Complex Employment Litigation (Class, Collective and Representative Actions)

Our litigators have extensive experience and success in defending employers in a wide range of complex litigation throughout California in both federal and state court, including:

• Wage and hour class actions
• Discrimination class actions
• Unfair competition claims
• California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) claims

There has been a significant increase in complex litigation filed against employers in California in recent years and the trend is expected to continue. Given California’s detailed labor laws, even minor wage and hour errors can result in damage and attorneys’ fees awards in the six and seven figures. Class and representative actions pose significant financial, business and productivity risks that can be devastating to employers.

Our complex litigation practice is devoted exclusively to representing employers in various class, collective and representative actions in business of all sizes and industries. Our team has the expertise and skills necessary to help our clients navigate complex litigation to achieve productive resolution while minimizing or eliminating the associated risks.

Our litigators focus on early assessment of the claims and potential exposure to determine the best strategic and cost-effective approach to defend against the litigation, whether through alternative dispute resolution (such as mediation), opposing class certification or defeating the plaintiffs’ claims. We collaborate with our clients to tailor our litigation strategy to each individual client’s operations, taking into consideration the cost of ongoing complex litigation and its adverse impact on ongoing business. Our goal is to extract our client from litigation in an aggressive and cost-effective manner, while protecting our clients’ ability to remain focused on business goals. When needed, our team of skilled trial attorneys is ready to aggressively litigate your case through conclusion, including summary judgment and trial.

We have defended cases assigned by a variety of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) carriers as panel or approved counsel. Our attorneys and staff are experienced in managing insurers’ litigation guidelines as well as their reporting and billing requirements. Our firm has provided legal services to clients insured by numerous carriers, including the following: