Gayley Buckner

Gayley Buckner is a partner based in the Los Angeles office and admitted to practice in both New York and California. She obtained her BA from New York University in English Literature and her JD from Fordham University School of Law at Lincoln Center, where she served on the Urban Law Journal. Prior to coming to Zelms Erlich Lenkov, Gayley practiced law with a boutique firm specializing in labor and employment law, as well as business law. Gayley worked on transactional matters and litigation for large and small employers in diverse industries. Some of these industries include food and beverage (including restaurant and import/export), cosmetic, entertainment, construction, and real estate, as well as many others. For her manufacturing clients, she has also handled shipping, sales, manufacturing and related contracts, as well as issues arising out of those relationships including, trucking accidents and product liability. In the business arena, Gayley has successfully litigated actions stemming from failed business partnerships and has negotiated numerous employment and severance agreements, including several severance agreements resulting from the merger of large corporations.

At Zelms Erlich, Gayley continues to advise and defend employers in matters concerning claims of wage and hour/PAGA violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination in violation of California law. In addition to her litigation practice, Gayley handles administrative matters, counseling and defending clients on charges and complaints pending before state agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Gayley also provides strategic advice to human resources regarding personnel management, requests for reasonable accommodation, performance evaluations and disciplinary measures, terminations, and general risk management, as well as drafting employment and severance agreements for her clients. She is also a guest speaker at the Institute of Culinary Education in Pasadena, California, speaking to classes about restaurant management from a legal perspective.

In addition to her employment practice, Gayley represents licensees in a variety of industries. Gayley began her legal career, and worked for many years, handling professional liability cases, representing a wide range of professionals, including accountants, real estate brokers, escrow officers, and many others. She handled these cases from inception to trial and also worked on appeals. At Zelms Erlich Lenkov, Gayley is again enjoying representing licensees.

Gayley has grown in the entertainment industry and served as Vice President of a television production company for many years. She continues to consult for them, as well as other entertainment clients. Ms. Buckner enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.