Department profile
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Labor & Employment

USA Guide 2026 : California


Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

From Fortune 50 companies to family-run businesses, we provide clients cutting edge advice and practical solutions. We proactively identify and mitigate risk before issues arise and offer clear, business-centric advice for day-to-day matters and complex disputes. 

We collaborate seamlessly with in-house counsel, HR professionals and operational leaders, delivering advice attuned to each client’s unique culture. Clients throughout the country turn to us for guidance on wage and hour compliance, employee classification, leaves and accommodations, internal investigations and workplace policies. We also provide training on emerging workplace issues—addressing cultural and workforce trends, arbitration programs and remote work policies.

Our national labor and employment litigation team is distinguished by our deep trial experience, market-leading insight and a consistent record of success in high-stakes matters. We represent clients in every forum, from administrative hearings to the U.S. Supreme Court, handling complex wage and hour class actions, harassment and discrimination claims, whistleblower suits and restrictive covenant disputes with unmatched precision and efficiency.

Clients (17)

  • Anaheim Arena Management
  • Cox Communications
  • Dignity Health
  • Chipotle
  • Firetrol
  • Granite Rock
  • Hyundai
  • Stericycle
  • Swift Transportation
  • Zodiac Aerospace
  • Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain
  • AT&T
  • Pacific Bell
  • Taco Bell
  • DrilTek
  • BJ’s Restaurants

Industries (11)

  • Banks
  • Professional Services
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Financial Services
  • Food and Beverage
  • Healthcare
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Retail
  • Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Hospitality

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Labor & Employment - California


What the Team is Known For

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP advises on a variety of labor and employment matters, including course-of-business issues as well as high stakes litigation. The practice regularly undertakes work in wage and hour disputes, single-plaintiff discrimination cases and harassment claims. The firm represents clients from a wide range of industries, including the transportation, hospitality and healthcare sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP obtained a total defense victory on behalf of NetApp finding their commissions plan lawful. The plaintiff alleged labor code violation and breach of contract claims and a PAGA action.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has consistently approached matters with rigor, technical excellence and thoroughness.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Their strategic insight and trusted judgment make them invaluable partners in litigation.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • The firm provides business-forward, practical and actionable guidance.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • They are extremely knowledgeable and have various areas of expertise on all facets of employment law. They provide excellent service and timely responses.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Tracey A Kennedy
    Band 2Tracey A Kennedy

    Tracey A Kennedy

    Tracey Kennedy's impressive employment litigation and trial practice includes harassment and discrimination claims and retaliation suits.
    • Tracey is a very good trial lawyer, that is her strength.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
    • Tracey is fantastic. She is a really experienced and smart trial lawyer.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
    • Tracey is an incredible trial lawyer who is very respected and well liked.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Band 3Richard Simmons
    Band 3Richard Simmons

    Richard Simmons

    Richard Simmons is well regarded for his experience in big-ticket class actions involving wage and hour issues.
  • Band 3Zachary Hutton
    Band 3Zachary Hutton

    Zachary Hutton

    Zach Hutton is recognized for his handling of wage and hour litigation, where he represents notable clients within the automotive and technological fields.
    • He brings a forward-thinking perspective to litigation strategy, anticipating trends and tailoring his approach accordingly.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
    • Zach is on top of the case law and a real expert. He gives really practical suggestions.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Band 5Paul Cowie
    Band 5Paul Cowie

    Paul Cowie

    Paul Cowie is noted for his representation of employers in high-profile employment class action claims relating to wage and hour, discrimination and misclassification issues.

    • Paul provides incredibly practical, expert advice on a broad range of employment matters.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
    • Paul is on top of all issues of the case and is very savvy, extremely bright and very strategic.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
    • His combination of legal acumen, creativity and practical insight makes him an indispensable ally in our high-stakes matters.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Band 5Thomas R. Kaufman
    Band 5Thomas R. Kaufman

    Thomas R. Kaufman

    Thomas Kaufman is a fine choice of litigator for state and federal wage and hour actions arising in a range of industries, as well as claims involving breach of contract, charges of fraud and wrongful termination.

Ranked Individuals at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP (5)

California

Members

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

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