Lynne Hermle and Joe Liburt Honored Among the Top Labor and Employment Lawyers in California

July.26.2016

Orrick congratulates partners Lynne Hermle and Joe Liburt on being recognized among the top 75 labor and employment lawyers in California by the Daily Journal.

In profiles of Lynne and Joe, the publication highlighted the Orrick team’s, which also included Jessica Perry, Shannon Seekao and Megan Lawson, victory on behalf of venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in the gender discrimination and retaliation case that “captivated the nation.” Lynne served as first chair while Joe handled a variety of tasks including expert discovery, examination of several experts at trial and jury instructions. Following 24 days of trial, a San Francisco jury rejected all of former partner Ellen Pao's claims that she was passed over for promotion and terminated because of her gender and complaints about discrimination.

In addition to Kleiner, the Daily Journal noted Lynne's current caseload which includes gender discrimination cases for Twitter and Microsoft and a trade secrets suit for Fitbit. The publication also noted Joe's creative victory for Sears in a wage class action filed by Sears' assistant store managers.

Related Lawyers

Lynne Hermle Partner, Employment Law & Litigation, Wage and Hour

Silicon Valley

See my bio

D:+1 650 614 7422
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Technology & Innovation Sector
Employment Law & Litigation
Wage and Hour
Pay Equity

vCard

See full bio

Lynne Hermle Partner

Silicon Valley

Lynne has significant experience successfully defending complex discrimination and wage-and-hour class actions for global leaders in the retail and technology sectors including Microsoft, Twitter, The Gap, Genentech, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, Gymboree, Spencer’s Gifts, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids, among many others.

Lynne led the trial team that obtained a complete defense verdict for Kleiner Perkins in Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, the high-stakes gender discrimination and retaliation case that garnered intense international media scrutiny. In naming Lynne “Litigator of the Week” for this victory, American Lawyer described her effective voir dire and how she “steadily poked holes in Pao’s testimony.” The Recorder called Lynne’s cross-examination “masterful” and Bloomberg reported that her “charismatic, intimidating oratory made her the trial’s breakout star.”

Following Pao, Lynne secured a complete defense verdict for SpaceX in an $8 million gender discrimination and retaliation suit. The Daily Journal called the outcome “another triumph for Hermle,” observing that her “string of successes for tech clients fighting off gender harassment and discrimination claims got longer.” The publication also pronounced Lynne to be “arguably the most feared employment defense attorney in California.” Eight months later she followed that up with another jury defense verdict for SpaceX in a wrongful discharge and retaliation case.

In recognition of these successes and her high-profile career trial work, Lynne was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2017. She is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and many other trial related organizations.

Joseph Liburt Partner, Employment Law & Litigation, Wage and Hour

Silicon Valley

See my bio

D:+1 650 614 7447
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Technology & Innovation Sector
Employment Law & Litigation
Wage and Hour
Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
ERISA & Benefits Litigation

vCard

See full bio

Joseph Liburt Partner

Silicon Valley

Clients turn to Joe again and again as a creative problem solver and trusted advisor in helping them achieve their goals quickly and efficiently.

For example, in a wage class action for Sears, Joe quarterbacked an unusual strategy to dismiss the case. The team discovered that the plaintiff had filed for bankruptcy, and filed a motion to dismiss because the plaintiff no longer owned the lawsuit, the bankruptcy trustee did. But the plaintiff argued he might re-acquire the lawsuit in bankruptcy court, and the district court allowed him to try. In the bankruptcy court, Joe had Sears buy the lawsuit (an asset of the plaintiff’s bankruptcy estate) for a nominal amount, and then returned to the district court where Sears, now the owner of the class action against itself, dismissed the case with prejudice.

In Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, the high-stakes gender discrimination and retaliation case that garnered intense national scrutiny, Joe led the trial team's work on jury instructions and expert witnesses.

Joe is praised by clients, co-counsel and colleagues for his collaborative approach and ability to bring out the best work from the team.

Related Areas

Employment Law & Litigation

Markets

Bay Area: San Francisco and Silicon Valley