Southern California 714-573-0900

Steven Montanez

Of Counsel

714-573-0900 phone

714-573-0998 fax

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PRACTICE AREAS

Mr. Montanez provides counsel to school district clients in a variety of areas, including personnel matters dealing with classified and certificated employees, labor relations, negotiations, grievance handling, employee discipline, and student matters.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Mr. Montanez had a career in human resources for 15 years prior to law school.  He worked in human resources in the private sector, including Human Resources Director for Charter Oak Hospital, Personnel Supervisor for Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Employee Relations Manager for CIGNA, and Personnel Relations Manager for Security Pacific Bank.

Since 1997, Mr. Montanez has provided guidance and counsel in the areas of labor relations, employment, negotiations, and grievance handling.  He has provided counsel to clients regarding interpretation of bargaining agreements for both classified and certificated employees, interest-based bargaining, and conflict resolution.  Mr. Montanez has extensive experience working with K-12 school districts and community college districts that have a Personnel Commission.  Mr. Montanez has appeared before the Public Employment Relations Board (“PERB”), defending school districts from allegations of an unfair labor practice.

Mr. Montanez is considered an expert in student matters, including issues of discipline, residency, compulsory school attendance, grade change, challenges to pupil records, and complaints filed under the uniform complaint procedure.  He has a solid history of working with child welfare and attendance departments. He is also experienced in handling parent complaints against district personnel and programs and allegations of discrimination.

Mr. Montanez has provided in-service presentations and training to school district clients.  Training topics have included sexual harassment, employee evaluations, employee discipline, handling subpoena requests, and disclosure of public records.

Mr. Montanez's legal experience includes civil litigation, personnel/labor relations, employee training and development, and student matters. Prior to his partnership at Parker & Covert LLP, he was employed as an associate at Parker, Covert & Childster from 1997 to 2006; Bolden & Martin in 1997; Schell & Delamer from 1995 to 1997; and Hamrick, Garrotto, Briskin & Pene from 1993 to 1995.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Member, Orange County Bar Association
  • Member, Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
  • Speaking Engagements
    • AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.
    • Invited presenter at Southern California Personnel Commissioners' Association Conference in Indian Wells, 2000: “Performance Evaluations and Discipline.”
    • Invited presenter at Management Team Retreat, Val Verde Unified School District, San Diego, 2000: “Individual Liability for Harassment.”
    • Invited presenter at Management Team Workshop, Long Beach Community College District, Long Beach, 2001: “Impasse Resolution Procedures” and “Fact-Finding Procedures Under the EERA.”

EDUCATION

  • Juris Doctor, Southwestern University School of Law, 1993
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences, Occidental College, 1975, Ford Foundation Scholarship Recipient
  • Associate in Arts, Rio Hondo College
  • Steven is a proud alumni of Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California

Full Service. Statewide.

Parker and Covert LLP, through its Northern and Southern California offices, provides comprehensive legal representation to school districts, community colleges, and other educational clients in communities throughout the state of California.

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