Matthew M. Sonne

Matt Sonne is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Orange County office and the immediate past president of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (“ABTL”). In addition to being one of the state’s leading authorities in defending employers against Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) and class actions, he is an accomplished litigator and trial attorney. Matt is also fluent in Spanish and frequently advises employers on Spanish-speaking workforce issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Matt worked in the west wing of the White House as a writer for the President. He is a frequent writer and commentator, most recently having appeared on Fox 11’s Good Day LA as a legal expert on Covid-19 workplace issues.   

Areas of Practice

Matthew concentrates his practice on labor and employment law representing employers. He litigates in multiple areas of employment law and defends against individual and class action lawsuits alleging violations of wage and hour laws, discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, breach of contract, labor code section 132a claims, and other related matters. Matthew represents employers in state and federal courts, as well as before the DLSE, EDD, and other administrative bodies. He also advises employers on handbook preparation, employment contracts and applications, and personnel policies. Matthew also has experience with the National Labor Relations Board and has represented employers in related investigations. He has experience in civil appeal practice, including briefing and oral argument before the California Court of Appeal and briefing to the California Supreme Court.  

(For more information about Matthew's experience, including his published articles, court decisions, and speeches, please click on the appropriate boxes above).

Experience

Published Decisions

Gau et al. v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, Inc., Case No. 20-CV-08250 (N.D. Cal. 2022)(court denies class certification in its entirety in favor of restaurant employer).

Amaro et al. v. Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, 69 Cal.App.5th 521 (2021)(PAGA settlement may extinguish claims from outside the limitations period).

Townley v. BJ's Restaurants, Inc., 37 Cal.App.5th 179 (2019) (Employer completely prevails on summary judgment in PAGA case alleging unreimbursed business expenses for slip-resistant shoes). 

Morgan v. Wet Seal, Inc., 210 Cal.App.4th 1341 (2012) (Court of Appeal affirms denial of class certification in its entirety in reimbursement claim brought against retail client). 

Chaaban v. Wet Seal, Inc., 203 Cal.App.4th 49 (2012) (After prevailing in a three-week jury trial in a wrongful termination case, retail employer prevails in seeking to recover its expert witness costs/fees from plaintiff.  In parallel case, employer also defeated class certification in its entirety).

Madrigal v. Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., 2011 WL 10511339 (C.D. Cal. 2011) (court denies class certification in its entirety in wage-hour case against retail/restaurant employer).

Corder v. Houston's Restaurants, Inc., 424 F. Supp. 2d 1205 (C.D. Cal. 2006) (held meal and rest periods violations were penalties subject to a one-year, rather than a four-year, statute of limitations).

Recent Victories

Achieved a complete dismissal of “suitable seating” claims under PAGA against a retail client in Santa Clara Superior Court.

Defeated class certification for a manufacturing company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Orange County Superior Court.

Successfully defended a national clothing retailer in a jury trial before Orange County Superior Court. The Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination and retaliation in violation of public policy. Won a complete defense verdict.

Achieved what may be the first trial court ruling in California enforcing a class action waiver after the California Supreme Court's Gentry decision made such waivers difficult to enforce.

Defeated class certification for a retail service company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Honors

Labor and Employment, Legal 500, 2015

Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2009-2016

Articles

• Mr. Sonne is a member of the Editorial Board of the California Labor & Employment Alert (Castle Publications Ltd.)

Labor and Employment Law Blog Posts

• "New Labor Obligations Contained In USMCA Present Risks for Covered Employers," April 28, 2021
• "Upcoming Deadline for California Employers to Report Employee Pay and Hours Worked Data to the DFEH," February 11, 2021
• "California’s Deadline is Fast Approaching: Employers Must Complete Harassment Prevention Training for English and Spanish-Speaking Workforces by Year’s End," November 10, 2020
• "U.S. Supreme Court Requires Litigants To Prove "But-For Causation" In Workplace Retaliation Lawsuits," June 27, 2013
• "Title VII's Anti-Retaliation Provisions Protect Employee's Answers To Sexual Harassment Investigator's Questions," February 3, 2009
• "Case Reminds California Employers That Handbook Language Cannot Compensate For A Missing Signature On An Employment Arbitration Agreement," December 21, 2007  
• "Ninth Circuit Recognizes Claim for Reverse Religious Discrimination and Highlights Pitfall of 'Consensus of Management' Employment Actions," May 30, 2007

Media Mentions

Speaking Engagements

• Mr. Sonne was the keynote speaker on "Case Law Updates" at the Employers Group's Workplace and Employment Law Update in Orange County.
• Mr. Sonne lectured managers and owners in the food service/restaurant industry in a presentation entitled "Wage & Hour Crisis In The Food Service Industry."
• Mr. Sonne was a presenter at a recent "Breakfast With Your Labor Lawyer" series.
• Mr. Sonne delivered a lecture in Spanish to managers at a major construction and design firm in southern California entitled "How to Prevent Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation in the Workplace."
• Mr. Sonne lectures for Castle Publications, Ltd. on Wage and Hour Laws.
• Mr. Sonne has presented lectures for employer's organizations such as Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA).
• Mr. Sonne frequently conducts seminars in sexual harassment prevention/training to supervisors and employees, in both English and Spanish. He also lectures at corporate retreats and annual meetings on employment law issues.

Events

Memberships

Member, Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section

Member, American Bar Association