The Watkins Firm provides representation and employer defense before federal and state labor and employment agencies.  This includes but is not limited to the:

  • US Department of Labor
  • US Equal Opportunity Commission
  • California Labor Commissioner
  • California Employment Development Department (EDD)
  • California Department of Fair Employment and Housing

We work to protect our clients at every stage of the process saving them millions over the decades of our service to the San Diego area.  The experienced employer defense attorneys at the Watkins Firm provide sound counsel and advice to our clients who face a conference or hearing or other action by a federal and/or state labor or employment agency.

We work aggressively in our pre-litigation investigation and preparation.  Our extensive and successful trial expertise protect our clients and expose plaintiffs and the agencies themselves in depositions, discovery and all aspects of the conference, hearing or appeals process.  We work on our client’s behalf to engage the current or former employees why their claim should be withdrawn.  Our work in the “conference” stage of the process is focused upon securing the closure of the claim and dismissal of any action.

The Watkins Firm represents our clients in “informal” or “Berman” Hearings.  We prepare our clients for the intensive tactics used by the Deputy Labor Commissioners and other hearing officers.  We ensure they are current in their understanding of Federal or California labor and employment laws and their resulting responsibilities as employers.  We work to document and oppose the claims of the current or former employee(s) and seek outright dismissal or closure of those cases.

The Best Employer Defense is a Good Offense

California labor agencies are keenly focused on “wage theft” and other employee related wage and hour issues.  Business clients and those companies we serve as general business counsel value our extensive guidance on the hiring process, employee handbook, company policies and procedures and other important documents and procedures.  We work to ensure consistent application of these policies and procedures and careful documentation.  We guide our clients in the disciplinary and firing process to prevent issues from arising in the first place.

The Watkins Firm helps San Diego employers to lay the groundwork which prevents wage and hour claims, discrimination, retaliation, misclassification and wrongful termination from the outset.  If a claim is to arise, our clients have the documentation to easily defend against any claims by current or former employees.  We are committed to employer preparation, management and ultimately the prevention of litigation.  We create proactive compliance and dispute resolution strategies to protect San Diego employers while providing solid documentation for defending employee litigation and claims while providing employer defense before federal and state labor and employment agencies.

Have You Received a Notification from a Federal or State Labor or Employment Agency?

Has a present or former employee filed a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner, Employment Development Department, or US Department of Labor?  Are you a San Diego employer facing a conference or hearing regarding a wage and hour or employee pay issue, misclassification, discrimination, retaliation, harassment or wrongful termination?  There is no such thing as an “informal” hearing.  You need the experienced and proven employer defense attorneys at the Watkins Firm.  We have extensive expertise and a proven track record in employer defense before federal and state labor agencies.

We invite you to review the comments and recommendations of our clients and contact us or call 858-535-1511 for a free consultation.  Learn how we can prevent claims and lawsuits, and how we aggressively defend San Diego employers in labor or employment related conferences and hearings.