Emily Mertes focuses her practice on employment law litigation and compliance, with a particular emphasis on California wage and hour matters. She regularly represents employers in class actions and representative actions brought under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), defends companies before state and federal administrative agencies, including the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), and counsels clients on strategies to mitigate litigation risk and maintain compliance with complex state and federal employment laws.
Emily has substantial experience defending employers against wage and hour class and PAGA claims involving allegations of meal and rest period violations, unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, rounding of time, regular rate calculations, expense reimbursement, and other pay practices under the California Labor Code. Her practice includes managing all phases of litigation, from early case assessment and responsive pleadings through discovery, motion practice, mediation, and/or resolution.
In addition to her litigation practice, Emily frequently advises employers on proactive compliance measures, including wage and hour audits, payroll and timekeeping reviews, and handbook and policy updates. She regularly assists clients with California specific compliance challenges, including travel time and reimbursement policies, and complex regular rate of pay calculations.
Emily regularly works with employers across the facility services and maintenance, hospitality and food service, professional and staffing services, technology, retail and e-commerce, financial services, property management, manufacturing, consumer products, and sports and entertainment industries, advising both regional and national employers on day to day employment issues and high exposure litigation matters.