P.J. Van Ert is a seasoned trial lawyer and civil litigator specializing in class actions and individual employment matters. As a Blackstone law associate she dedicates her practice to California employees. After more than 75 criminal jury trials during thirteen years as a deputy district attorney, she transitioned to civil litigation and found her way to Blackstone. From wage and hour theft to sexual harassment and hostile work environment, she is able to utilize her years of zealously advocating for victims of crime to get superior results in employment cases. Ms. Van Ert has earned guilty verdicts in lengthy homicide trials, financial crimes and sexual assault and molestation cases. She is comfortable discussing any issue faced by California employees in the workplace.

Ms. Van Ert is a graduate of the University of California at Davis for undergraduate studies and the University of California, Los Angeles for law school. She previously worked for a firm representing insurance companies. That work formed the foundation for her ability to evaluate cases and understand settlement values. She is a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association, serving on the Wage and Hour Committee. She is also a former board member of the Shasta Trinity County Bar Association.

Ms. Van Ert has always enjoyed travel and experiencing the diversity of cultures around the world. Prior to law school, she completed a “Semester At Sea” traveling from Cuba to Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Japan before returning home to the West Coast. Outside of work and dreaming about her next trip, she spends time with her spouse and three young children.