Barritt Smith Miner LLP - Irvine, CA

Premier Labor and Employment Counsel in Irvine, California

Employment conflicts in California present high financial exposure and intricate regulatory hurdles for businesses and senior executives alike. Located at 2601 Main Street in Irvine, Barritt Smith Miner LLP has long served as a trusted beacon in labor and employment law throughout Orange County and nationwide. Led by founding partner Douglas A. Barritt, a seasoned employment litigator with over three decades of practice, the firm provides sophisticated defense counsel and executive advocacy that resolves contentious disputes effectively and discreetly.

A 1990 graduate of Loyola Law School where he finished in the top ten percent of his class, Mr. Barritt began his legal journey in the employment department of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton before becoming a partner at Payne and Fears LLP and subsequently co-founding Barritt Smith Miner LLP. Honored as a Southern California Super Lawyer continuously for over two decades-a distinction reserved for the top five percent of practicing attorneys-Doug Barritt brings unmatched perspective to both employer defense and high-level executive transition counseling.

Comprehensive Employer Defense and Workforce Litigation

When businesses confront workplace lawsuits, having seasoned courtroom litigators is vital. When companies choose to hire an employment attorney at Barritt Smith Miner LLP, they receive aggressive defense across California state and federal courts as well as before administrative bodies such as the California Civil Rights Department, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the California Labor Commissioner. Core defense areas include:

• Defending against wrongful termination, constructive discharge, and retaliatory firing lawsuits.
• Litigating workplace discrimination and sexual harassment claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• Representing employers in wage and hour disputes, meal and rest period claims, and overtime classifications.
• Handling whistleblower retaliation claims and workplace safety allegations before regulatory agencies.
• Defending individual managers and executives sued personally when conflict of interest rules prevent joint company representation.

Senior Executive Representation and Severance Negotiations

A cornerstone of the firm practice is advising corporate executives, physicians, and business leaders entering or exiting high-level positions. The firm negotiates executive employment contracts, complex equity compensation packages, change-of-control agreements, and confidential severance separation terms. When executives face unlawful termination or disputed bonus payouts, the legal team vigorously asserts their interests through direct negotiation, mediation, or binding arbitration.

Unfair Competition, Non-Solicitation, and Trade Secret Disputes

Protecting proprietary business assets and customer relationships is critical when key employees depart. The firm possesses extensive experience prosecuting and defending claims involving trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, customer solicitation disputes, and restrictive covenants across various industries.

Consult an Irvine Employment Law Attorney Today

Whether your organization needs an attorney to defend against a complex workplace claim, or you are an executive seeking guidance on a contract transition, Barritt Smith Miner LLP provides seasoned, thorough, and effective advocacy. Contact the Irvine office today to schedule a confidential consultation with a respected employment lawyer.