Legal Affairs Staff
The Legal Affairs Department, through the team’s active involvement on the front lines of California’s legal and labor law compliance scene, is the first to know when and how changes in law affect employers. The California Chamber of Commerce expanded the Legal Affairs Department in 2011 to strengthen its ability to represent the business perspective in court battles.
Heather Wallace – Vice President, Legal Affairs
Named vice president of legal affairs effective October 1, 2021, Heather Wallace joined the CalChamber in November 2011 as associate general counsel and is a seasoned litigator with experience on employment law, health care, intellectual property and more.
Wallace came to the CalChamber from the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB), where she was senior staff counsel, providing legal advice on the Healthy Families Program, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan and the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program.
Bianca N. Saad – Vice President, Labor and Employment – Content, Training and Advice
Bianca N. Saad, a member of the CalChamber legal affairs team since April 2018, was named vice president in mid-November 2021, assigned to develop and lead the content and training strategy for existing and emerging products and training, as well as overseeing CalChamber subject matter experts.
She serves as a co-presenter for CalChamber compliance seminars and webinars.
Matthew J. Roberts – Labor Law Helpline Manager, Employment Law Counsel/Subject Matter Expert
Matthew J. Roberts joined the CalChamber in July 2019 as an employment law counsel/subject matter expert.
He explains California and federal labor and employment laws to CalChamber members and customers, and was named in October 2021 to serve as manager of the Labor Law Helpline.
James W. Ward – Employment Law Subject Matter Expert/Legal Writer and Editor
James W. Ward joined the CalChamber in June 2019 as an employment law subject matter expert/legal writer and editor.
In that position, he enhances the ongoing efforts of the CalChamber legal affairs team to explain for nonlawyers how statutes, regulations and court cases affect California businesses and employers.
Sarah Woolston – Employment Law Subject Matter Expert
Sarah Woolston joined the CalChamber in 2022 as an employment law subject matter expert.
She oversees local ordinances content, serves as a co-presenter for compliance seminars and webinars, and is an HR Adviser on the Labor Law Helpline.
Legal Affairs
The Legal Affairs Department reviews and participates in court cases having a broad impact on California’s economy and business climate.