Practice Areas
Our attorneys bring decades of employment law experience to your pressing concerns. We have represented employers in virtually every forum, including state and federal courts throughout California and elsewhere, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative hearings before both state and federal agencies. We vigorously litigate and take cases through trial and appeal when in our clients’ best interests. And where appropriate, we help our clients resolve employment concerns quickly and efficiently, keeping clients out of costly litigation. Our practice includes:
CLASS AND COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
Our practice includes wage/hour and other class action litigation. Our teams can help you manage the risks they pose. We will analyze your exposure upfront, discuss options for resolution and litigation, and implement the agreed-upon plan.
PAGA REPRESENTATIVE ACTIONS
Faced with class certification hurdles, plaintiffs and their counsel increasingly turn to the California Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) to seek sky-high penalties for technical violations. The strategy for defending a PAGA action may be vastly different from the strategy when facing class action allegations. We work with our clients to determine the best course of action.
TRIALS AND APPEALS
We will take your case to trial to win it. We are available to take cases at inception or at any stage up to trial in appropriate circumstances. We also are happy to consult with other counsel on winning trial strategies, focus group exercises, and voir dire. In addition, our team has successfully defended our victories on appeal, tapping into our proven record or in-depth writing and oral advocacy.
SINGLE PLAINTIFF LITIGATION
From the demand letter (and sometimes before) through trial, you can rely on our team to provide careful and diligent representation. We focus at all times on a winning strategy, while also keeping an eye open toward early resolution through motion practice or, where appropriate, settlement. Our success record on summary judgment and at trial is enviable.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
We are prepared to defend our clients not just in courts, but before state and federal administrative bodies. We will investigate the allegations, work with the government agencies to try to limit the scope of their inquiry where appropriate, prepare responsive documents, negotiate for a successful resolution of the claims, and, if necessary, present the defense in the administrative hearings. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients before the DLSE, DOL, DFEH, EEOC and the NLRB.
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
Misconduct of managers, employees, or even customers can create significant liability for employers, both under the law and to brand reputation. To be able to craft a strategic response to a report of misconduct, a prompt and thorough investigation is necessary. From highly-charged allegations with significant brand and reputational exposure to more routine allegations that require an independent evaluation, our investigators bring a wealth of experience to the task. Furthermore, as seasoned litigators, we can advise you on how to best approach the investigation and respond to any findings to minimize litigation risk.
ADVICE AND COUNSEL
Litigation is not always the answer. We offer practical and strategic advice to address our clients’ daily needs on all aspects of labor and employment law. We regularly work closely with employers to develop or revamp workforce policies and processes, build “best practices,” proactively audit and diagnose problem areas, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations impacting a wide array of personnel practices. We have a strong business sense and can boil down complex legal concepts into pragmatic, understandable solutions, and then help you achieve those solutions.
GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
We routinely defend employers facing systemic investigations or other high stakes government actions. Whether it be the EEOC, OFCCP, DOL, DLSE, or DFEH, we are experienced practitioners who know how to manage interactions with government officials and deliver highly successful outcomes for our clients.