Ryan McCortney

Ryan McCortney is of counsel in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm’s Orange County office.

Areas of Practice

Ryan represents employers in litigation and labor and employment law matters. He counsels companies in a variety of industries, including restaurants, hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, high-tech, and aerospace. Ryan also represents employers in state and federal trial court and appellate proceedings as well as administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and OSHA.

Ryan litigates employment-related claims, including wrongful termination, breach of contract, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage/hour disputes, unfair labor practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair competition. He represents numerous employers in class action lawsuits, representative actions (including those brought under the Private Attorneys General Act), and collective actions. Ryan has also litigated claims arising out of partnership disputes. He counsels employers on a wide range of state and federal laws and regulations.

Ryan argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the employer in Hoffman Plastic Compounds, Inc. v. NLRB, 122 S.Ct. 1275, 535 U.S. 137 (2002), in which the Court found in favor of the employer in a 5-4 decision.  The case involved whether undocumented workers are entitled to backpay under the National Labor Relations Act.

Experience

Mr. McCortney was on special assignment at a large aerospace company from May through September, 1991 where he advised all levels of management on employment issues.

Honors

Southern California Super Lawyer, 2007-2023

Recognized, Labor and Employment and Labor and Employment Litigation, Legal 500, 2011-2014

Top Labor & Employment Attorney, Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2011

Memberships

Member, Labor and Employment Law Section, California State Bar Association

Member, Labor and Employment Law Section, American Bar Association