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Jennifer B. Rubin

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[email protected]

+1.858.314.1550

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Jen draws on over 35 years of experience crafting creative legal solutions to employment challenges. She advises technology, life sciences, financial services, publishing, professional services, and health care companies seeking regulatory, litigation, and compliance advice. She also represents corporate boards in governance matters and individual executives in employment-related matters. She has an active trial practice, and gives a broad range of advice to clients regarding wage and hour matters, trade secrets and mobility disputes, workplace investigations, and the resolution of conflicts arising from the employment relationship. While Jen is a zealous advocate in the courtroom, she relishes finding practical solutions for her clients as they navigate the manner in which the employment relationship impacts their business and personal lives. 

Jen previously served on the firm’s Policy Committee and is a current Co-chair of the firm’s ESG Practice Group, which leverages her experience advising organizations and corporate boards on diversity, social, and governance issues. In addition to being ranked by Chambers USA, she is listed with the Legal 500 and has an AV Preeminent ranking from Martindale-Hubbell. 

Jen is a long-time faculty member and advisor to The Honor Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists Navy Seals and other armed services special operators transition from military service to the private sector. She serves on the executive committee of the board of directors of the USS Midway Museum and also chairs its governance committee. She is also a co-chair of the San Diego 50/50 Women on Boards Leadership Committee.

In addition to her law practice and leadership roles, Jen regularly speaks and writes about employment trends and industry-related information. She has been interviewed by numerous national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, Corporate Counsel, Law360, and American Banker.

Experience

  • Advises public and private company boards with respect to executive transition, complex employment matters, and governance-related issues.
  • Conducted multiple highly sensitive internal investigations relating to employee misconduct, alleged sexual harassment, and other compliance matters.
  • Obtained favorable arbitration award following hearing on a 10-count PAGA and wage and hour claims.
  • Obtained favorable arbitration award following hearing for executive for breach of employment contract and obtained legal fees from arbitrator and Delaware Chancery Court and sanctions against opposing party for raising frivolous defenses.
  • Obtained terminating sanctions against plaintiff asserting discrimination claims against nationally known retailer from a California Superior Court due to plaintiff’s discovery misconduct.
  • Represented multinational corporation in unique multi-party case relating to trade secrets and California’s SLAPP statute, resulting in successful outcome for client.
  • Drafts and negotiates complex equity, employment, and transaction arrangements for executives in connection with acquisitions, sales, and merger of selling and acquiring companies.
  • Negotiated significant reduction in proposed penalties in State of California against international technology company arising from contractor misclassification claims.
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viewpoints

What is ESG?

June 3, 2021 | Video | By Jennifer Rubin

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Have You Been Vaccinated? Your Employer (and Everyone Else) Wants to Know

May 17, 2021 | Blog | By Jennifer Rubin, Michael Arnold

The CDC’s recent guidance suggesting that most fully vaccinated individuals may discontinue certain safety measures, such as masking and social distancing, has created significant confusion for employers navigating conflicting and ever-changing state and local COVID-19 workplace laws, regulations and guidance. While the most recent CDC guidance endorses resuming activities (indoors and out) without masks for most fully vaccinated individuals, the guidance around vaccination verification and disparate treatment between the vaccinated and unvaccinated is still lacking. Employers are now facing these sensitive but critically important return to office issues without the benefit of critical guidance from Federal, state and local regulators. We provide some guidance below regarding vaccine verification and some considerations for employers thinking about instituting vaccine policies.
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CDC Vaccination Guidance Does Not Supersede State and Local Workplace Regulations

May 14, 2021 | Blog | By Danielle Bereznay, Jennifer Rubin, Michael Arnold, Corbin Carter

On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”) published guidance indicating that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask or physically distance in certain indoor and outdoor environments, except where otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. The guidance does not apply to healthcare settings and certain other environments.
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It’s 2021—Do You Know Where Your Employees Are?

