The ‘highly responsive and collaborative’ labor and employment team at Sheppard is a trusted advisor to household names from the food and beverage, automotive, and technology sectors. Clients turn to the group for its extensive disputes services, which span wage and hour class actions, discrimination claims, and allegations of retaliation, as well as partnership conflicts, breach of contract, and misappropriation of trade secrets, among other areas. Co-leader Denise Giraudo, based in Washington DC office. is highly regarded for her expertise in discrimination and trade secrets cases, in addition to litigating claims of FMLA, FLSA, and FEHA violations. Jason Kearnaghan, based in Los Angeles, is a proficient trial lawyer with considerable experience representing companies in wrongful termination, whistleblower, and retaliation lawsuits. Other indispensable practitioners include New York’s Jonathan Stoler and Brian Murphy, Chicago-based Mikela Sutrina, and Tracey Kennedy, who is located in LA.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team always puts us first and exceeds our expectations by delivering thoughtful solutions designed for our industry’s unique challenges.’

  • ‘It is clear they live their values when it comes to service. The team is always available, simplifies complex information so we understand our position, and provides access to tools that support us.’

  • ‘With their guidance, we are equipped with best practices to help avoid litigation. Jason Kearnaghan stands out in particular.’

  • ‘Paul Cowie provides constant stellar results. Hands down, the best defense side wage and hour litigator in California.’

  • ‘They are incredibly responsive and offer solutions which are consistent with our culture.’

  • ‘All of the attorneys I have worked with have been first-class in terms of their expertise and advice.’

  • ‘Lindsay Stone has been absolutely fantastic in managing matters and helping our organization navigate tricky cases and settlement discussions. Her level of skill and service is higher than nearly every other firm out there.’

  • ‘The team is extremely knowledgeable, practices in a ton of various areas, works at our speed, and is like-minded.’

  • ‘They are an extension of our business. They work at the same speed we do, and they fully understand the business needs.’

  • ‘This practice group has never lost for us. They staff matters with the appropriate amount of attorneys in order to achieve real value, and they have a deep enough bench to add resources whenever required. Great people, highly responsive and collaborative.’

Key clients

  • NetApp, Inc.
  • Beach City Performance
  • Express Tire Distributor
  • The Scott J. Saldana Irrevocable Trust
  • Tapestry, Inc.
  • Northwell Health, Inc.
  • Motion Picture Association
  • Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
  • Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.
  • Applied Materials, Inc.
  • Splunk LLC
  • Ascension Health
  • Salomon & Ludwin

Work highlights

Represented NetApp in a PAGA action concerning breach of contract claims.
Represented The Scott J. Saldana Irrevocable Trust on a case seeking to remove the LLC’s Operating Manager and elect itself.
Practice head

Denise Giraudo; Jason Kearnaghan

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Stoler; Brian Murphy; Mikela Sutrina; Tracey Kennedy; Paul Cowie; Lindsay Stone