Hoge Fenton’s employment lawyers help employers navigate California’s complex workplace laws, from hiring and compensation to employee management and termination. We advise companies on day-to-day personnel and benefits questions, help identify compliance risks, and defend employers in employment litigation and administrative proceedings.
With offices in San Jose, San Mateo, and Pleasanton, we serve employers throughout Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Hoge Fenton has been recognized in Best Law Firms® for Litigation – Labor and Employment in the San Jose metropolitan region.
Employment Law Advice and Counsel
Employment decisions affect both legal risk and business operations. We work with executives, human resources professionals, and managers to develop clear policies, address workplace concerns, and make informed decisions before disputes arise.
Our advice reflects the practical demands of running a business and covers:
- Hiring practices and pre-employment compliance
- Employee handbooks and personnel policies
- Leaves of absence and workplace accommodations
- Employee privacy and workplace security
- Compensation, wage and hour compliance, and exempt and nonexempt employee classifications
- Performance evaluations, employee discipline, and termination
- Union labor-management relations
- Independent contractor classifications
- Trade secret and confidential information protection
- Noncompetition agreements and other restrictive covenants, including their enforceability
- Employee benefits and compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
- Supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs), deferred compensation, stock options, and retirement and disability benefits
- Employee records management and retention
- Health coverage continuation and COBRA
Litigation
We defend employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), and the California Labor Commissioner.
From the initial response through settlement or trial, we develop defense strategies that account for our clients’ business priorities, potential exposure, and costs. Our employment litigation practice includes:
- Sexual harassment and other workplace harassment claims
- Discrimination based on age, race, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, and other protected characteristics
- Whistleblower claims and retaliation for legally protected activity
- Trade secrets misappropriation
- Disputes involving noncompetition and nonsolicitation restrictions
- Interference with employment relationships and other unfair business practices
- Wage and hour claims involving overtime, minimum wage, and meal and rest breaks
- Employee and independent contractor classifications
- Employee privacy issues
- Employment contract disputes
- Claims under the California Labor Code, Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and other employment laws
- Workplace safety matters under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and related regulations
Employment Compliance Audits
Our employment lawyers review human resources policies, procedures, agreements, employee classifications, and compensation structures to identify compliance gaps and potential sources of disputes.
We explain our findings, help clients prioritize corrective steps, and recommend practical improvements to support compliance and reduce litigation risk.
Employment Law Training for Managers and HR Teams
We provide tailored employment law training for executives, boards of directors, human resources professionals, and managers. Our programs help participants recognize legal risks, respond to workplace concerns, and apply sound employment practices.
Topics range from hiring, wage and hour compliance, and leave management to harassment prevention, employee discipline, and termination. We also address emerging legal developments that affect employers.
Explore our employment law training programs.
Responsive Support for Workplace Decisions
Employment questions often require timely action. We work closely with clients to understand their operations and provide prompt, practical guidance when workplace issues arise. Whether addressing an immediate personnel concern or planning a longer-term compliance initiative, we help employers make informed decisions and move forward.
