Marytza is a member of the Labor & Employment Group, focusing on the representation of employers in federal and state courts throughout California. She handles a wide variety of matters, including suits alleging claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation and other workplace torts. Marytza conducts internal investigations on a wide scope of harassment and discrimination matters and also has experience prosecuting and defending matters involving trade secrets, covenants not to compete, employee solicitation agreements and unfair competition claims.
A great deal of Marytza’s practice involves complex wage and hour litigation and she regularly represents her clients against overtime, meal/rest break and off-the clock work allegations. Marytza has successfully defended her clients against investigations and audits by governmental agencies and, when appropriate, has preemptively conducted audits of her clients’ operating policies and procedures. In addition, she makes herself available to provide relevant and practical advice to her clients on day-to-day employment issues that arise in the normal course of business.
Marytza has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation, from the discovery phase to summary judgment, through mediation and ultimately through trial. She has a strong appellate background in the preparation of writs, appeals, amicus briefs and oral advocacy before the California Court of Appeal.
Representative Matters
- Mills v. Bed Bath & Beyond – Defended class action by retail sales employees alleging that they did not receive meal and rest breaks in accordance with California law.
- Kim v. Rhumbline Legal Solutions – Defended action by former temporary attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants placed at various law firms by Rhumbline Legal Solutions, who contended that they were not properly paid overtime compensation, did not receive their required meal and rest breaks and were not reimbursed for their business expenses.
- Oliver v. College Health Enterprises, et al. – Defended class action by current and former employees alleging that they were not paid in accordance in California law and that they were denied meal and rest breaks.
- Guzman v. Ready Pac Produce, Inc. – Defended class action by current and former employees alleging that they were not paid in accordance in California law and that they were denied meal and rest breaks.
- Wales v. Shell Oil Company – Defended class action alleging misclassification of Shell and Texaco gas station managers as exempt employees and improper denial of meal and rest breaks for all exempt and non-exempt employees. Plaintiffs also contended that Shell was liable on a joint employer theory because its stations were operated by third party companies.
- Alvarez v. Bank of America, Inc. et al. – Received grant of summary judgment for the defendants in a case brought by eleven plaintiffs alleging race discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
- Accountabilities, Inc. v. Culmin Staffing Group, Inc. – Successfully defended clients against former employer’s attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order against them alleging unfair competition and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Additional Professional Experience/Services
- Advising clients in all areas of labor and employment law, particularly employee discipline and termination issues, employment policies and handbooks, workplace investigations, technology and privacy issues, litigation prevention strategies and union organizing and avoidance strategies.
- Representing clients at hearings and on-site investigations by state and federal administrative bodies including the National Labor Relations Board, Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
- In-depth investigation of employee workplace claims, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation, as well as union grievances.
- Preparation of a wide-range of legal agreements including confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, employment contracts and offer letters, separation agreements and settlement agreements.
- Presentation of sexual harassment and discrimination-prevention training for corporate and non-profit clients