Lauren J. Katunich is Of Counsel to ECJ’s Litigation and Employment Law Departments, where her 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 claim for unpaid commissions.
- 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 resigned her partnership at ECJ to form 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.
Current Employment Position(s)
Areas of Practice
- Trade Secret Misappropriation
- Wrongful Termination
- Sexual Harassment
- Employment Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Wage and Hour Claims
- Anti-SLAPP Actions
- State and Federal Employment Law Compliance Advice
Bar Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
Education
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California, 2003
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review: Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review, Chief Note and Comment Editor
- Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 2000
B.A.
Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Published Works
Representative Cases
- Vafi v. McCloskey (2011) 193 Cal. App. 4th 874
Honors and Awards
- Cum Laude; Order of the Coif
- Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of California
Member
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member
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