Traci M. Hinden
Top rated Employment Litigation attorney in San Francisco, California
Law Offices of Traci M. Hinden
Practice areas: Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, Personal Injury
Licensed in California since: 2005
Education: Southwestern Law School
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2022, 2024 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2010, 2012 - 2020 
Free Consultation Law Offices of Traci M. Hinden
1 Sansome StreetSuite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: 415-781-3030 Email: Traci M. Hinden Visit website
Details
Ms. Hinden grew up in a family of lawyers and advocates for the underdogs of the world. Ms. Hinden's practice focuses primarily on: plaintiff's side employment and civil rights claims (including harassment, retaliation, discrimination, whistle-blowing, wage theft, defamation and privacy claims- for individuals and on a class basis), and personal injury plaintiffs. Ms. Hinden believes in those seen as having a small voice and enjoys giving them a much louder projection. She regularly represents and advocates for disabled persons and persons of other suspect classes (those who have been discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender, or gender identity, national origin, veteran status, denial of leave to take care of self or another) regarding their rights at work. Ms. Hinden has been selected to the Superlawyer’s list for Plaintiff’s employment law 2021, 2022 and previously made the Rising Stars list in 2009, 2010, 2012- 2020 as well as Rising Star's Top female attorneys of 2014. She holds a 10.0 "superb" rating out of 10 on www.avvo.com. Ms. Hinden is also certified as a mediator. Her pronouns are: She, her, hers, ella. Ms. Hinden's clients are those who would never have sued except they were left with no choice. She believes in giving them back their power.
First Admitted: 2005, California
Professional Webpage: https://hindenlaw.com/about-traci-2/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Member of California Employment Lawyers Association, Former Co-chair of Mentor Committee for 6 years. Current member of the Legislative and Former member of Education Committees of CELA, 2007
- Former Member San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association- 2011-2020, 2011
- Former Co-Chair of Cabal- a Bay Area Plaintiff's Employment group, Cabal, or PELA= Plaintiff's Employment Lawyers Association. Current member, Co-Chair 2017-2022 , 2011
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Small Wage theft and disability discrimination FEHA on Back wages only due to client's status. $84,369.52, 2021
- Turhal vs. City and County of San Francisco and BART, Personal injury Slip and fall. $199, 998.00, 2019
- Confidential Personal Injury- TBI settlement 690,000.00, 2019
- Catherine Maloy vs. BCH Sierra Vista Hospital, plaintiff accepted Defendant's 998 a couple of weeks before trial which was: $500,001.00 + Reasonable Attorneys fees, 34-201600192664; Sacramento Superior Court, 2017
- Lopez vs. Rangel Signature Inc, et al; Plaintiff's counsel was awarded 112,001.00 in attorneys' fees and costs, Traci Hinden was awarded $585 per hour, RG 15778496, Alameda County Superior, 2016
- Wage theft and Disability Discrimination FEHA on back wages only- Confidential Settlement $85,000.00, 2015
- Mejia vs. Prologix Distribution Services (West) approved fees in a class case of $232,500.00, before class cert, along with Chavez and Gertler, LP, with Traci Hinden being approved at $555 per hour. RG12640974 Alameda Superior Court, 2014
- Moss-Clark et. al vs. New way Services Inc, et al, Class Action fee award, pre cert, Ms. Hinden was awarded $525.00 per hour. C12-01391; Superior Court of Contra Costa, 2013
- Wilkerson vs. BCI Coca Cola Bottling Company, FEHA disability discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in interactive process. $350,000.00, 2012
- Wage theft and FEHA Discrimination Confidential settlement $120,000.00, 2012
- Coronado vs. R.E. Maher, Inc., attorneys' fee award of pre-cert class matter $250,000.000. Ms. Hinden's Rate was approved at $400.00 per hour. RG11-594596, Superior Court of Alameda County, 2012
- Confidential FEHA Settlement $500,000.00, 2008
Videos:
- Protected classifications and their connection to suing for workplace harassment. What is needed to sue for workplace harassment or hostile work environment. , Do I need to be in a protected class in order to sue for harassment?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Advice on how to respond to harassment in the workplace. , I believe I’m being harassed at work. What should I do?, Employment, Employee Rights
- What to do in documenting workplace harassment. , How should I document my workplace harassment?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Explanation of what is the basis for a discrimination, retaliation or harassment lawsuit. Case must be based on one of these protections to sue., What is a protected class?, Employment, Employee Rights, Civil Rights
- Discussion over the jerky boss, who is not harassing based on protected classification and whether its an employment case. , My boss is a complete jerk who makes my life miserable at work. Can I sue for harassment?, Employment, Employee Rights
