Greg S. Labate

Greg Labate is a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment Practice Group in the Orange County office. He previously served as Practice Group Leader of the Labor and Employment Practice Group from 2005-2021.

Areas of Practice

Greg represents employers in a wide range of industries. He provides general advice to employers relating to labor and employment issues, and has extensive experience in defending employers against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, invasion of privacy, workplace violence, wages, and other related matters. Greg has also defended employers in numerous wage and hour class and PAGA actions, with a special emphasis on class actions in the mortgage, restaurant, retail, and manufacturing industries. He is a trial attorney who has had great success in court and in arbitration. 

Experience

Representative Clients

Marriott, Hyundai, Hillstone Restaurants, Lawry's Restaurants, Western Dental, Harbor Freight Tools, Banc of California, Lynx Grills, Timberland, Armstrong Garden Centers, The Pac-12, Mother's Market, Voluspa, Mechanics Bank, Sunstate Equipment, SureFire, Rainbow Sandals, Pacific Union Financial, HealthPointe, Stearns Lending, SoCal Self-Storage, Signify Health, Finance of America, Parex, CALO Kitchen, Carmelita's, The Authentic Hospitality Group, Sika Corporation, 5.11 Tactical, Snak-King, Athas Capital, Enevate, Green Acres Nursery, Habana Restaurants, IHOP, Don Jose's Mexican Restaurants, Talon, Diversified Health Services, Royale Health Care, CODAN, WonderMed, Katzkin Leather, and many more. 

Lectures and Appearances

Mr. Labate has presented lectures for employer's organizations such as Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), Employer's Advisory Council (EAC), Employer's Group, Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), and more. Mr. Labate has been the Keynote Speaker at PIHRA’s Annual Convention numerous times. He has also appeared on television and radio regarding labor and employment issues.

Litigation Victories

Gau v. Hillstone Restaurants (United States District Court): Defeated class certification in wage/hour class action.

Rene v. Harbor Freight Tools (Arbitration): Defeated claims for wages and bonuses.

Tran v. A and G, Inc. (Orange County Superior Court): Defeated class certification in wage/hour class action.

Icon v. REMN (Orange County Superior Court): Obtained an injunction in an employee raiding action.

Kashani v. Hyundai Information Services North America (Orange County Superior Court): Obtained a complete defense verdict in a jury trial, defeating plaintiff's claims for overtime, meal periods, rest periods, and attorney's fees.

Aspesi v. Hyundai Motor America (Orange County Superior Court): Obtained a complete defense verdict in a jury trial, defeating two plaintiffs' claims for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and more.

Johnson v. Mass Connections (Los Angeles County Superior Court): Defeated class certification in wage/hour class action.

Published Decisions

Corder v. Houston's Restaurants, Inc., 424 F. Supp. 2d 1205 (C.D. Cal.) (only one meal/rest penalty per day despite multiple meal and/or rest period violations).

Honors

Top Labor & Employment Lawyers, the Daily Journal, 2023

Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2020-2022, 2024-2025

Labor and Employment, Legal 500, 2015-2019

Recipient, Los Angeles County Special Award for Distinguished Service as General Counsel for Special Assistance for Victims in Emergency

Articles

• Layoffs Without Lawsuits: An Employer's Guide To Downsizing In These Difficult Economic Times
  Orange County Business Journal

Labor & Employment Law Blog Posts

• "Employers Under Fire: How to Address Employee Pay and Related Issues When Faced with Natural Disasters," September 5, 2023

Media Mentions

Speaking Engagements

• Labor and Employment Law Updates
• COVID In the Workplace
• Managing the Remote Workforce
• How to Avoid Class Action & PAGA Lawsuits
• Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations
• How to Hire and Fire Without Fear
• Preventing Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
• Layoffs, Downsizing & RIFs
• Employee Handbooks
• Leaves of Absence
• Employee Documentation
• Violence at Work

Events

Memberships

Labor Law Section, Orange County Bar Association