Rose Serrano

Duckor Metzger & Wynne, APLC, Shareholder Rose Huelskamp Serrano is a veteran litigator who provides practical, results-driven counsel in employment, trust and estate, and business litigation. Employment & Labor Law Rose represents a wide range of employers, from restaurants and financial service providers to residential senior living facilities and public healthcare districts, offering tailored legal strategies that address each clients unique operational and regulatory environment. Roses employment law practice includes defending private and public employers in claims involving retaliation, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and wage and hour disputes, including class actions and PAGA (Private Attorney General Act) actions. She proactively counsels employers on emerging compliance obligations, including guiding employers through the PAGA remediation process using a proprietary checklist designed to mitigate penalties under the statute. She plays a critical role in protecting public resources by advising public agencies and healthcare districts, often presenting risk evaluations and settlement recommendations directly to governing boards. A cornerstone of her employment and labor law practice is pre-litigation counseling, helping clients navigate high-risk employee issues before they escalate. Rose provides rapid response and a risk-balanced approach, delivering scenario-based assessments that allow employers to make informed, strategic decisions on disciplinary actions, leave issues, internal investigations and severance negotiations. Her guidance helps minimize legal exposure while supporting business continuity and compliance. Roses appellate court work includes a published opinion from the California Court of Appeal regarding an arbitration clause dispute in a sexual harassment case. Trust & Estate Rose serves as chair to DMWs Estate Planning and Probate practice group, putting her trust and probate litigation experience to work in a leadership capacity. Her litigation experience before the Probate Court includes trust and will contests, financial elder abuse claims, claims of incapacity and undue influence, and breach of fiduciary duty matters. She represents trustees, administrators, beneficiaries, heirs and charitable organizations. Business Law Rose also represents businesses and individuals in matters involving contract disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, interference with business relationships, business dissolutions, disputes over non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, shareholder and partnership disputes and class action suits. Honors & Awards Best Lawyers in America, Trusts & Estates Litigation, 2026 Daily Journal, Top Labor and Employment Lawyer, 2025 San Diego Business Journal, Women of Influence in Law, 2025 San Diego Super Lawyers, Employment Litigation, 2023-2025 San Diego Top Attorney, 2017-2021, Employment Litigation Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated , Employment Litigation Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated , Probate Litigation Memberships & Community Involvement Probate Attorneys of San Diego, Board of Directors, 2018-present Association of Business Trial Lawyers - San Diego Louis M. Welsh American Inn of Court (alumni) San Diego County Bar Association Publications & Presentations California Broadens Paid Sick Leave: Protections for Crime Victims and Agricultural Workers Amid Emergencies, DMW publication, Nov. 19, 2024 San Diego Countys New Fair Chance Ordinance: What Employers Need to Know About the Stricter Hiring Rules, DMW publication, Oct. 17, 2024 Proposed Legislation Set to Regulate Employer Use of AI, DMW publication, July 9, 2024 Employment Law Update: Top 10 New California Laws for 2024, DMW publication Oct. 26, 2023 Employment Law Update: What Employers Need to Know in 2023 and Beyond, DMW publication, March 13, 2023 New Significant Requirements for Employer Pay Transparency & Reporting Under SB-1162 - Government Code 12999; Labor Code 432.3, DMW publication, Oct. 26, 2022