Employer Defense and Business Litigation Attorneys Based in San Diego
The experienced employer defense and wage and hour litigation attorneys at the Watkins Firm are committed to helping our clients to implement sound employment contracts, employee handbooks, policies and procedures and practices to avoid wage and hour disputes and litigation, as well as investigations and assessments by Federal or State of California agencies. When disputes or litigation arise the Watkins Firm can handle your case from start to finish.
The expense associated with wage and hour penalties, civil liabilities or Private Attorneys General Act or PAGA-related litigation can be staggering to a business of any size. Wage and hour liabilities can represent the greatest risk to the survival of your business entity.
The volume of wage and hour cases before California Courts has significantly increased over the past several years. The Watkins Firm is committed to resolving wage and hour disputes at the source, before they become something larger.
Our unique approach to litigation ensures that we take the necessary steps to protect you as if the matter will wind up in a Court of law, while doing everything possible to resolve the matter as quickly as possible, in a cost-effective manner.
An Experienced, Proven San Diego Wage and Hour Defense Firm
If you have learned of a potential dispute with an employee or another company, are in the midst of a breach of contract dispute, or facing a potential lawsuit our San Diego business litigation attorneys have the extensive experience, legal skill and successful strategies to help. We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.
Experienced Trial Attorneys When You Need Us
The attorneys at the Watkins Firm have provided legal advice, services and representation to San Diego businesses and employers for decades. Our experienced business litigators are prepared to represent you in hearings, arbitration or at trial, and have a track record of success in many business disputes, wage and hour litigation and employment-related cases and lawsuits. We handle almost all wage and hour litigation disputes including, but not limited to:
- Misclassification of employees as exempt
- Misclassification of employees as independent contractors
- Failure to comply with California Piece-Rate laws
- Failure to pay overtime, or for “off the clock” work related activities
- Failure to pay minimum wage
- Retaliation against employee(s) for assert violations
- Failure to provide meal, rest and/or recovery time
- All payroll practice violations
- Private Attorneys General Act Lawsuits and Class Actions
Our experienced litigation team defends employers in California, and here in the greater San Diego area in lawsuits brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), PAGA as well as California’s wage and hour laws. We have a strong track record in employment litigation and wage and hour cases, and invite you to ask about our case histories and the unique approach we bring to dispute resolution and litigation.
Listen to two of our Recent Sound Business Insights Podcasts:
“Episode 26 – Wage and Hour Employer Updates for 2023 and Beyond”
“Episode 4 – Risk and Guidance for California Employers”
Class Action and Private Attorneys General Act Lawsuits
Are you searching for experienced class action and Private Attorneys General or PAGA employer defense attorneys in Southern California or San Diego? We are often able to resolve complex wage and hour litigation, and negotiate resolutions that accomplish our client’s goals and objectives for the case. We work to eliminate class claims, and resolve matters quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. There are legal strategies that utilize contractually stipulated arbitration to compel class actions to resolve through individual arbitrations.
PAGA provides a legal mechanism for a current and/or former employee(s) to act as “proxy” on behalf of the State of California as a sort of “internal attorney general.”
PAGA is a whistleblower or Qui Tam claim which can be an individual lawsuit, or more likely, a class action. The PAGA action provides incredible power for the employee and their plaintiff’s counsel to obtain evidence of wage and hour violations as well as comprehensive information on current and past employees who may also have a claim.
The employer is required to post sizable notice in a central and common location notifying other employees of the potential action and inviting them to join. Employees who assist with a PAGA claim are entitled to keep a substantial amount of the associated penalties and fines resulting from the PAGA action.
The Watkins Firm helps our clients to keep abreast of the rapidly changing and ever-developing legal developments associated with employment regulations and wage and hour laws. We provide general business counsel to employers throughout the area to ensure compliance with federal, state and local wage and hour laws (such as San Diego’s $16.30 minimum wage in 2023). We review client’s compliance, and represent them before federal Department of Labor and audits by California agencies.
Contact Experienced San Diego Wage and Hour Litigation Lawyers
If you are involved in a wage and hour dispute, or face litigation or an audit by a federal or California agency, we invite you to review the as well as the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.