I am the Managing Partner of the San Francisco office of Payne & Fears LLP. I represent businesses in all aspects of employment law and related litigation. I defend companies in a wide variety of matters, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, defamation and other employment-related torts, disability accommodation, and wage and hour violations. I have substantial class and collective action experience and have successfully defended national employers in actions involving allegations of wage and hour violations under federal and state law. I also specialize in negotiating and litigating restrictive covenants, trade secrets litigation, and whistleblower litigation.In addition to my litigation practice, I provide strategic advice on employment risk management and am a frequent lecturer on employment issues for clients and outside groups.