Savvy litigation counsel for employment matters and unique actions brought against universities

Joanne Buser is a seasoned litigator who advises employers in a variety of industries, including banking, consumer products/retail and higher education. Her practice includes:

• Employment law counseling
• Employment litigation
• Investigations of employee complaints
• Higher education litigation

Joanne prides herself on providing timely, practical advice to employers concerning employee disputes of all kinds, and she works to help clients find creative solutions to common challenges and ways to leverage litigation to an employer's advantage. In the university space, she brings deep knowledge of the laws and regulations governing higher education and an excellent track record of defeating student lawsuits, including writ petitions and appeals.

As the San Diego office managing partner, Joanne takes pride in promoting a colorful office culture that fosters fun, authenticity and inclusivity.

Bar Admissions

• California
• New York

Education

• Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Certificate, Quarles & Brady Leadership Program (2025)

• University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 2006)

• University of Michigan (B.A., 2001)
  • History

• "ADA Burden-of-Proof Answers From 9th Circ"
• "Declawing the Cat's Paw Doctrine in Discrimination Cases"
• "Reading Between The Lines Of San Francisco's Retail Rules"
• "Systemic Discrimination: Responding to EEOC Investigations and Litigation"
• "Title IX Enforcement in the #Me Too Era"
• 'How To Terminate Employees You're '"Just Not That Into"'
• I Say a Little Prayer for You: Religious Expression and Accommodations in the Workplace
• The Supreme Court Further Restricts the Use of Race in College Admissions; Its Decision May Also Impact Employers and Government Contractors

Seminar

• 26th Annual Paul Plevin Quarles Employment Law Update
• 27th Annual Paul Plevin Quarles Employment Law Update
• A Beautiful Mind: Unconscious Bias and Neurodivergence
• Creating an Inclusive Workforce for LGBTQ Employees
• Employee Mobility: Immigration and Benefits Issues to Consider for a Remote and Mobile Workforce
• Equal Employment Jeopardy
• I Say a Little Prayer for You: Religious Accommodations in the Workplace
• I Say a Little Prayer For You: Religious Expression And Accommodation
• ICYMI: Embracing Generational Differences in the Way We Work and Think
• Lawful Conduct That Causes Lawsuits
• Proven Strategies to Increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at your Workplace
• Quarles' 17th Annual Specialized CLE for In‑House Counsel
• Strategic Corporate Counsel Partnerships with Outside Counsel
• Take a Chance on Me: Best Hiring, Recruiting and Background-Check Practices
• Take A Chance On Me: Hiring, Recruiting, And Background-Check Best Practices