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Shareef Farag

He | Him | His

Partner

Los Angeles
T +1.310.979.8472
F +1.310.820.8859
sfarag@bakerlaw.com
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Overview

As co-leader of BakerHostetler’s Wage and Hour team, Shareef Farag assists employers with wage and hour compliance and defending class and representative actions across a wide array of industries. His experience as first and second chair in trials and arbitrations provides him with the insight to advise clients on how to avoid and mitigate risk in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Shareef places a high importance on the client’s business goals and proactively educates employers on new laws and regulations, ensuring they are prepared when new legislation comes into effect. Additionally, he assists clients in business-related issues, including single plaintiff and commercial litigation matters. By gaining a deep understanding of a client’s business from the outset, Shareef provides a high level of service that is focused on meeting client goals with an eye toward the client’s bottom line.

Select Experience

  • Frequently leads wage and hour compliance audits across a wide array of industries, thereby assisting clients with mitigating risk.
  • Obtained dismissal and affirmance of that dismissal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of a putative wage and hour class action premised on a novel theory seeking unpaid wages for time spent undergoing airport security procedures.
  • Defended dozens of California wage and hour and PAGA claims, both individual and class/collective, including claims related to meal and rest breaks; pay practices; overtime; wage statements; reimbursement of business expenses; and unfair competition.
More »

Experience

  • Frequently leads wage and hour compliance audits across a wide array of industries, thereby assisting clients with mitigating risk.
  • Obtained dismissal and affirmance of that dismissal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of a putative wage and hour class action premised on a novel theory seeking unpaid wages for time spent undergoing airport security procedures.
  • Defended dozens of California wage and hour and PAGA claims, both individual and class/collective, including claims related to meal and rest breaks; pay practices; overtime; wage statements; reimbursement of business expenses; and unfair competition.
  • Oversaw preparation of summary judgment motion based on a novel argument regarding California’s minimum wage laws. While the motion was pending, played a critical role in negotiating a favorable settlement.
  • Represents clients and provides day-to-day management of numerous wage and hour class actions.
  • Successfully mediates and settles matters with advantageous terms for the clients.
  • Oversaw preparation of motion for summary judgment, which was granted and resulted in the dismissal of all plaintiff’s claims pursuant to the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
  • First-chaired numerous labor arbitrations, including the examination of all witnesses and all post-hearing briefings.
  • First- and second-chair trial experience.
  • Represented a national financial institution in a single-plaintiff disability discrimination arbitration that resulted in a defense award.
  • Successfully negotiated numerous pre-litigation settlements, thereby avoiding litigation and securing favorable resolutions for the clients.
  • Regularly assists clients in modifying company policies to remain compliant with evolving California law.
  • Conducts harassment and management education training, as well as workplace investigations for clients.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Legal 500 United States (2019)
    • Recommended in Labor and Employment Disputes (including collective actions): Defense
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2020 to Present)
    • California: Litigation – Labor & Employment
    • California: Labor Law – Management
  • Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2013 to 2021)
    • Up & Coming (2018)

Memberships

  • California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP)
  • National Employment Law Council

News

News

Publications

Alerts

Podcasts

Blog Posts

Events

Pro Bono

  • Provides advice and counsel to P.S ARTS, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth by providing arts education in public schools and communities.
  • Previously advised the Catholic Big Brothers and Sisters Los Angeles Chapter.

Services

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • California

Education

  • J.D., Loyola Law School, 2007
  • B.A., Politics and Legal Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2003

Blog

In The Blogs

Previous Next
Employment Law Spotlight
California Supreme Court Significantly Relaxes Employee Burden to Prevail on Section 1102.5 Claims
By Shareef Farag, Matthew J. Goodman
February 10, 2022
The Decision On Jan. 27, 2022, the Supreme Court of California issued Lawson v. PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc., No. S266001, ___ Cal. 5th ____, a decision that decisively changed the burden for employers in defending against claims under...
Read More ->
Employment Class Action Blog
Lessons from 2021 on Avoiding Class Action Claims for Meal and Rest Break Violations in California
By Shareef Farag, Ari Spitzer
February 4, 2022
In 2021, the California Supreme Court handed down two important decisions, Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC and Ferra v. Loews Hollywood, LLC, that reinforce and refine tried-and-true lessons about meal and rest breaks. As California employers...
Read More ->
Employment Law Spotlight
Tried and True Lessons from 2021 on Meal and Rest Break Best Practices for California Employers
By Shareef Farag, Ari Spitzer
January 31, 2022
In 2021, the California Supreme Court handed down two important decisions, Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC and Ferra v. Loews Hollywood, LLC, that reinforce and refine tried and true lessons about meal and rest breaks. As California employers...
Read More ->
Employment Law Spotlight
AB 2457: A Potential Helping Hand for California Employers in a Time of Need
By Shareef Farag
June 3, 2020
With the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 forcing businesses to shut their doors for months, coupled with resulting furloughs and layoffs, California employers could use a helping hand. Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) has...
Read More ->

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