About Amy
Amy S. Williams represents local, regional and national employers in all aspects of California employment law and related litigation. Her practice has a special emphasis on aggressively defending wage and hour class action and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits. In fact, Williams is one of the few attorneys who has litigated a PAGA claim through trial. She successfully manages and defends sophisticated and complex employment litigation matters using cutting edge and creative defense strategies. Clients rely on her ability to evaluate the merits of the underlying claims and prepare potential exposure analyses, assess and develop early procedural, litigation and resolution strategies, and identify considerations regarding the effect a lawsuit may have on the company’s operations, as well as any impact in the areas of the media and competition.
In addition to her class action experience, Williams also has extensive experience litigating and arbitrating claims of individual wage and hour violations, gender, disability and age discrimination, retaliation, harassment, defamation and wrongful termination.
Williams frequently assists California employers with litigation avoidance strategies by developing, implementing, and auditing their employment policies and practices, and providing invaluable strategic recommendations. She also provides ongoing advice, counsel and training to ensure her clients maintain policies, practices and procedures in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
When clients partner with Williams, whether defending complex litigation matters or preparing policies and procedures to ensure compliance, they know they have a true business partner in their corner.
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Education
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 2003
Arizona State University, B.S., Exercise Science/Physical Therapy, cum laude, 1997
Publications
"Combatting the Rise in Wage and Hour and PAGA Litigation in the Health Care Industry," Co-Author, Daily Journal, November 2021
"Sit or Stand Is the Question for California Employers," Co-Author, Today's General Counsel, Summer Edition, July 2019
"How To Protect Against The Continued Onslaught Of Wage And Hour Litigation," Orange County Business Journal, October 2015
Written Opinions
Levanoff v. Dragas, 65 Cal. App. 5th 1079 (2021), rehearing denied (July 14, 2021)
Harrison v. Islands Restaurants, No. G038059, 2008 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1234 (Cal. Ct. App. Feb. 14, 2008)
Presentations
"Navigating the New PAGA - A Strategic Guide for Employers," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, September 2024
"California Arbitration Agreements: Clarity Amid Complexity," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, May 2024
"Consequences of No-Poach Agreements: Civil and Criminal," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, May 2022
"Combatting the Rise in Wage & Hour and PAGA Litigation in the Healthcare Industry," Panelist, CDF Healthcare Education Webinar Series, October 2021
"The 'Golden State' of PAGA: Status and Trends of CA Wage and Hour Litigation," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, August 2021
"Minimizing Risk and Exposure From Wage & PAGA Claims in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, October 2020
“Critical PAGA Considerations,” Co-Presenter, OCBA Labor & Employment Symposium, September 2020
"Cutting Edge Trends in PAGA Litigation," Co-Presenter, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, November 2018
"Cutting Edge Trends in PAGA Litigation," Co-Presenter, Retail Industry Leaders Association's 2018 Retail Law Conference, October 2018
"California Labor and Employment Law Year in Review – Key Developments from 2017 and Tips to Ensure Compliance in 2018," Co-Presenter, Orange County Bar Association, February 2018
"What California Employers Need to Know About Wage & Hour Class Actions & PAGA Lawsuits," CDF Webinar Series, October 2015
