I am a partner of Hawkinson Yang LLP. I represent companies, shareholders, and executives in resolving business litigation and employment disputes. I prosecute and defend actions involving trade secrets, non-solicitation, non-competition, unfair competition, founder disputes, privacy, defamation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and real estate issues, with a focus on closely-held and family business disputes.In my counsel to employers and executives, I advise on and defend a range of matters involving wrongful termination, equity, bonus, commission, independent contractor and exempt classification, discrimination/harassment, reasonable accommodation, wage & hour, PAGA, whistleblower, and retaliation claims, including in state court and in administrative matters (Labor Commissioner, EEOC/Civil Rights Department, and EDD). I have conducted employment investigations, as well as advised companies and executives in handling investigations.

 Represented startup in trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair competition dispute involving demurrers, depositions, discovery motions, trade secret issues, sealing motions, and a summary judgement motion.  Successfully demurred to entertainment-related shareholder derivative action. Prosecuted and defended matters involving breach of contract,fraud, defamation, negligence, and partition actions. Advised and defended employers against wrongful termination and whitstleblower claims. Counseled companies on employment issues such as trade secrets, employment discrimination, harassment, unfair competition (including solicitation and competition issues), employee disciplinary matters, hiring and firing, and other employment policies and procedures

 Wrote appellate brief regarding revocation of attorney’s pro hac vice status for improper communication with party. Primary associate responsible for plaintiff-side privacy case, including successful opposition of anti-SLAPP motion. Negotiated $100,000 settlement of trade secrets and unfair competition case at mediation Law & Motion: complaints, petitions, C.C.P. §128.7 motions, discovery motions, court appearances, proof of claim, etc. Discovery: written demands/responses, protracted meet and confer.

 Law & Motion: petitions, answers, orders to show cause, restraining orders, court appearances.  Discovery: written demands/responses. Supervised clients and volunteer paralegals in preparation of dissolution/paternity petitions and representation at hearings.

 Compile consumer fraud evidence via victim interviews, analysis of investigator findings and legal research. Drafted consumer declarations for telemarketing fraud case involving elderly, disabled, and non-English speaking victims. Assisted attorneys in preparing consumer protection complaint by updating legal research and incorporating declarations.