A San Francisco native, Chambord Benton-Hayes’ passion for the law was ignited at age eleven when she met famed attorney Johnnie Cochran in Oakland, California. Mr. Cochran encouraged her to pursue a legal career as a litigator, and thereafter, Chambord worked towards this goal, graduating from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law at the age of twenty-four.
Chambord finds enjoyment in zealously advocating for her clients because she loves protecting others and believes in holding companies accountable for their actions. She compassionately explains complex legal issues, empathizing with the discomfort often created by confusion and uncertainty.
Before launching Benton Employment Law, Chambord practiced law in the San Francisco office of an international law firm. During the Pandemic, she left “Big Law” and started representing individuals. Her ten years of experience defending some of the world’s largest corporations in employment matters and advising C-suite leadership on litigation avoidance contributed to her astute insight on workplace dynamics.
Chambord takes great pleasure in oral advocacy. She has litigated cases from pre-litigation negotiations all the way through trial, and regularly represents clients in litigation and arbitration involving allegations of sexual harassment; discrimination based on gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and pregnancy; retaliation; wrongful termination; and harassment on both an individual and class basis. She also negotiates executive compensation and severance agreements. Whether a matter requires strategic negotiation or aggressive litigation, Chambord has the relevant experience.
Chambord has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers (an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40), “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” (awarded for outstanding professional excellence in private practice), and multiple "40 under 40" lists. NBA’s Women Lawyers Division also named her “2022 Outstanding Women Lawyer in a Solo/Small Firm.” Super Lawyers Magazine featured her life and career in a July 2022 article.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her Maltipoo, winning at dominoes, and cheering on her favorite basketball team, The Golden State Warriors.
Admissions:
- California
- U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California
- California Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District
- California Supreme Court
Externships:
- Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James of the United States District Court
- Judge Teri Jackson of the San Francisco County Superior Court
Professional Activities:
- Black Women Lawyers Association of Northern California (President (2020 -2021) & Board Member (2015 - present)
- California Association of Black Lawyers
- National Bar Association
- Charles Houston Bar Association
- The Bar Association of San Francisco - Solo/Small Firm Committee Chair
- California Employment Lawyers Association
- State Bar of California (Labor and Employment Law Section)
- Alameda County Bar Association
- Sacramento County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
Speaking Engagements
