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

Litigation Victories

Puglisi v. Hillstone Restaurants (Orange County Superior Court): Settled case on very favorable terms for client during jury selection at trial.

Eckard v. Talon (Arbitration): Settled case on very favorable terms for client on first day of arbitration.

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 substantial wages and bonuses by senior executive after completed arbitration.

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 a permanent injunction in an employee raiding action.

Kashani v. Hyundai Information Services North America (Orange County Superior Court): Obtained a complete defense verdict after completed jury trial.

Aspesi v. Hyundai Motor America (Orange County Superior Court): Obtained a complete defense verdict after completed jury trial; victory reported in the Daily Journal.

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.) (court held 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
• 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.

Events

Memberships

Labor Law Section, Orange County Bar Association