Diana Friedland

For more than 18 years, Diana Friedland has advised California employers on the workplace issues that matter most—from everyday personnel questions to complex investigations, difficult separations, and disputes carrying significant legal and business risk.

A trusted advisor to business owners, executives, HR professionals, and families, Diana provides clear, strategic guidance that helps clients make confident decisions before workplace issues become legal problems. She counsels employers on hiring and termination decisions, employee performance issues, pregnancy and disability leaves and accommodations, workplace investigations, compliance audits, and other sensitive personnel matters. She also prepares customized employee handbooks, workplace policies, and employment agreements designed around each client's business, workforce, and long-term goals.

When a workplace issue begins to escalate, Diana focuses on risk-minimization strategies and resolving disputes outside of litigation whenever possible. She responds to attorney prelitigation demand letters and represents employers in proceedings before the California Civil Rights Department, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and California Labor Commissioner. Diana also advises executives in negotiating employment agreements and severance packages and in understanding their legal rights and obligations.

Diana takes pride in being a tenacious advocate when circumstances demand it, but the relationships she builds with her clients are at the heart of her practice. She values the responsibility of being the first call when a workplace issue is keeping a client up at night and provides thoughtful advice, candid guidance, and practical solutions that help clients make decisions and move forward with greater confidence and less stress.

As a teenager, Diana's hard work, grit, and determination earned her a place among the top-ranked junior tennis players in Southern California and nationally. The discipline, resilience, preparation, and strategic thinking she developed on the tennis court continue to shape the way she approaches every client matter today.

Diana began her legal career in the Labor and Employment group at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, representing some of the largest companies in the United States. Thereafter, Diana and her sister, Polina Bernstein, built Bernstein & Friedland, P.C. into a respected employment law practice for over 13 years. Following Polina's transition to a successful career as an employment law mediator, Diana is proud to continue the practice they built together alongside her longtime paralegal, Alex Link. She has been recognized by Southern California Super Lawyers every year since 2013.

Outside the office, Diana enjoys cheering on her daughter at USA Climbing competitions, supporting her son at piano recitals and robotics classes, and spending time with her loving and supportive husband and family.