EXPERIENCE
Allyson Cook recently joined the firm and has been practicing labor and employment law for over 20 years, representing private companies and public agencies. Her practice focuses on employee/labor relations, navigating the unique role of unions in public agencies as well as providing advice and counsel to employers, conducting investigations and training, and leading labor negotiations.
Ms. Cook has advised and represented public agencies in fact finding and interest arbitration. Prior to joining the firm, she served as the Deputy General Manager of the East Bay Regional Park District where she oversaw the Human Resources Division, Public Safety Division (Police, Fire, and Lifeguard Services), Finance and Management Services (Finance and IT), and Park Operations Division. She also served as the Assistant General Manager of Human Resources at the Park District overseeing the Recruitment, Benefits, Employee Labor Relations, and Training Units as well as the Risk Management Department.
Ms. Cook has served as chief negotiator for public agencies in the Bay Area successfully negotiating with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Police Officer Associations, International Association of Firefighters, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21, and management associations.
Ms. Cook received a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and was a partner for over 10 years with Burnham Brown focusing on employment defense litigation. She also worked for the City of Oakland for over seven years as a Deputy City Attorney and the Assistant Director at the Human Resources Management Department. Ms. Cook prides herself on establishing relationships with management and labor unions through a transparent, consistent, and professional approach.
Ms. Cook’s prior speaking engagements include:
- The Anatomy of a Strike, CALPELRA 2021
- The Day After: Bargaining and Fact Finding in the Aftermath of Dramatic Events, CALPELRA 2020
- Avoiding the End Run: Options for Responding to ULP’s Seeking to Circumvent Impasse and Factfinding, CALPELRA, 2019
- A Case Study: The Seven Day Strike in Oakland, CALPELRA 2018
- Grievances and Meet & Confer: Protecting the MOU and the Members, RAINS LUCIA STERN’S SYMPOSIUM, 2018