Retained Expert Witness for California Employment Litigation
Laurie Chua is a trial-tested California HR Expert Witness retained in 55+ employment matters across California state and federal courts. With 30+ years of HR leadership experience, she provides objective, evidence-based expert opinions for both plaintiff and defense counsel in cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, disability accommodation (ADA/FEHA), leave compliance (FMLA/CFRA/PDL), wage and hour disputes, and wrongful termination. Known for analyzing not just policy — but patterns, documentation, and decision-making — to determine whether employment actions meet the California standard of care.
Credentials
Credentials History
- SHRM-SCP · SPHR-CA · SPHR · PHR
- 55+ cases retained — California state and federal courts
- 5 trial testimonies
- 3 arbitration testimonies
- 25+ depositions
- Retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel
- 30+ years HR leadership
- HRCI and SHRM Certification Preparation Facilitator Globally with over 200 participants since 2012
- Former HR Knowledge Advisor, SHRM (3,500+ compliance inquiries/year)
- Former Regional Director, California Employers Association
- HR Leader roles at Websense, Pfizer La Jolla R&D, Dell Computers
- SHRM member since 1992
- an Diego SHRM (SDSHRM) — member since 2001; VP of Conferences 2015–2016
- San Diego Bar Association — Diversity Committee member
California HR-EQ Employment Compliance Certificate Program
Laurie Chua is the creator of the California HR-EQ Employment Compliance Program — a structured certification program designed to help HR professionals and employers build defensible HR practices in California.The 2026 program covers California-specific employment law, documentation standards, leave compliance (FMLA/CFRA/PDL), harassment prevention, disability accommodation, and the four pillars of HR defensibility: documentation, consistency, timing, and process.
Designed for HR professionals, people managers, and in-house counsel seeking practical, actionable compliance strategies grounded in how employment decisions are actually evaluated in California litigation.
Designed for HR professionals, people managers, and in-house counsel seeking practical, actionable compliance strategies grounded in how employment decisions are actually evaluated in California litigation.
Public Speaking
- Extensive teaching and public speaking experience presenting onsite management training seminars, conferences, webinars on sexual harassment, discrimination, disabilities in the workplace, as well as other programs focused on compliance.
- Presented the SHRM Certification course globally to prepare HR professionals to sit for the intensive SHRM certification exam.
- Highly skilled presenting the required AB1825 California's Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prevention training.
- Experienced and comfortable explaining California and Federal Employment Law in depositions and in front of a jury.
What does a California HR Expert Witness do?
A California HR Expert Witness reviews employment records, policies, and decision-making practices to provide an independent opinion on whether an employer's actions met the applicable standard of care under California law — including FEHA, CFRA, ADAAA, and applicable wage and hour regulations. They may provide written expert reports, deposition testimony, arbitration testimony, or trial testimony.
What types of cases does Laurie Chua take?Laurie is retained in employment matters involving harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, disability accommodation (ADA/FEHA), leave compliance (FMLA/CFRA/PDL), negligent hiring and retention, wage and hour disputes, and workplace investigations. She is available to both plaintiff and defense counsel.
What is the difference between an HR Expert Witness and an employment attorney?An HR Expert Witness provides testimony about HR practices, documentation standards, and whether an employer followed reasonable HR procedures — not legal strategy. Laurie's expert opinions are grounded in 30+ years of active HR practice, not legal theory. She helps the trier of fact understand what a reasonable HR professional would have done in the same situation.
Does Laurie Chua accept cases outside San Diego?
Yes. Laurie is retained in matters throughout California in both state and federal courts.
Is Laurie available to both plaintiff and defense counsel?
Yes. Laurie is retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel and provides objective, evidence-based analysis regardless of which side engages her.
What is the California HR-EQ Compliance Certificate Program?
The California HR-EQ Employment Compliance Certificate Program is a professional development program created by Laurie Chua to help HR professionals and employers build defensible HR practices under California law. It covers wage & hour, documentation, leave compliance, disability accommodation, harassment prevention, and the four factors of HR defensibility: documentation, consistency, timing, and process.
A California HR Expert Witness reviews employment records, policies, and decision-making practices to provide an independent opinion on whether an employer's actions met the applicable standard of care under California law — including FEHA, CFRA, ADAAA, and applicable wage and hour regulations. They may provide written expert reports, deposition testimony, arbitration testimony, or trial testimony.
What types of cases does Laurie Chua take?Laurie is retained in employment matters involving harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, disability accommodation (ADA/FEHA), leave compliance (FMLA/CFRA/PDL), negligent hiring and retention, wage and hour disputes, and workplace investigations. She is available to both plaintiff and defense counsel.
What is the difference between an HR Expert Witness and an employment attorney?An HR Expert Witness provides testimony about HR practices, documentation standards, and whether an employer followed reasonable HR procedures — not legal strategy. Laurie's expert opinions are grounded in 30+ years of active HR practice, not legal theory. She helps the trier of fact understand what a reasonable HR professional would have done in the same situation.
Does Laurie Chua accept cases outside San Diego?
Yes. Laurie is retained in matters throughout California in both state and federal courts.
Is Laurie available to both plaintiff and defense counsel?
Yes. Laurie is retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel and provides objective, evidence-based analysis regardless of which side engages her.
What is the California HR-EQ Compliance Certificate Program?
The California HR-EQ Employment Compliance Certificate Program is a professional development program created by Laurie Chua to help HR professionals and employers build defensible HR practices under California law. It covers wage & hour, documentation, leave compliance, disability accommodation, harassment prevention, and the four factors of HR defensibility: documentation, consistency, timing, and process.