- What to do when being harassed., I’m being harassed. Should I just quit?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Discussion regarding workplace harassment, complaints and job protections., I’m worried that if I complain about workplace harassment, I’ll lose my job. What if any protections do I have?, Employment, Employee Rights
- What to do when not paid Overtime., What if I’m not paid the overtime I deserve?, Employment, Employee Rights
- General discussion of California Overtime. Some industries have specific hours and some of those industries, are changing yearly per statute, those are not discussed in this brief overview., When am I owed overtime pay?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Discussion about when severance pay comes into play, If I am laid off, am I entitled to severance pay?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Discussion regarding Employee rights as to Overtime pay and retaliation. , I’m afraid that if I complain about not receiving overtime pay, I could lose my job., Employment, Employee Rights
- Brief discussion on when interns need to be paid., I work as an unpaid intern. Is that legal for my employer to not pay me?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Advice on how to negotiate for a severance., How do I negotiate for severance pay?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Advise on when obligated to advise on need for accommodation, When should I tell my employer I have restrictions or a disability that needs to be accommodated?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Brief description on accommodations in the workplace., What is meant by workplace “accommodation”?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Explanation of what a reasonable accommodation is in the workplace., What is a reasonable accommodation?, Employment, Employee Rights
- This video clips gives an employee a brief look on next steps after losing their job and what they should do next., I just lost my job, what should I do?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Brief overview of Pregnancy rights of workers., Pregnant in the workplace. What are my rights?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Video provides a brief look on rights of employee related to religion and prayer and observance of holidays., My religion requires me to pray during work and observe religious holidays. What are my Rights?, Employment, Employee Rights
- Where do you see discrimination?
Representative Clients:
- Hicks vs. Moheb, DMD, Inc. employees of dental offices not receiving all meal periods, small paga group for 2 years, 55k,, 2019
- Mejia vs. Prologix Distribution Services (West) approved fees in a class case of $232,500.00, before class cert, along with Chavez and Gertler, LP, with Traci Hinden being approved at $555 per hour. RG12640974 Alameda Superior Court, 2014
- Moss-Clark et. al vs. New way Services Inc, et al, Class Action fee award, pre cert, Ms. Hinden was awarded $525.00 per hour. C12-01391; Superior Court of Contra Costa, 2013
- Coronado vs. R.E. Maher, Inc., attorneys' fee award of pre-cert class matter $250,000.000. Ms. Hinden's Rate was approved at $400.00 per hour. RG11-594596, Superior Court of Alameda County, 2012
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Certified Mediator (Ron Kelly's Course Presented by the Bar Association of San Francisco and Co-Sponsored by the Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo County Bar Associations, and the ADR Sections of Marin and Sonoma County Bar Associations).
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Participated in VLSP's pro bono program and successfully negotiated with a landlord to allow her client to stay in his apartment in San Francisco, 2008
Honors/Awards:
- Honors Trial Advocacy Program, Southwestern University School of Law
Educational Background:
- Obtained Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Occidental College, in Los Angeles, California
White Papers:
- A brief discussion regarding functional capacity assessments which are ordinarily used in Workers Compensation to measure residual functional capacity post injury and the impact of such assessments for disabled employees attempting to return to work., How Functional Capacity Assessment Impacts Third Party Litigation, 2009
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Panelist at the annual conference of Applicant (plaintiff) workers' compensation lawyers, covered workers who had disabilities and injuries as a result of workers' compensation and before being injured on the job and how to accommodate and handle those claims while they worked from home. , Panelist, Remote Work injuries: What you need to know!, CAAA, Employee Rights, Injured Workers, 2022
- Advising this body of lawyers on the cross-over areas of workers' compensations and Employment law., Solo panelist, When to Get your Clients an Employment Lawyer, CAAA- Santa clara chapter, Applicant Or Plaintiff Workers' Compensation Lawyers, 2021
- Discussion on what not to do in the workplace, from both employee and employer side. , Panelist on a Radio Show, What not to do in the Workplace, KALW, Entire Bay Area That Has Access To The Radio Broadcast, 2019
