Shayna Fernandez Watts, J.D., M. Ed.
Shayna takes pride in being able to counsel her clients to achieve favorable outcomes regarding employment law issues. She represents her clients in lawsuits for wrongful termination, failure to pay wages and overtime, discrimination, harassment, and similar employment law claims.
She has extensive experience with claims brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disability Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employment Protection Act, the Fair Wages and Healthy Family Act, Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Act, and the Drug Testing in Employment Act. To further protect Arizona’s employers and employees, Shayna prepares written policies and procedures typically found in an employee handbook, and regularly reviews and drafts employment related contracts such as non-disclosure agreements, employment and 1099 agreements, severance agreements with restrictive covenants, and joint employer agreements.
Shayna also works with Arizona’s employers to create and maintain a workplace where all employees feel comfortable and can do their best work, driving revenue and benefiting both employer and employee. To achieve that goal, and using her background as a teacher, Shayna provides in-house training to employers (manager and/or employee level) that is direct, and results driven. These training sessions focus on preventing discrimination, harassment, or a hostile work environment.
EDUCATION
Stanford University – Bachelor of the Arts, Human Biology, 06/04
At Stanford, Shayna served as a Senior Class President, a Junior Class President, and a Sophomore Class Vice-President. The most impactful experience she had at Stanford was spending her Spring Breaks doing community service with Stanford’s Alternative Spring Break Program, where she went to San Francisco one year, and New York the next, working on issues regarding women’s rights and harm reduction programs. She received the Academic Excellence Award from El Centro Chicano in 2004.
University of Texas, Pan American – Master of Education, 06/06
While teaching with Teach for America which she did for 2 years prior to law school, Shayna earned a Masters Degree in Education to best serve her students and utilize the latest teaching techniques and theories. While teaching, she served as the Student Government Sponsor and was Social Studies Department Head.
University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law – Doctor of Jurisprudence, 05/09
While in law school, Shayna competed in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and received the Oral Advocate Award in 2008. She served as President, Treasurer and Representative of the Law Women’s Association, and as a Class Representative for the Latino Law Student Association. She received the Dean’s Academic Achievement Award, participated in the Volunteer Lawyer Program Committee, was a Contracts Tutor and a Criminal Law Tutor.
Best Lawyers in America
LitigationLabor and Employment
(2021 – Present)
Super Lawyers Recognition (2012-Present)
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)
Adjunct Professor of Law, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Arizona State University (2021 – Present)
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)
“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)
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)
Best Law Firms
2024 / 2023 / 2022
Super Lawyers Rated
2024 Southwest Super Lawyer 2023 Southwest Super Lawyer 2022-2012 Southwest Rising Stars
