Amy Patton represents employers in state and federal courts in a broad range of labor and employment law matters, including claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, trade secret misappropriation and wage and hour violations. She handles both single-plaintiff litigation and class actions in state and federal court and has appeared before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
In addition to her litigation practice, Amy assists management in the development of sound workplace practices and policies. She counsels employers on compliance with family and medical leave laws, wage and hour compliance and employee discipline issues. She advises clients on the creation and implementation of leave programs, conducts wage-hour and pay practices audits, analyzes exemption status under state and federal law and drafts and updates employee handbooks and other personnel policies.
Amy is the Chair of the firm's Employment Law Group and Co-Chair of the firm's Marketing & Business Development Committee. In 2016, Amy was the Chair of the Orange County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section. Currently, Amy is the Co-Chair of the Women in Compliance Affinity Group for the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).
Before joining Payne & Fears LLP, Amy was an associate for five years with Latham & Watkins, where she obtained significant experience in all areas of employment and labor law and in business litigation. Amy started her legal career in the labor and employment department of a regional law firm in Texas. She also practiced in the commercial litigation department of a regional law firm in Arizona.
