Overview

Roya Massoumi is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek office. Ms. Massoumi provides strategic advice to public employers in all stages of administrative, state, and federal litigation. Ms. Massoumi also serves as a trusted advisor on risk mitigation and compliance with anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII, ADEA, the ADA, and the FEHA.

Experience

Ms. Massoumi is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience successfully representing government entities before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in arbitration, and in state and federal district courts.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Massoumi served as Associate Chief Counsel for the California Civil Rights Department, where she prosecuted civil rights violations on behalf of all Californians. Prior to this role, she served as Acting Supervisory Attorney, Lead Employment Counsel and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Social Security Administration, where she obtained multiple litigation victories including a bench decision in matters alleging discrimination based on religion, national origin, ethnicity, race, sex/gender, and retaliation. Ms. Massoumi is the recipient of several federal commendations recognizing her litigation skills, including the Office of General Counsel's Award.

Presenter Experience

Ms. Massoumi is an avid public speaker and has trained hundreds of public sector managers on employment law risk mitigation. Her trainings focus on the full scope of compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws and best practices for internal investigations.

Education

Ms. Massoumi earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where she served as Editor for the Women's Law Journal, earned the Prosser Prize in Clinical Advocacy for the International Human Rights Clinic, and awarded Special Honors in Clinical Trial Practice. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley where she graduated with honors.