims. He has handled jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations.

Geoff earned his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where he graduated near the top of his class and was inducted into the Order of the Coif.

Geoff is a published author, with articles appearing in Law.com, Bloomberg Law, the Banking Law Journal, and Real Estate Weekly. He also maintains an active pro bono practice and serves on the board of Queer Vox Academy, where he contributes to organizational governance and compliance efforts.

Despite his extended tenure in Los Angeles, Geoff still considers Clovis, California, his home. He enjoys watching (and formerly playing) football, FaceTiming with his nieces and nephews in his free time, and indulging in whiskey tastings with his grandfather.