James A. Becerra focuses on advising and defending employers with claims involving:
- Trade secret misappropriation, theft of confidential information, and unfair competition
- Breach of employment agreements
- Wage and hour class actions
- Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
James litigates matters before courts and governmental agencies across California and the country from inception to completion, including investigation, assessment and settlement, discovery and depositions, dispositive motions, trial/hearing, and appeal.
James also routinely partners with in-house counsel, human resources, and executives, to employ strategies intended to meet business needs and reduce risk of litigation, including:
- Investigating and securing the return of, preventing public disclosure of, and preventing unauthorized use of, confidential company property or information
- Preparing and advising on restrictive covenants and employment agreements, including with respect to breach and termination
- Auditing and revising wage and hour policies and practices
- Investigating and advising on complaints of harassment/discrimination, as well as discipline, performance management, and terminations
During law school, James served as the editor-in-chief of the Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal, and wrote his note on the impact of implicit bias in the workplace. He also participated in the mediation clinic, mediating numerous claims across courts in Los Angeles County. He obtained the highest grade in USC's class on employment law, among other classes.