Steven A. Groode represents and counsels management clients in connection with all types of labor and employment matters arising under state and federal law. Since joining Littler Mendelson in 2000, he has handled a wide range of employment-related litigation, representing employers in:

• Administrative hearings and trials
• Arbitrations and mediations
• Depositions
• Settlement proceedings
• Discrimination and harassment cases
• Trade secret misappropriation actions
• Grievances arising from collective bargaining agreements
• Actions involving claimed wage and hour violations, including class actions

He has notable expertise with the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

Additionally, Steven has served as a mediator in more than 40 cases involving personal injuries, landlord/tenant disputes and breach of contract issues. He also has presented information on a range of employment law topics, including:

• Defending wrongful termination claims
• Drafting executive employment agreements
• Protecting trade secrets

Steven also holds a Masters of Dispute Resolution, was selected as a dispute resolution fellow and served as an extern for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. In law school, he worked as an extern for the Honorable Lourdes G. Baird in the United States District Court, Central District, was a member of the Pepperdine Law Review, and was an interschool advocate in Pepperdine's Honors Appellate Advocacy Program, through which he finished as a semi-finalist or higher in several competitions.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Steven enjoyed a career in sales and sales management.

RECOGNITION

• Winner, Best Petitioner's Brief - National Labor & Employment Competition, Spring 2000
• Named, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2000
• Order of the Barristers