Jason W. Kearnaghan

Jason W. Kearnaghan is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Los Angeles office.

Areas of Practice

Mr. Kearnaghan represents employers in state and federal courts with respect to all facets of employment law including wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment.  A significant portion of his practice is devoted to the defense of complex wage and hour class action litigation.  He has experience representing employers in union negotiations, organizing campaigns, elections, union grievance proceedings and unfair labor proceedings. Mr. Kearnaghan also represents clients before state and federal administrative agencies, such as the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the National Labor Relations Board.

Prior to joining Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Mr. Kearnaghan practiced business litigation in the health care context.  His practice included contractual disputes and managed care liability for Fortune 500 health care service providers and subsidiaries.  He also served in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps as a trial attorney in criminal prosecution.

Education

• J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, 1999
• B.A., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1995

Admissions

• California
• Minnesota
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court, Central, Northern and Southern Districts

Articles

Co-authored the article "Recent Developments in Medicine and Law" published in the Winter 2005 edition of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Journal.

Labor & Employment Law Blog Articles

• "A Victory For Employers In California Tip Pooling Case", August 13, 2010
• "The California Supreme Court Upholds The Attorney-Client Privilege", December 2, 2009
• "Sheppard Mullin Wins Major Victory in Challenge to 12-Hour Shift Pay Practices", January 3, 2008
• "California Supreme Court Grants Pre-Class Certification Access to Class Member Contact Information", February 21, 2007

Speeches

• PIHRA Mid Year Legal Update, July 12, 2011, Pasadena, CA
• PIHRA Mid Year Legal Update, August 10, 2010, Pasadena, CA

Events

• Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer - Los Angeles, September 21, 2011, Labor & Employment Law Update Fall 2011
• Labor & Employment Law Update & Happy Hour - Los Angeles, March 8, 2011
• Labor & Employment Law Update & Happy Hour - Los Angeles, September 22, 2010, Our New, Improved, and FREE Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer (in the Evening!)
• California's Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training Webinar, August 18, 2010, Help Your Company Meet the Requirements of AB 1825