Erin M. Connell

is a partner in the San Francisco office and a member of the Employment Law Group. Orrick’s Employment Law Group was recently named Labor & Employment Department of the Year in California by The Recorder, the premier source for legal news, in recognition of their significant wins on behalf of leading multinational companies on today’s most complex and challenging employment law matters.

Erin’s practice covers all aspects of employment law and involves both litigation and counseling. Erin has defended numerous class actions, EEOC systemic discrimination investigations, and complex individual cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, and other alleged wage-and-hour violations. She also regularly advises clients with respect to OFCCP audits, and conducts internal audits covering compensation, hiring, promotions, and reductions in force. Erin also assists clients in developing compensation policies and compliance measures designed to reduce potential exposure.

As an experienced trial lawyer, Erin has tried several cases before California juries and in arbitration, and successfully has obtained numerous defense summary judgment rulings and other favorable resolutions in state and federal court.

Representative clients include: Morgan Stanley, Oracle Corporation, Bank of America, The Home Depot, CVS Caremark, Varian Medical Systems, CoorsTek and Seagate Technology.
Notable engagements include:

Morgan Stanley

Member of team that obtained summary judgment and defeated class certification in wage-and-hour class action alleging compelled patronage in violation of California law and various Labor Code claims.
Member of team that defeated class certification in wage-and-hour class action challenging the exempt status of financial advisors and alleging unpaid business expenses.
Successfully resolved three related complex individual charges alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, retaliation and compensation-related claims.
Defended numerous complex individual cases involving all types of employment-related claims, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract and wage-and-hour violations.

The Home Depot.

Successfully resolved wage-and-hour class action involving claims of unpaid overtime, meal and rest break penalties and other wage-and-hour violations based on alleged misclassification of independent contractors.

Bank of America.

Defended numerous complex individual cases involving all types of employment-related claims, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract and wage-and-hour violations.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc.

Successfully tried and/or resolved claims of ten plaintiffs alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination and related claims.

EEOC/OFCCP representative matters include:

EEOC Commissioner’s charge alleging nationwide race and national origin discrimination in hiring.
Nationwide EEOC investigation alleging race and national origin discrimination in the use of criminal background checks.
Nationwide EEOC investigation alleging systemic failure to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Multiple simultaneous OFCCP audits assessing affirmative action compliance and potential systemic discrimination in hiring, promotions and compensation.
Multiple OFCCP audits and threatened DOL litigation alleging systemic gender and race discrimination in hiring.

Erin frequently speaks on California and national employment law issues, and has published numerous articles on employment law in publications around the country. She also provides training on managing within the law and preventing sexual harassment, and conducts internal investigations on employment-related matters