Vartan S. Madoyan

Counsel

Los Angeles
T +1.310.442.8884
F +1.310.820.8859

Overview

Vartan Madoyan represents and advises employers in all types of employment litigation, with specific focus on wage and hour class actions and PAGA actions. He is one of the few attorneys in California to take a class action and PAGA action to trial, where nearly all claims were dismissed or decertified. Vartan's practice also includes single-plaintiff claims, advice and counsel, and due diligence. Additionally, he is on the forefront of the emerging area of independent contractor classification in California.

Vartan applies his broad knowledge of employment litigation matters to a wide variety of industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, food services, financial services, technology, communications, and distribution and franchise. Vartan brings a practical, conscientious approach to his practice, and strives to effectively work with clients to balance their legal and business needs.

Select Experience

  • Second-chaired a five-week class action and PAGA action trial involving eight-figure exposure. On behalf of client, obtained favorable defense verdict on nearly all claims, and obtained decertification of other claims at trial.
  • Obtained summary judgment on highly contested discrimination, harassment, and retaliation lawsuit.
  • Opposed class certification of kitchen-sink class actions.
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Experience

  • Second-chaired a five-week class action and PAGA action trial involving eight-figure exposure. On behalf of client, obtained favorable defense verdict on nearly all claims, and obtained decertification of other claims at trial.
  • Obtained summary judgment on highly contested discrimination, harassment, and retaliation lawsuit.
  • Opposed class certification of kitchen-sink class actions.
  • Defended complex misclassification class action lawsuit up to the eve of the trial.
  • Conducts statewide and nationwide wage and hour audits for Fortune 500 companies and other clients.
  • Advises clients on independent contractor misclassification in the post-Dynamex and AB5 world.
  • Handles day-to-day management of all aspects of pre-litigation and litigation strategy, including unique avenues to dismiss claims and narrow scope of cases.
  • Works through arbitration and/or mediation of employment cases, including wage and hour class actions and PAGA actions, single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff cases, and FEHA and EEO claims.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Beverly Hills Bar Association

Pro Bono

  • Settled a wage and hour case for a small amount on behalf of an educational client in a pre-complaint dispute.
  • Filed an amicus brief with the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in D.R. Horton, Inc. v. NLRB, in favor of arguments that class action waivers in employment arbitration agreements did not violate Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

Prior Positions

  • Judicial Extern to the Honorable Gary A. Feess, United States District Court, Central District of California (2010)
  • Judicial Extern to the Honorable Victoria S. Kaufman, United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California (2009)

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • California

Education

  • J.D., Loyola Law School, 2011, Order of the Coif, cum laude, Dean's list; Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review, Chief Articles Editor, Staff Editor; Dean's Scholar; Sayre-MacNeil Scholar; Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society; St. Thomas More Law Honor Society
  • B.A., Economics, University of California, San Diego, 2007, Provost's Honors List

Blog

In The Blogs

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Employment Class Action Blog
California Court Affirms Value of Employee Time Punches in Defeating Class Certification
By Vartan S. Madoyan
May 12, 2021
In a sweet ruling for employers, a California court of appeal affirmed a trial court’s denial of class certification of a meal break claim due to employee timekeeping records. This decision, Salazar v. See’s Candy Shops Inc., is...
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