May 5, 2021 | Blog | By Jennifer Rubin

Many employees relocated during the Covid-19 pandemic and some are expected to continue working remotely, creating complexities for employers because of state and local wage-and-hour laws and other regulations, says Mintz employment partner Jen Rubin. She explains how organizations can get a handle on where their employees are working and why they need to do so.
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Conference Recordings: Mintz's Annual Employment Law Summit

March 12, 2021 | Webinar | By Michael Arnold, David Barmak, Micha Mitch Danzig, Geri Haight, Andrew Matzkin, David Lagasse, Jennifer Rubin, Alexander Hecht, Danielle Bereznay, Delaney Busch, Corbin Carter, Emma Follansbee, Natalie C. Groot, Paul Huston, Brendan Lowd, Nicole Rivers, Richard Block

Mintz’s Annual Employment Law Summit brought together thought leaders to discuss the most pressing issues employers are facing in today’s unprecedented work environment. Attendees heard presentations on the continued impact of COVID-19; social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; recent and anticipated changes to employment laws; and best practices for managing sensitive employee situations.
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Webinar Recording: Mandatory or Voluntary Workplace Vaccination – Guidance for Employers

January 15, 2021 | Webinar | By Geri Haight, Joanne Hawana , Jennifer Rubin

Watch this webinar in which Mintz’s Employment, Labor & Benefits and Health Law attorneys and noted immunologist Dr. Darryl Carter discussed key takeaways from the EEOC’s recently updated vaccination guidance and other COVID-19–related workplace questions.
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WEBINAR REMINDER: Mandatory or Voluntary Workplace Vaccination — Guidance for Employers

January 13, 2021 | Blog | By Geri Haight, Jennifer Rubin, Joanne Hawana

Please join Mintz’s Employment, Labor & Benefits and Health Law attorneys and noted immunologist Dr. Darryl Carter for a webinar to discuss key takeaways from the EEOC’s recently updated vaccination guidance and other COVID-19–related workplace question.
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The EEOC has updated its guidance regarding mandatory vaccination in the workplace and has outlined the permissible scope of a mandatory vaccination program. While the guidance has neither the force nor application of a statute or regulation, it provides a compelling structure for a legally compliant mandatory workplace vaccination program.
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Employer Vaccine Practices May Spur Bias, Consumer Claims

December 9, 2020 | Blog | By Jennifer Rubin

Mintz Member Jennifer B. Rubin authored an article published by Law360 that examined legal challenges employers face as they contemplate the impact of the coronavirus vaccine on the workforce, and how mandatory vaccination programs may create a workforce of immuno-haves, or those who have received the vaccination, and potentially expose employers to employment and consumer claims.
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A Brief Guide to California's Latest Employer COVID-19 Reporting Obligations

December 7, 2020 | Blog | By Jennifer Rubin, Nicole Rivers

California employers are now subject to three new COVID-19 related reporting obligations when there is a COVID-19 positive employee or employees in their workplaces, including: reporting to their (1) workers’ compensation carrier, (2) employees and other workers, and (3) local public health authority. We address each obligation below.
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News & Press

Insights-card-Press-Release

Mintz has again earned top rankings in the 2026 edition of Legal 500 United States. The firm is ranked across 20 practice categories and boasts 82 recognized individual attorneys, including seven ranked as “Leading Partner,” one “Leading Associate,” and five “Next Generation Partner” designations.

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Influential Women

February 27, 2019|

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podcasts

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Mintz On Air explores how AI is reshaping board composition, director skills, governance, succession planning, and corporate strategy.

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AI’s Impact on the Attorney-Client Relationship

A Practical Policies Podcast

September 29, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Stephen Osborn

AI is changing the attorney-client relationship. Explore the risks, opportunities, and why human judgment remains essential.

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Mintz On Air explores AI in contract negotiations, covering drafting limits, legal risk, human judgment, trust, and best practices for counsel.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Truth Telling Builds Trust

August 25, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin

Learn how honest feedback builds workplace trust. This Mintz On Air podcast shares tips on empathy, timing, curiosity, and growth-focused reviews.

