One of the founding partners of CDF, Timothy M. Freudenberger represents California and national employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation, with a special emphasis on defending class action wage and hour lawsuits and other complex employment litigation matters.  He heads CDF’s class action defense litigation practice group. 

Freudenberger’s extensive record of achievement in class action defense includes a reported decision in Jimenez v. Domino's Pizza, Inc. in which he obtained a denial of class certification in misclassification claims against the national restaurant company. 

He has practiced at the forefront in wage and hour class actions as these mass claims began, then burgeoned and threatened employers throughout the state.  For more than a decade, Freudenberger has repeatedly obtained dismissals and defeated class certification, often through strategic deposition techniques and investigation of putative classes that reveal critical evidence in support of his employer clients.

His litigation counsel and representation spans the full scope of employment law and workplace claims, including single plaintiff claims.  These range from wrongful termination, employment discrimination, sexual harassment and trade secrets misappropriation, to unfair competition, wage and hour, and traditional labor-management relations matters.  

Freudenberger’s extensive experience also extends to representing both large and small companies in business disputes and related litigation.  His case background encompasses such commercial disputes as intellectual property claims, breach of contract, breach of franchise or license agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the duty of loyalty, interference with prospective economic advantage, interference with contractual relations, defamation, fraud and negligence.

In addition to employee-generated claims, Freudenberger also represents his clients in lawsuits brought by their customers alleging discrimination, invasion of privacy, negligent hiring, supervision or retention, and other claims under various federal and state laws.

Education

University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 1988

•    Hastings Law Journal
•    Phi Delta Phi
•    American Jurisprudence Award Recipient in Employment Law Seminar and Labor Negotiation Seminar

University of California at San Diego, B.A., Political Science, 1985

•     Provost’s Honors List, 1981-1985

Written Opinions

Duran v. U.S. Bank National Association, 203 Cal. App. 4th 212 (2012)

Coleman v. Estes Express Lines, Inc. (9th Cir. 2010) 627 F.3d 1096

Jimenez v. Domino's Pizza, Inc., 238 F.R.D. 241 (C.D. Cal. 2006)

Koo v. Rubio's Restaurants, Inc., 109 Cal.App.4th 719 (2003)

Lee v. Bank of America, NT&SA, 27 Cal.App 4th 197 (1994)

Perry v. U.S. Bank (N.D.Cal.) 2001 WL34920473

Publications

“Class Action Meal and Rest Periods Claims, The Newest Rash of Class Action Lawsuits Against Employers,” Managing a Workforce, 2002 

"Catching the Wave - The 6 Biggest Practice Areas," California Lawyer Magazine, May 2006, quoted on class action litigation

Presentations

"Wage & Hour Class Actions: What Companies Doing Business in California Need to Know," CDF Webinar Series, September 2012

"California Comes to Texas: Pressing Issues in Managing the California Workforce,” California Wage and Hour Class Action Litigation Update, Texas Symposium, 2007

Professional Affiliations / Leadership / Awards

Top Labor and Employment Law Attorney in California, Daily Journal, 2012

Member, State Bar of California

Member, Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Civic Activities

Camino Real PLAYHOUSE, San Juan Capistrano, Board of Directors, 2002-2007

Youth Basketball, Football, and Roller Hockey Coach, 2001-2010