Photo of Clarisse C. Petersen

Clarisse C. Petersen is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, defamation, disability-related claims, and wage-and-hour violations.

Clarisse is a fierce advocate for employers and strives to connect with her clients to understand their story, their people, and their vision—which, in turn, allows her to craft thoughtful and practical solutions tailored to the client’s goals. Whenever possible, her advice to clients weaves in the same core values and collaborative environment that Jackson Lewis thrives on to this day.

Clarisse is an experienced litigator with a proven track record of success both inside and outside the courtroom. She has secured defense verdicts at trial and arbitration, achieved summary judgment or adjudication on her cases, and resolved contentious disputes for less than the client’s authority or potential exposure.

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the administrative agency charged with enforcing the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), has released new documentation for Family and Medical Leave that reflects the expansion of CFRA which went into effect on January 1, 2021.

These new documents include the required poster for employers for both Family