Shayna Fernandez Watts, J.D., M. Ed.

EDUCATION  

Stanford University – Bachelor of the Arts, Human Biology, 06/04

• President of Senior Class; President of Junior Class; Vice-President of Sophomore Class; Alternative Spring Break Program – San Francisco (03/02) and New York (03/03); Academic Excellence Award, El Centro Chicano.

University of Texas, Pan American – Master of Education, 06/06

University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law – Doctor of Jurisprudence, 05/09

• Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition – Oral Advocate, 2008; President (08/09), Law Women’s Association; Treasurer (07/08) and Representative (06/07), Student Bar Association; Representative (08/09), Latino Law Student Association; Dean’s Academic Achievement Award; Volunteer Lawyers Program Committee; Contracts and Criminal Law Tutor.

EXPERIENCE

Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ (05/18-10/20)

Ballard Spahr LLP, Phoenix, AZ (04/16-5/18)

Bryan Cave, LLP, Phoenix, AZ (01/10-04/16)

Clerkship, Hon. Sarah Simmons, Superior Court, Tucson, AZ (08/07-12/07)

Law Clerk, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Division, Washington, DC (06/07-08/07)

Teacher, Sauceda Middle School, Donna, TX (08/04-05/06)

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Best Lawyers in America – Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021, 2022)

Super Lawyers Recognition (2012-2022)

Hispanic National Bar Association Top 40 Attorney Award (2019)

Top 50 Pro Bono Attorney Award for Arizona (2018)

Bar Leadership Institute, State Bar of Arizona (2017)

BOARDS  

State Bar of Arizona Appointment’s Committee (2018-2020)

Arizona Science Center, Trustee (2017-present); AZ Science Fair Committee (2019)

Los Abogados Board of Directors (2017-2020), Executive Board and Treasurer (2020, 2021), President (2022)

MCBA Employment Law Section, Board of Directors (2017)

PUBLICATIONS  

The Balanced Eye of Justice. AZ Attorney Magazine. (6/19)

Implementing Lawful Workplace Policies and Complying with the NLRA. APMA Magazine. (2/19) ACC Magazine. (8/19)

Commercial Drones: Certification, Airworthiness, Safety. AZ Attorney Magazine. (12/17)

A Practical Guide for Commercial Drone Use. BOMA Magazine. (2/17)

ARTICLES/PRESENTATIONS  

Utilizing a Declaration of Independent Business Status for Independent Contractors. (6/20)

Are Your Workers Independent Contractors or Employees? (6/20)

Arizona Employer Response to COVID-19. (3/20)

Mean Bosses, Bullies, and Bias. (8/19 & 2/20)

Legal Changes in the #MeToo Era. (6/19)

Restricting Employee Speech. (5/19)

Marijuana: Beware of the pot holes! (10/18)

Earned Paid Sick Leave Pursuant to Proposition 206 – Comply by July! (2/17)

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): What Employers Need to Know. (11/16)

Social Media: Risks and How to Avoid Them. (10/11)

Creating a Social Media Policy as a Communications Executive. (6/10)

What General Counsel Need to Know About Social Media Policies. (5/10)

SUPER LAWYERS RATED: 

2022 Southwest Rising Stars

2021 Southwest Rising Stars

2020 Southwest Rising Stars

2019 Southwest Rising Stars

2018 Southwest Rising Stars

2017 Southwest Rising Stars

2016 Southwest Rising Stars

2015 Southwest Rising Stars

2014 Southwest Rising Stars

2013 Southwest Rising Stars

2012 Southwest Rising Stars