Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP

Attorney

Warren J. Higgins

Partner

Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP
One California Plaza
300 So. Grand Avenue, 37th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071-3147

  • (213) 620-0460 - General
  • (213) 624-4840 - Fax

WARREN J. HIGGINS represents employers in a multitude of different labor and employment matters.  He has extensive experience handling all aspects of employment litigation, including discovery, trial, and appellate work. Mr. Higgins has successfully defended claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, and Labor Code violations.  He has handled and resolved wage and hour claims, administrative complaints, and Labor Code Section 132a and Labor Code Section 4553 (“serious and willful”) petitions.  He has also represented employers in labor disputes.  Mr. Higgins contributes articles to publications and speaks at seminars regarding key developments in the field of employment law.

WARREN J. HIGGINS represents employers in a multitude of different labor and employment matters.  He has extensive experience handling all aspects of employment litigation, including discovery, trial, and appellate work. Mr. Higgins has successfully defended claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, and Labor Code violations.  He has handled and resolved wage and hour claims, administrative complaints, and Labor Code Section 132a and Labor Code Section 4553 (“serious and willful”) petitions.  He has also represented employers in labor disputes.  Mr. Higgins contributes articles to publications and speaks at seminars regarding key developments in the field of employment law.

Mr. Higgins has represented employers in numerous different forums.  These include California state trial and appellate courts, the United States District Court (various districts), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  Mr. Higgins has also represented employers in arbitration proceedings and before various administrative agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the United States Department of Labor, the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

Employer Race/Disability Discrimination

Successfully represented an employer in a lawsuit filed in state court, alleging claims of race and disability discrimination, wrongful termination and retaliation.  The court granted a defense motion to compel arbitration despite plaintiff’s vigorous challenge to the enforceability of the arbitration agreement between the parties.  At arbitration, the employer prevailed as to all claims after a multi-day hearing.  Defeated plaintiff’s subsequent attempt to vacate the arbitration award in court.

Employer Pregnancy Discrimination Harassment

Defended an employer and manager in a pregnancy discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination case initially filed in state court.  Successfully compelled plaintiff to submit claims against all defendants to arbitration based on arbitration agreement with the employer.  At arbitration, the arbitrator issued a complete defense award in favor of both the employer and manager.

Employer Discrimination Wrongful Termination for Whistleblowing

Obtained summary judgment in state court for employer in a case involving claims for disability discrimination and wrongful termination.  The plaintiff claimed she was terminated because of her alleged whistleblowing activities and because of a mental disability.  The court rejected all of the plaintiff’s claims and entered judgment in the employer’s favor.

Employer Charged for Race Discrimination and Retaliation

Successfully represented a large employer in a lengthy trial involving claims of race discrimination and retaliation where plaintiff sought $1 million in damages. After the defense rested its case, the plaintiff dismissed her claims against the employer.

Employer Cases Federal and State

Obtained summary judgment for employers in numerous cases in both federal and state courts.