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Education
University of Arizona College of Law, J.D., 2000
University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., 1996
Memberships
BAR ADMISSIONS
California
MEMBERSHIPS
State Bar of California
Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Rafael’s practice is focused exclusively on representation of employers in employment and complex litigation matters. He advises and represents clients in wage & hour actions, administrative investigations, sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and collective bargaining. Rafael’s expertise includes wage and hour class actions, PAGA actions, and other complex employment litigation.
Rafael serves as legal counsel for the Grower Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties representing growers, farm labor contractors, and shippers throughout California. Other major clients served include those in hospitality, education, financial services, food and beverage, and healthcare.
Rafael joined Mullen & Henzell after serving as an attorney and hearing officer with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, Region 21 in Los Angeles. He takes pride in providing a preemptive approach to litigation by educating clients and offering practical, cost-effective solutions to legal problems.
Rafael is bilingual (English/Spanish).
Community Involvement
2005-2018 – Instructor and lecturer of various employment law courses at the University of California Santa Barbara, Human Resources and Paralegal programs
2005-2011 – Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Santa Barbara Bar Association
Board Member as legal counsel for the Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
Board Member – Santa Barbara Foundation, Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands/Ventura YMCA
Frequent lecturer on employment law issues for a number of legal and human resources organizations