Rod Betts

Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP

401 B St.
10th Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 243-1560

rbetts@paulplevin.com

Education Law School/Year: University of Kansas, 1981 College/Year: Fort Hays State University, 1978 Bar Admissions California, 1981 Practice Areas Discrimination & Civil Rights, Labor & Employment Major Cases In 2006-2007, I was the chief labor negotiator for Mayor Jerry Sanders and the city of San Diego in the labor negotiations with the Police Officers Association of San Diego, Fire Fighters Local 145 and the Deputy City Attorneys Association. I also served as chief labor negotiator for the city in negotiations with all five city labor unions regarding the ballot measures and implementation ordinances for propositions B (retirement system benefits) and C (managed competition). In 2006, I was lead trial attorney in a San Diego Superior Court jury trial for Continental Airlines in an employment discrimination and wrongful termination case. We obtained a defense verdict, and a judgment against the plaintiff for $30,000 on Continental’s cross-complaint, regarding the plaintiff’s illegal tape recording of conversations with her supervisors. Professional Background From 1981 through 1987, I was an associate with Gray, Cary, Ames & Frye. From 1988 through 2003, I was a partner with Gray, Cary, Ames & Frye, which became Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich. My practice has always been in the area of labor and employment law. I was the Statewide Chair of the Employment and Labor Group at Gray Cary for several years. Since 2004, I have been a partner in the firm of Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP, which is now the largest employment and labor law firm in San Diego with 22 attorneys. Professional Affiliations I am a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, California State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. I am a member of the State Bar Labor and Employment Law section, and a past Chair of the Labor and Employment Law section of the San Diego County Bar Association. Personal Background I grew up in Kansas, and during the summers worked on a farm in Western Kansas, where my parents are still farming today. I went to college and law school in Kansas, and then had the good fortune to interview with Gray Cary, where I summer clerked in 1980, and returned to work in 1981.