Partner
James A. Bowles
OVERVIEW
Labor and employment attorney James A. Bowles advises employers in avoiding litigation and represents employers when employment claims arise. Jim represents employers of all sizes in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, construction, healthcare, and restaurants.
Jim has been a pioneer in developing and successfully enforcing arbitration agreements as a strategy to avoid class action and representative lawsuits and jury trials. He is the chairman of the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Department.Jim offers clients options, such as separation agreements, early resolution settlement or mediation, or arbitration, but also defends employers through trial and appeal against a range of claims: wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, retaliation, disability discrimination, and wage and hour violations, among others.
Over four decades of experience at all state and federal courts including the Supreme Court of California and U.S. Supreme Court, Jim has achieved favorable outcomes for employers in numerous jury trials and arbitrations.
With the rise in Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits against California employers, Jim positions his clients with strategies to prevent and defend against this threat. He litigates and resolves a range of employment, labor, and contract disputes, including the defense of claims related to:
- Wage and Hour
- Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Harassment
- Wrongful Termination
- Disability Accommodation
On the labor front, Jim represents employers in union avoidance, collective bargaining, and grievance arbitration. He regularly represents multi-employer associations in their labor negotiations. While earning his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, Jim was a law clerk to the judges of the National Labor Relations Board.
- Georgetown University Law Center – J.D. 1979
- Indiana University – A.B. 1976
Defense Verdict in Jury Trial
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a large employer in a jury trial by a terminated employee alleging disability discrimination and wage and hour violations.
Defense of Disability Discrimination and Failure to Accommodate Claims
Prevailed in arbitration for a large, national employer in arbitration by terminated employee alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and wrongful termination.
Defeat of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims
Represented a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination; prevailed in arbitration.
Arbitration Win on Age Discrimination and Retaliation Claims
Prevailed for a large, national employer in arbitration by former employee alleging age discrimination and retaliation.
Appeal on Employment Arbitration Policy to the CA Supreme Court
Represented large employer in an appeal before the Supreme Court of California to defend the enforceability of the company’s employment arbitration policy.
Motions to Compel Arbitration
Brought over 100 motions to compel arbitration of pending FEHA, class action, and PAGA claims in state courts.
PAGA Litigation and Mediation
Represented over 100 employers, including manufacturing companies, construction companies, healthcare providers, and restaurants in litigating and resolving representative PAGA actions.
Employee Handbook Review
Review and revise handbooks and policies for large and small employers to ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws.
Multi-Employer Bargaining
Successfully negotiated multi-employer bargaining agreements in the construction industry containing arbitration of wage and hour disputes and PAGA exemptions.
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One California Plaza
300 So. Grand Avenue
37th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3147
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TEL: 213.620.0460
FAX: 213.624.4840