Elizabeth A. Fritzinger
Elizabeth’s practice areas are Business & Corporate Law, Labor & Employment Law, Construction Law, and Real Estate Law.
- CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program March 31, 2020
- COVID-19: DOL Provides Answers to Questions About Federal Paid Sick and Family Leave Laws March 30, 2020
- What Employers Need To Know About the New Family First Coronavirus Response Act March 20, 2020
- 2023 Employment Law Update for California Employers
- Berry & Fritzinger, P.C.
- Address: 3550 Round Barn Blvd., Ste. 312
Santa Rosa, CA 95403 - Phone: (707) 800-0550
- Email: elizabeth@berryfritzlaw.com
The Fritzinger in Berry & Fritzinger, P.C. is Elizabeth Fritzinger, a woman who not only understands how to get the job done – any job – she knows how to accomplish it strategically, efficiently, and with a smile. Her advocacy, tenacious as it is, is perfectly balanced by her engaging manner, her quick wit, and her unending commitment to finding collaborative solutions to her client’s problems.
Elizabeth’s ultimate goal – and, in fact, the ultimate goal of every issue that Berry & Fritzinger, P.C. handles – is to develop strategies which lead to early victories and save her client time and resources. When faced with complex legal issues, she uses innovative thinking to turn cases around and deliver positive outcomes that promote her client’s long-term objectives. Should it come to a jury trial, Elizabeth’s approach is simple: outwork, out-prepare, and out-think the other side. This intense preparation, along with her intimate knowledge of her client’s business, allows her to be at ease in the courtroom and deliver outstanding results.
Admissions
California
Colorado
Nebraska
Iowa
United States District Court, District of Nebraska
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Nebraska
United States District Court, Northern District of California
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California
Education
Creighton University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2007
University of Iowa, B.A., with honors, 2003
Professional Highlights
Community Service
Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma-Marin: Past Board Member.
Sonoma County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Steering Committee: Past Board Member.
The Healdsburg School: Past Board Member and Chair.
The Earle Baum Center: Past Board Member.
See Our Community Involvement page for more information.
Honors
Forty Under 40 recipient. Selected by North Bay Business Journal as one of the forty exceptional business leaders under forty years of age in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties.
Presentations
Leaves of Absence, Seminar Series
(August 26, 2021) Presented at the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Payroll & Personnel Files, Seminar Series
(May 27, 2021) Presented at the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Pre-Hire and Onboarding New Employees, Seminar Series
(February 9, 2022; April 1, 2021; January 30, 2020) Presented at the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Recent Developments in 2020 Labor & Employment Law Cases, Seminar
(January 28, 2021) Presented at the Sonoma County Bar Association
HR Discipline & Termination, Seminar Series
(October 29, 2020) Presented at the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Leaves of Absence Relating to COVID-19, Seminar Series
(July 30, 2020) Presented at the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Societal Trends and Legal Changes Brought About by the #MeToo Movement, Seminar
(September 19, 2019) Presented at the Sonoma County Bar Association
Civil Trial Workshop, Seminar
(March 22, 2019) Presented at the Sonoma County Bar Association
Offers of Judgment: CCP § 998, Seminar
(December 11, 2013) Presented at the Sonoma County Bar Association
Results Delivered
Obtained a $700,000 settlement for breach of contract and negligence claims for the defective construction of a home located in Sonoma County.
Obtained a $5.8 million dollar settlement for a winery that had defects in its tasting room, production facility and cave.
Defended client’s right to remain in leased premises by bringing a successful summary judgment motion against landlord and the Court ordered landlord to pay client’s attorney fees and costs.
Defended employer from various wage and hour violations by successful negotiating a reasonable settlement and prior to Labor Commissioner’s Office full investigation of client’s wage and hour practices.
Counseled several businesses with the preparation of employment policies, handbooks, employment agreements and separation agreements.
Counseled several businesses with the termination of employees and successfully negotiating severance agreements with releases of claims against the business.
Obtained over two years of client’s salary because employer violated California’s Equal Pay Act laws.
Obtained a construction defect multiple million dollar settlement for a Sonoma County based winery that was defectively designed and constructed.
Like many young people, Elizabeth didn’t understand the invaluable life lessons her family had imparted to her until she left home to attend the University of Iowa. Born and raised on a multi-generational family farm, Elizabeth watched her father carefully steward an agricultural business entrusted to him by his ancestors. She learned the importance of hard work and endurance by watching her mother obtain her master’s degree while working full time and running her children to every after-school program they wished to attend.
The lessons her parents taught her have stayed with her throughout her life, but there were other lessons she needed to learn and for those she had her older brother. Seeing her love of sports, Elizabeth’s brother took an active interest in working with her to better her performance. After a bad game, even at an early age, he would have her practice to ensure she never made the same mistake twice. This instilled in her a real sense of stewardship, of sticking to something, and of putting others before yourself – all important lessons for an attorney to learn.
In 2012, Elizabeth moved to California and began her West Coast life with her husband, Matt Fritzinger. Prior to having children, you may have encountered Matt and Elizabeth pedaling around the Bay Area and patronizing some of Sonoma County’s favorite establishments like Freestone Bakery or Howard’s Café. Now, as the proud parents of two sons, you may see Matt and Elizabeth chasing after their young sons who have taken up the family tradition of seeing Sonoma County on two wheels.