Lauren J. Katunich

Lauren J. Katunich’s areas of practice include representation of employers in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including trade secret misappropriation, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims. Lauren’s practice also includes conducting employee training classes, drafting employee handbooks and other personnel forms and documentation, preparing employment-related agreements and auditing wage and hour compliance. Lauren frequently speaks to human resources professionals and business owners on various employment related topics, including sexual harassment training and prevention, wage and hour compliance, and the complexities of navigating state and federal medical leave laws.

Lauren has successfully represented clients in federal and state court proceedings, including summary judgments, arbitrations, and jury trials in employment and business litigation matters. Representative cases include:

• Following a six-week jury trial with testimony by over 30 witnesses, obtained complete defense verdict on claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty brought against the president and general manager of a concert video production company.  The amount sought by plaintiffs at trial exceeded $13 million and included a request for punitive damages.
• Obtained full summary judgment win for a Southern California parts manufacturer in a national origin discrimination and wrongful termination case which resulted in award of costs for the employer.
• Obtained a $1.3 million arbitration award for business development manager on a claim for unpaid commissions.

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• Negotiated numerous speedy and very favorable class action settlements for hospitality and restaurant employers in complex, multi-location wage and hour lawsuits in which hourly workers alleged failure to pay wages and overtime.
• Defended owners sued for sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination. Compelled the case to arbitration, and without jury potential, the case settled for a nominal amount.
• Following an appeal to the California Court of Appeal, and later to the California Supreme Court, obtained complete dismissal for law firm and attorney in an anti-SLAPP action.  Vafi v. McCloskey (2011) 193 Cal. App. 4th 874.

Lauren’s experience has led to her selection for inclusion in Southern California Rising Stars in the area of Employment Litigation: Defense for 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Lauren recently formed her own consulting firm dedicated to helping companies integrate corporate social responsibility initiatives into their overall business strategy. Lauren believes firmly in the principle of giving back, and devotes much of her time to charitable endeavors, including, most notably, her active involvement with Special Olympics and various animal rescues throughout Los Angeles. 

Court Memberships

• California
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Honors

• Named one of Super Lawyers’ “Top Women Lawyers in Southern California,” 2013
• Order of the Coif
• Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence 
• Law Review: Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review, Chief Note and Comment Editor
• Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society

Events

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of California
• Los Angeles County Bar Association

• Beverly Hills Bar Association, Executive Board Committee Member, Labor & Employment

• Special Olympics, Track & Field and Soccer Coach and Regional Leadership Council Board Member

• Co-Chair of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Garden Party Event, 2012 and 2013

Reported Decisions

• Vafi v. McCloskey (2011) 193 Cal. App. 4th 874 

Publications

• “Time to Quit Paying the Payola Piper: Why Music Industry Abuse Demands a Complete System Overhaul,” 22 Loy. L.A. Ent. L. Rev. 643 (2002)