Mara B. Brandes
Profile
Mara Brandes represents and counsels employers in all aspects of employment law. Mara has represented employers before state and federal courts in matters involving discrimination, harassment, wage-and-hour issues, and unfair business practices.
Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Mara clerked for the Honorable Carolyn Kuhl in the Complex Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Mara received her J.D. degree from Loyola Law School in 2008, as a member of the Order of the Coif. As a student at Loyola, she ranked within the top 10% of her class, earning both the Dean’s Honor List and Dean’s Service Award. Mara also received First Honors Awards for earning the highest grade in five courses, including Labor Law. Mara was also a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society.
Experience
Mara has represented a wide range of employers during her tenure at Ogletree, including:
- International Airline
- Medical centers and hospitals
- Aerospace manufacturer
- Nationwide restaurant chains
- Local restaurants
- Large independent hotel management company
- Global shipping service company
- Not-for-profit organization with chapters across the nation
- One of world’s largest engineering and construction organizations
- Department store chain with over 40 billion in revenue
- Luxury watch company
- Largest used-car retailer in the United States
- National retailers and distributors
- Large insurance company
Education and Honors
J.D., cum laude, Loyola Law School, 2008
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2005
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
- Nationwide simulcast of Beverly Hills Bar Association Presentation - "When Law Firms Downsize: Racial, Gender and Age Bias Claims as Pink Slips Proliferate" - November 5, 2010
In The News
- October 2007 - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Student Journal - "Is There a Right to Die?"
California
U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California


