Julia Collins Riechert

is a senior associate in the Silicon Valley office and a member of the employment law group.

Orrick’s employment law group was named the 2013 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.

Ms. Riechert began her Orrick career as a summer associate in 2006; and has defended many companies in class action, multi-plaintiff and single plaintiff wage-and-hour lawsuits under California and federal law. She has experience defending employers against a variety of wage-and-hour claims, including claims of misclassification and for unpaid wages, off-the-clock work, meal and rest break penalties, expense reimbursement, vacation pay and suitable seating. Ms. Riechert has assisted in successfully defeating class certification in wage-and-hour class actions, including for employers in the retail and technology industries.

Ms. Riechert has defended companies and individual defendants in single plaintiff lawsuits under California and federal law, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, defamation, blacklisting and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as disability and leave of absence claims. She has handled many government agency charges for her clients, as well as government audits. She has also helped clients resolve pre-litigation matters arising from employment terminations.

Ms. Riechert provides employment counseling to companies on a variety of employment issues, including terminations, compensation practices, performance management, independent contractor classification and policy implementation. Her clients have included retailers such as Gap, Gymboree, Pottery Barn, Chico’s, Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., and Diane Von Furstenberg Studio, L.P. She has also represented many technology clients, including Genentech, Varian, Intuit, NVIDIA, Juniper Networks, VMware and Electronic Arts.

Ms. Riechert also performs pro bono work, including employment law training for small business owners and drafting employee handbooks for non-profit organizations. She was also part of a team that obtained summary judgment for The Humane Society of the United States, upholding a California statute banning cruel animal trapping.