- Radio show with myself and a workers' compensation lawyer answering questions about rights of an employee after having an injury, Panelist on Radio show, Your Legal Rights: Employment Rights after a Workplace Injury, KALW, Entire Bay Area That Had Access To Public Radio, 2019
- Overview on rights now that Marijuana was legal in California and how if it at all that impacted employment rights since this change post the Cal Supreme Court case stating its lawful to fire an employee who tests positive., Interviewed, Weed in the Workplace: What are California Employers’ Rights?, The Recorder, All Employers, 2018
- May 2016, Traci Hinden was speaker on the Panel for California Orthopaedic Association on panel entitled: “QME Medical Ethics: How to stay out of Trouble,” with proscutor from the DWC, Winslow West, Esq. , Panelist, QME Medical Ethics: How to stay out of Trouble, California Orthopaedic Association, 2016
- September 2016, Traci Hinden was the moderator on a panel for the California Employment Lawyers Association called “Prosecuting and Prevailing in a Failure to Accommodate Case,” Panelists were Superlawyer, Joan Herrington and Darryl Lucien, Moderator, Prosecuting and Prevailing in a Failure to Accommodate Case, 2016
- May 2017, Traci Hinden spoke at the California Orthopaedic Association’s Annual Conference on: How to Stay Out of Trouble and Keep Your QME Certification! Click here for details., Panelist, How to Stay Out of Trouble and Keep Your QME Certification!, California Orthopaedic Association, 2017
- Panelist at WILG on employment and workers’ compensation crossover “Identifying Employment issues in your Workers Comp cases. How WC and Employment lawyers can work together. Spoke with Superlawyer, Barry Hinden, Panelist, Identifying Employment issues in your Workers Comp cases, WILG, Workers Compensation, Injured Workers And Employee Rights, 2015
- Disability Discrimination and Workers Compensation Crossover, Panelist, Traps for the Unwary, State Bar Of California, 2015
- QME Ethics and Compliance, Panelist, QME Ethics and Compliance, 2015
- Discussion for QMEs of their obligations, Panelist, The Nuts and Bolts of Workers' Comp, CSIMS, 2015
- Speaker on Panel, Employer's Concerns after SB 863, Winter Conference, CAAA, 2014
- Speaker on Panel, Marketing your Law Practice, CELA, 2014
- Panel addressed all topics of Compelling Discovery, mostly in State Court. This included, the motion writing & the practices leading up to the need to make such filings., Panelist, CEB's Strategic Tips for Compelling Discovery responses, CEB, 2014
- Sole Presenter, Employee Rights and Crossover between Employment and Workers' Compensation, CAAA, 2013
- Speaker, https://csims.org/home/events, CSIMS 2013 Annual Conference, CSMIS, 2013
- Panelist & Moderator for demonstrating skills and teaching and mentoring newer attorney's practice workshop, Panelist & Moderator, CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION Deposition Skills: A Practical Workshop, California Employment Lawyers Association, 2012
- Panelist speaker for annual convention, Panelist, Fee Schedule Update, Billing & Collections, California Society Of Industrial Medicine & Surgery, 2012
- Annual Conference, Speaker on Billing and Collection for Medical Providers in Workers Compensation, Panelist, CSIMS, 2011
- Spoke on Pleadings, Panelist, CEB, 2011
- Spoke on Crossover panel of Workers Compensation and Employment Law, Panelist, San Mateo Bar Association, 2011
- Interviewed about employment claims on the radio., Interviewee, August 10, 2011 - On the Headlines Business News Update on KSFO AM 560: regarding Employee's Rights!, 2011
- Panelist, BILLING, COLLECTIONS, ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS, EAMS, California Society Of Industrial Medicine, 2010
- The panel was a crossover discussion between Disability Discrimination in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation. Ms. Hinden was the moderator and fielded questions to the practitioners in both Employment Law & Workers' Compensation and also shared her opinions and experiences. She set the program agenda and written materials., Moderator, How we can help each other, California Employment Lawyers Association, 2010
- LEARNING TO BE ANEFFECTIVE NEGOTIATOR, Presenter, Maximize your Collections, Lien Seminar, CAAA, 2010
- What injured workers should know to avoid losing their jobs and how to prepare for coming back to work after injury., Author, How Injured Workers Can Help Themselves in Getting Back to Work, Medlegal Magazine, 2010
- Functional Capacity evaluations help a disabled person undertand what tasks they can actually perform. This helps an employee and their employer what accommodations the employee may need., Author, How a Functional Capacity Assessment Impacts Third Party Litigation, Medlegal Mazagine, 2009
Industry Groups:
- CAALA
- CELA
- PELA/ CABAL
Office location for Traci M. Hinden
1 Sansome Street
Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94104
Selections
4 Years Super Lawyers
11 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2022, 2024 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2010, 2012 - 2020