He is also the founder of the firm’s Whistleblower Task Force. He previously served as the Managing Director of Orrick’s Litigation Division. The practice group under Mike’s leadership was chosen as one of the top national employment law practices by Law 360.
Chambers USA and Chambers Global has ranked him in Band 1 since it began publishing its rankings, noting he is "a giant of the employment bar, widely regarded as an expert in whistleblowing matters and sex harassment claims,” “sought out by premier clients to handle high-stakes employment litigation and investigations,” and "one of the best lawyers on the East Coast for financial institutions."
Mike has an active trial, arbitration, and appellate practice and handles a number of high-visibility class action and impact cases. He is regularly retained by boards of directors and audit committees to conduct high exposure internal investigations of corporate wrongdoing.
Known for a strategic and pragmatic approach, Alexandria collaborates with clients to resolve high-risk matters at the earliest opportunity and with the least business disruption. When early resolution isn't possible, Alexandria is a skilled advocate who fights for her clients every step of the way. Alexandria is valued by her clients for her ability to balance defense strategies with business-minded solutions. Alexandria has successfully defended clients in trial and arbitration and helps clients with all types of employment matters, including whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, FMLA and CFRA claims, breach of employment contract, and equal pay claims. When she's not litigating, Alexandria enjoys partnering with clients to set them up for success through thoughtful advice and counsel.
Alexandria maintains an active pro bono case load and recently won a prisoner appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prior to joining Orrick, Alexandria worked as a litigation associate in Kirkland & Ellis's San Francisco office. Before that, Alexandria was a law clerk for the Honorable Bobby R. Baldock of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable Gina M. Groh of the Northern District of West Virginia. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law, where she graduated second in her class.
Orrick’s Employment Law and Litigation group was recently named Labor & Employment Department of the Year in California by The Recorder, the premier source for legal news, in recognition of their significant wins on behalf of leading multinational companies on today’s most complex and challenging employment law matters.
He has considerable experience in and knowledge of litigation and counseling related to the hiring, firing, retention, management and promotion of employees.
Orrick’s Employment Law and Litigation group was recently named Labor & Employment Department of the Year in California by The Recorder, the premier source for legal news, in recognition of their significant wins on behalf of leading multinational companies on today’s most complex and challenging employment law matters.
Allison was a summer associate in Orrick's Silicon Valley office in 2008. Prior to joining Orrick, she interned in the San Mateo County Superior Court's legal research department.
Lauren works on single plaintiff and class action employment matters, defending against discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour claims in state and federal trial and appellate courts. She also assists clients with conducting internal investigations and provides clients with guidance on pay equity-related matters.
Prior to joining Orrick, Lauren spent more than seven years as an associate in the litigation group of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP representing clients in complex litigation matters, including commercial and employment actions. Lauren's practice at Sullivan & Cromwell also included an active pro bono docket focusing on reproductive rights and LGBTQ and immigration issues.
Companies are often unwittingly out of compliance, particularly those which operate in states such as California, which have rapidly evolving, employee-friendly regulations. To prevent individual discrimination or harassment allegations from spiraling into class actions, Kayla finds innovative solutions to quickly and quietly resolve such matters. She applies that same finesse when handling highly sensitive trade secret matters, which also require quick and decisive action to preserve her client’s reputation.
In addition to resolving problems before they escalate, Kayla also helps clients succeed in litigation when necessary. Undaunted by opposing counsel, government agencies or difficult fact patterns, she successfully defends clients from a variety of employment claims in state and federal court. Kayla has particular expertise in defending against large-scale class actions, including those based on systemic discrimination and pay equity claims or on wage and hour claims.
Kayla has an active pro bono practice where she counsels local non-profit organizations and helps navigate difficult employment issues so that the leaders of those organizations can focus on fulfilling their purpose and providing services to the community.
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