Sarah Kalaei – Eastridge Workforce Solutions

Service has always been the thread connecting the chapters of Sarah Kalaei’s life and career. Long before she negotiated contracts or advised executives, she understood leadership as a responsibility to others. Today, as general counsel for Eastridge Workforce Solutions, that philosophy guides her approach to legal strategy, business leadership, and the people whose livelihoods are connected to the organization’s work.

Sarah Kalaei | Eastridge Workforce Solutions | General Counsel

Eastridge Workforce Solutions is a national staffing and workforce solutions provider with more than 50 years of experience connecting top talent with leading organizations. The company delivers specialized hiring solutions across Manufacturing & Distribution, Advanced Manufacturing & Technology, Skilled Trades & Industrial Management (STIM), Corporate Operations & Business Services, Legal, and Construction Management.

Eastridge navigates complex hiring environments with a strong focus on compliance and evolving employment regulations. Backed by expertise in workforce trends and employment law, the company helps organizations stay ahead of regulatory changes while building compliant, high-performing teams and creating positive candidate experiences.

Eastridge is committed to helping its people, talent, and customers realize their full potential, driven by a culture of accountability and excellence through making powerful requests, creating strong commitments, and honoring its word.

For Kalaei, the legal profession was never about prestige. It was about impact. Her career reflects that perspective, blending legal expertise with a personal motivation to help others navigate systems that shape their lives.

Early motivations & values

Kalaei’s understanding of advocacy began long before she earned a law degree. Early on, she often accompanied her parents to meetings about her younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum. Observing Individualized Education Program (IEP) discussions firsthand, she gained early insight into the complexities families navigate within the special education system and the importance of informed, persistent advocacy.

“I grew up with a deep desire to advocate for people, and I saw firsthand how systems can shape the experiences of families and individuals,” Kalaei says.

Rather than viewing law as an abstract profession, she saw it as a practical tool to create access, protection, and opportunity. After earning a psychology degree from the University of California, Berkeley, she attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law with a clear focus on public interest work.

During law school, she intentionally sought opportunities to advocate for vulnerable populations, including foster youth, juvenile delinquency cases, children requiring special education services, and immigration advocacy for vulnerable populations who were seeking asylum or refugee status. Her commitment to this work earned her a fellowship with the Center of Law and Social Justice, where she collaborated with one of her professors and mentors on global employment law issues. As part of that work, she presented at an international conference in Modena, Italy, focusing on employment law and the modern workplace. These formative experiences deepened her conviction that legal systems, when applied thoughtfully, can meaningfully change lives and ultimately brought her full circle when she began her career practicing employment law at Eastridge Workforce Solutions.

Graduating in 2009 placed her in one of the toughest legal job markets in decades. Rather than following a traditional law firm route, she accepted a position that evolved into her first in-house role. That unexpected opportunity ultimately defined the direction of her career.

Building a global legal foundation

Kalaei’s first in-house role came with Carl Zeiss Vision, a vision care company headquartered in Germany. Reporting to the CFO in the United States and the general counsel in Frankfurt, she immediately entered a global legal environment.

Her responsibilities included negotiating agreements between the German parent company and suppliers in various countries. The role required regular collaboration across multiple time zones, often scheduling calls early in the morning or late at night.

“It was an incredible opportunity to learn how business works across borders,” Kalaei says.

The experience exposed her to international transactions, regulatory differences, and the cultural nuances that shape cross-border business relationships. Over more than five years, she developed a strong foundation in global contracting and corporate law and governance.

As her personal priorities evolved, she became increasingly open to opportunities that offered more direct collaboration and a sustainable schedule, which eventually led to a new opportunity that would shape the next stage of her career.

Finding alignment at Eastridge

While not actively seeking a new role, a chance encounter at an industry event connected Kalaei with a legal recruiter. What began as a casual conversation naturally progressed into an interview opportunity at Eastridge Workforce Solutions.

“I fell in love with Eastridge because of the people,” Kalaei says.

She joined the company in July 2014 without prior employment law experience, relying instead on curiosity, adaptability, and mentorship. Senior leaders intentionally included her in discussions beyond legal matters so she could understand the broader business.

A defining moment came early in her tenure during a formidable hallway conversation with the company’s CEO. After she shared how much she appreciated the culture, he emphasized the importance of continual learning and growth.

“He told me the most important thing was that I keep learning and growing,” Kalaei recalls.

The message shaped her leadership philosophy. Since then, she has made a point of creating similar opportunities for others, encouraging colleagues to participate in strategic conversations and expand their understanding of the business.

With nearly 12 years with the organization, Kalaei continued growing alongside the company. In December 2024, she stepped into the role of general counsel, following a mentor who had led the legal function for several years.

Leading through transformation

Kalaei assumed the role during a period of major transition. The company recently completed a significant divestiture that split its legal entities in half, reshaping the organization into a more focused structure.

“Legal should not be an impediment,” Kalaei says. “Our role is to shape the business and be a strategic partner.”

Her responsibilities include overseeing litigation, transactions, employment compliance, corporate governance, and employee-related legal matters. Because Eastridge operates in all 50 states, it must navigate a complex and constantly evolving patchwork of federal, state, and local employment laws, requiring careful oversight of jurisdiction-specific onboarding requirements, wage and hour considerations and other applicable regulatory and compliance obligations.

Kalaei leads a lean legal team consisting of herself, a director of legal affairs and compliance, and a legal coordinator. The small structure allows the department to move quickly while staying closely connected with business leadership.

Over the past year, the organization has focused on rebuilding and stabilizing operations following the divestiture. Internally, many employees refer to the new chapter as “Eastridge 2.0,” reflecting a renewed focus on efficiency and client service.

Kalaei has played a central role in strengthening the company’s compliance framework while reducing legal risk. The legal team recently reduced litigation spending by roughly 20 percent while resolving several longstanding matters.

Looking ahead, she plans to travel with her director of legal affairs and compliance to branch offices across the country, hosting educational sessions that help staff better understand employment law risks and compliance expectations.

Beyond legal operations, Kalaei also believes strongly in mentorship and workplace connection. She previously co-founded and co-chaired Women of Wonder, an employee resource group that supports women across the organization through mentorship and professional dialogue.

Outside the office, she prioritizes balance through running, skiing with her family, and practicing yoga. She also enjoys floral arranging, a hobby inspired by her grandfather’s love of gardening and the flowers that once filled their family home.

The motivation that led her to law school continues to guide her work today. By helping organizations operate responsibly and compliantly, she supports something larger than legal outcomes alone. Eastridge’s mission is to connect people with meaningful employment opportunities that can change the trajectory of families and communities.

For Kalaei, that alignment between personal purpose and professional impact remains the most rewarding part of her role. The instinct to advocate for others that emerged at an early age now shapes how she leads through change, manages risk, and supports an organization dedicated to creating opportunity through work.