Overview
Overview
Margaret (“Margi”) C. Bell is a founding member of Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead and has been specializing in all aspects of employment law for over 25 years. She provides representation for employers who are sued for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other related issues. In recent years, Ms. Bell has spent an increasing part of her practice serving as an independent workplace investigator for private and public sector employers. Ms. Bell also provides proactive counseling and a highly energetic and interactive training program on preventing unlawful harassment in the workplace, in compliance with the California mandatory training provisions.
Ms. Bell has also been awarded the distinction of being an Association of Workplace Investigators certificate holder.
Prior to founding LBBK, Ms. Bell was a shareholder at a national employment law firm and a partner at a national full-service firm, co-chairing its employment group in San Diego.
Outside of LBBK, Ms. Bell spends time with her husband and four grown and nearly grown children. She also enjoys competitive running, hiking, and traveling.
Honors, Awards, Recognitions
Honors, Awards, Recognitions
- Women of Influence in Law, Honoree, San Diego Business Journal (2023)
- Business Women of the Year Awards, Finalist, San Diego Business Journal (2023)
- Best Lawyers in America (2023)
- Super Lawyers of San Diego in the area of Labor and Employment law, Super Lawyers® (2009 – 2023)
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards, Martindale-Hubbell
- Top 10 Lawyers in San Diego, Super Lawyers® (2012)
- Top 50 Lawyers in San Diego, Super Lawyers® (2011 – 2014)
- Top 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego, Super Lawyers® (2010 – 2014)
- Top Attorney in the area of labor and employment law, San Diego Daily Transcript (2010)
- Women Who Mean Business, San Diego Business Journal (2010)
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
- Ms. Bell has spoken at local, state, and national conferences and for human resources and law school courses. Some examples are as follows:
- Disability Discrimination Law and Related Trends in the Workplace, SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition (2014)
- Training for Compliance and Litigation Avoidance: Everything the HR Professional Needs to Include in Unlawful Harassment Training for California Supervisors and More!, SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition (2014)
- Are you in Compliance? Tips to Avoid Wage Claims and the Associated Hefty Penalties, Association of Corporate Counsel, San Diego Chapter (2014)
- Free Speech in the California Workplace, San Diego SHRM Law Day (2011)
- How is Your Disability Management Program Working for You Today?, Disability Management Employer Coalition, 15th Annual International Conference (2010)
- Mediating Workplace Disputes – A Lawyer/s /Consumer’s Perspective, American Arbitration Association (2010)
- Managing Ill, Injured, and Disabled Employees in California, San Diego SHRM Law Day (2010)
- Workplace Investigations, San Diego SHRM Law Day (2009)
- Moderator, FundaMENTAL Health Conference, Mental Health America (2009)
- Panelist, Special Considerations in Professional Liability and Employment Matters, International Academy of Mediators (2008)
- Wage and Hour Update (Keynote Speaker), San Diego SHRM Law Day (2008)
- Workplace Privacy, San Diego SHRM Law Day (2007)
- Guest Lecturer in ADR and Skills Training for Ethical and Preventive Practice and Career Satisfaction (STEPPS) Program, California Western Law School
- Guest Lecturer in Human Resources certification classes and student organizations, California State University, San Marcos and San Diego SHRM
Bar/Court Information
Bar/Court Information
- California State Bar
- California State Courts
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona