Employment
The employment lawyers at RTW understand the challenges businesses face in California as they navigate the complex, ever-changing web of state and federal employment laws. Our goal is to work with clients to find practical, innovative, and cost-effective solutions that advance their business interests.
We have counseled small businesses and large companies on a wide range of employment issues. As outside general counsel for businesses throughout the region, we are often our clients’ first call when faced with an employment issue. By working with our clients to understand their business needs and goals, we provide effective counseling on a variety of day-to-day employment matters such as hiring, employment policies, arbitration agreements, and employee handbooks. We are also experienced at handling more sensitive employment issues including discipline, terminations, and pre-litigation settlements. When an employee departs the company, we can help clients protect both their confidential information and their reputation. By helping clients implement best practices in these situations, we minimize their legal risk and hopefully avoid future litigation.
When litigation is unavoidable, however, RTW’s attorneys are strong advocates and experienced litigators. We have defended clients in both state and federal court, at the trial and appellate level, before various administrative agencies, and in arbitration. Our attorneys have handled a wide range of employment claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as wage-and-hour class actions, PAGA claims, and claims for misappropriation of trade secrets.
ATTORNEYS
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Lead counsel in drafting amici curiae brief in support of request for en banc rehearing in Verna Maxwell Clarke v. AMN Services, LLC, (9th Cir. Case No. 19-55784).
Represent employers in large, high-profile cases in state and federal court involving a variety of employment claims, including claims for wrongful termination, discrimination and hostile work environment claims, wage-and-hour claims, and sexual harassment claims.
Resolve sensitive pre-litigation matters, including claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in violation of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Counsel employers regarding wage and hour issues, including meal and rest break issues and off-the-clock work.
Represent employers before state and federal agency forums, including the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) and the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
Advise employers regarding a wide range of employment issues, including terminations, leaves of absence, reductions-in-force, and COVID-19 related issues.
Draft and revise employee handbooks to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and best practices.
Defense of newly formed company against allegations of trade secret misappropriation and violation of non-compete/non-solicitation covenants. Successfully opposed motion seeking injunctive relief and negotiated a favorable settlement of all claims enabling the business to move forward with unfettered operation.
Representation of client against competing entity that hired a former executive of the client who copied various electronic files and other materials with intent to assist a competitor in usurping client’s business opportunities and development. Successfully obtained injunctive relief on client’s behalf precluding use of trade secret information, protecting client’s business opportunities from former executive and competitor.
General outside counsel for multiple national staffing companies responsible for overseeing employment litigation matters, including representation during negotiations for large wage-and-hour class actions, oversight over individual employment-related claims, and coordination with employment counsel at other firms.
General outside counsel for large agricultural operations, including oversight and coordination relating to employment claims.
Negotiation and review of numerous staffing-agency agreements involving issues relating to employment claims.
Numerous matters involving claims for indemnity and defense for claims asserted by employees for wage-and-hour, discrimination, meal-and-rest break, and workplace injuries.