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Mintz On Air examines AI prompt injection risks in hiring and the workplace, covering security threats, candidate manipulation, and safeguards.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Taking Your Candidates to the Vet

July 29, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Joyce Dos Santos

Hiring risks in the AI era: avoid vetting mistakes, stay FCRA compliant, and build smart, role-based screening to prevent fraud and reduce liability.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Take a Human to Work Day

July 14, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Corbin Carter

HR and legal insights on AI in the workplace: why humans must stay in the loop, mitigate risk, and build trust through empathy, oversight, and culture.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Litigating in the AI Age

June 30, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Mathilda McGee-Tubb

Explore how AI is reshaping litigation in this Mintz On Air podcast—covering court access, discovery, strategy, risk, and why human judgment still matters.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Crisis Management: A First Hours Focus

June 9, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Marc H. Axelbaum

Crisis Management in the first hours: Mintz On Air podcast explores investigations, privilege, press strategy, and leadership decisions when allegations arise.

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Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Real vs. Robot: Bots in the Boardroom

May 19, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy

AI in the boardroom: how boards can use AI without surrendering judgment. A practical podcast on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and AI risk.

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Events & Speaking

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Sep
9
2026

Hidden Risks of AI Notetaking in the Workplace

A Lexology Masterclass

Virtual Event

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Jun
2
2026
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Jan
31
2025

DEI & Affirmative Action - A Challenge with Consequences

7th Annual All Day MCLE La-LAW-palooza

San Diego

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Nov
22
2024

Bridging the Gap Between Sponsorship and Mentorship

ALFDP Annual Conference

Los Angeles, CA

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Oct
10
2023
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Jun
15
2023
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Nov
10
2022

CRISIS in the C-Suite – A Playbook for In-House Counsel

Mintz, 3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92130

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Apr
6
2022

Telehealth Risk Management

Mintz

Online Event

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Moderator
Oct
27
2021

Legal ESG Summit

Legal ESG

Virtual Event

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Jun
23
2021

What’s New in ESG?

Corporate Director's Forum

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May
27
2021

Onboarding Diversity & Inclusion

ACC New York City

Webinar

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Nov
21
2019

The National Convention on Board Diversity

2020 Women on Boards

San Diego, CA

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Apr
30
2019
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Jan
10
2018

San Diego SHRM Law Day

San Diego Society for Human Resource Management

San Diego, CA

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Nov
17
2016

Annual Equality Survey Luncheon

Lawyers Club of San Diego: Lawyers Club Equality and Action Committee

The US Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, San Diego, California 92101

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Feb
25
2016
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Jan
28
2016

Second Annual Employment Law Summit

The Princeton Club 14 West 43rd Street, New York, New York

Moderator
Dec
3
2015

2016 HRC Corporate Quality Index

Human Rights Campaign San Diego; Qualcomm

10155 Pacific Heights Blvd., Building AZ Multipurpose Room, San Diego, CA

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Aug
4
2015

Marriage Equality Seminar

Human Rights Campaign, the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and ThermoFisher

San Diego, CA

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Mar
26
2015
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Mar
18
2015

The 6th Annual San Diego Women in Leadership Symposium

California Diversity Council

7525 Torrey Santa Fe Road, San Diego, CA 92129

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Publications

Contributor, Lawsuits Unlikely to Derail Banks’ Board-Diversity Efforts, American Banker, (December 2021)

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Recognition & Awards

  • Lawdragon: Labor & Employment, Litigation (2026)

  • Chambers USA: California, Labor & Employment (2021 – 2026)

  • Mondaq: Thought Leadership Award Winner (Autumn 2025)

  • San Diego Super Lawyers: Employment Litigation – Defense (2023 – 2025)

  • Legal 500 United States: Recognized for Workplace and Employment Counseling (2022 – 2025)

  • Corporate Counsel Business Journal: 50 Women to Watch (2023)

  • BTI Consulting: Client Service All-Star (2022)

  • San Diego Business Journal: Women of Influence in Law (2021, 2023 – 2024)

  • National Law Review: Go-To Thought Leader (2020)

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

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