About Kent
One of the few California employment lawyers with extensive wage and hour class action trial experience, Kent J. Sprinkle represents and advises employers in class actions, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour matters. Kent brings over ten years of employment defense experience to his litigation, advice and counseling practice.
Kent has extensive experience in class action cases, including trials and appellate work in state and federal courts. He was a part of the trial and appellate team in Duran v. U.S. Bank, 59 Cal.4th 1 (2014), a California Supreme Court decision that helped to shape class action certification and trial principles in employment cases, and which was followed by a further victory before the Court of Appeal after remand, Duran v. U.S. Bank, 19 Cal.App.5th 630 (2018).
Kent enjoys working with clients in varied industries and learning about different businesses and the challenges and unique employment-law issues facing California and national employers.
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Areas of Practice
Class Actions
Wage and Hour Issues
Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
Business Reorganization, Restructuring and Downsizing
Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
Education
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 2003
- Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly
- Tony Patiño Fellow
University of San Francisco, B.A., cum laude, English Literature, 2000
Written Opinions
Duran v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, 59 Cal. 4th 1 (2014)
Duran v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass’n (“Duran II”), 19 Cal.App.5th 630 (2018)
Trahan v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, 2015 WL 75139 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 6, 2015)
Presentations
“Managing Employees – Make The Law Work For You,” California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) Spring Conference, San Diego, April 2018
"How California Employers Can Protect Themselves from the Coming Wave of PAGA Litigation: Not a Joking Matter," CDF Webinar Series, April 2015
"Social Media in the Workplace," California Restaurant Association, July 2012
Professional Affiliations/Leadership/Awards
Received CLAY Award for being recognized as one of the Attorneys of the Year, Class Actions, California Lawyer, 2015
Listed, Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Star, 2013 - 2017
Civic Activities
Board of Trustees of the UC Hastings College of the Law Foundation, 2017 - present
The Tony Patiño Fellowship, Board Member, 2008 - present
- Nonprofit organization that awards law-school scholarships at U.C. Hastings, University of Chicago and Columbia University
Pro Bono
Boys Hope Girls Hope, San Francisco Bay Area, Ongoing Counsel, 2009 - present
