Desert Cities Mediation

Mediator/Arbitrator Profile 

22+ years of prior practice as an attorney in the field of labor and employment relations and in represention of both plaintiff and defense interests in a wide range of civil litigation matters has built a strong background for Ms. Copeland's arbitration and mediation services.  She brings her experience as a labor negotiator, as an attorney in labor and employment grievances, hearings and arbitrations and in litigation involving complex environmental torts, homeowner associations, real estate, and corporate disputes to the process.  Ms. Copeland has appeared by amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court, and has successfully argued before the California Supreme Court and the California Court of Appeal. 

For Information About Scheduling A Mediation or Arbitration click here. 

Education and Training:
 

B.S. Western State University College of Law, 1987

J.D. Western State University College of Law, 1988 Summa Cum Laude, Salutatorian

Litigating the Mediated Case, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law – November 2008

Alternative Dispute Resolution, University of California at Riverside - May 2008 

Published Appellate Cases:

Engine Manufacturers Association v. South Coast Air Quality Management District et al. (2004) 541 U.S. 246, 124 S.Ct. 1756, 158 L.Ed.2d 529 – amicus brief for SunLine Transit Agency

Coachella Valley Mosquito And Vector Control District, v. California Public Employment Relations Board and California School Employees Association (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1072

Waste Management of the Desert Inc. v. Palm Springs Recycling Center, Inc. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 478

Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District et. al. v. City of Indio (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 12

California Ranch Homes Development Company of Hemet v. San Jacinto Unified School District  (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 573

Publications:

Copeland, MMBA Unfair Practices Restricted to Six-Month Statute of Limitations (February 2004) No. 164, California Public Employee Relations Journal.

Copeland, The California Supreme Court Overturns Practice of the Public Employment Relations Board Applying a Three Years Statute of Limitation to Unfair Practice Charges Filed Under the Meyers-Milias Brown Act, (2005), Vol. 19, No. 4, California Labor & Employment L.Rev., 11, 33.

Professional Affiliations:

Member of The California Bar Association, The Desert Bar Association, the Employment Law Section of the State Bar of California, Member Southern California Mediation Association

Other Affiliations:

The Community Associations Institute, The California Desert Association of Realtors