Matthew M Sonne

Sheppard Mullin
650 Town Center Drive, 10Th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 424-2802 (Phone), (714) 513-5130 (Fax)

Labor and Employment
Labor and Employment Counseling
Employee Hiring/Discipline/Termination
Employment Agreements
Handbooks and Personnel Policies
Harassment Investigation and Training
Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
Wage and Hour Regulations
Workplace Violence
Labor and Employment Litigation
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
Wage and Hour Class Actions
Wrongful Termination
International Reach
Latin America
Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Construction
Entertainment, Technology and Advertising
Fashion, Apparel and Beauty
Financial Services
Food and Beverage
Healthcare
Hospitality
Insurance
Mortgage Banking
Retail
Telecom

918657549

2005

Claremont McKenna College, B.A., magna cum laude; Claremont McKenna College, B.A., 2000 Phi Beta Kappa

University of Virginia, J.D., 2005

Experience: Published Decisions: Gau et al. v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, Inc., Case No. 20-CV-08250 (N.D. Cal. 2022)(court denies class certification in its entirety in favor of restaurant employer).; Amaro et al. v. Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, 69 Cal.App.5th 521 (2021)(PAGA settlement may extinguish claims from outside the limitations period).; Townley v. BJ's Restaurants, Inc., 37 Cal.App.5th 179 (2019) (Employer completely prevails on summary judgment in PAGA case alleging unreimbursed business expenses for slip-resistant shoes).; Morgan v. Wet Seal, Inc., 210 Cal.App.4th 1341 (2012) (Court of Appeal affirms denial of class certification in its entirety in reimbursement claim brought against retail client).; Chaaban v. Wet Seal, Inc., 203 Cal.App.4th 49 (2012) (After prevailing in a three-week jury trial in a wrongful termination case, retail employer prevails in seeking to recover its expert witness costs/fees from plaintiff. In parallel case, employer also defeated class certification in its entirety).; Madrigal v. Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., 2011 WL 10511339 (C.D. Cal. 2011) (court denies class certification in its entirety in wage-hour case against retail/restaurant employer).; Corder v. Houston's Restaurants, Inc ., 424 F. Supp. 2d 1205 (C.D. Cal. 2006) (held meal and rest periods violations were penalties subject to a one-year, rather than a four-year, statute of limitations).; Recent Victories: Achieved a complete dismissal of 'suitable seating' claims under PAGA against a retail client in Santa Clara Superior Court.; Defeated class certification for a manufacturing company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Orange County Superior Court.; Successfully defended a national clothing retailer in a jury trial before Orange County Superior Court. The Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination and retaliation in violation of public policy. Won a complete defense verdict.; Achieved what may be the first trial court ruling in California enforcing a class action waiver after the California Supreme Court's Gentry decision made such waivers difficult to enforce.; Defeated class certification for a retail service company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Sheppard Mullin
650 Town Center Drive, 10Th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 424-2802 (Phone), (714) 513-5130 (Fax)

Labor and Employment
Labor and Employment Counseling
Employee Hiring/Discipline/Termination
Employment Agreements
Handbooks and Personnel Policies
Harassment Investigation and Training
Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
Wage and Hour Regulations
Workplace Violence
Labor and Employment Litigation
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
Wage and Hour Class Actions
Wrongful Termination
International Reach
Latin America
Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Construction
Entertainment, Technology and Advertising
Fashion, Apparel and Beauty
Financial Services
Food and Beverage
Healthcare
Hospitality
Insurance
Mortgage Banking
Retail
Telecom

918657549

2005

Claremont McKenna College, B.A., magna cum laude; Claremont McKenna College, B.A., 2000 Phi Beta Kappa

University of Virginia, J.D., 2005

Experience: Published Decisions: Gau et al. v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, Inc., Case No. 20-CV-08250 (N.D. Cal. 2022)(court denies class certification in its entirety in favor of restaurant employer).; Amaro et al. v. Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, 69 Cal.App.5th 521 (2021)(PAGA settlement may extinguish claims from outside the limitations period).; Townley v. BJ's Restaurants, Inc., 37 Cal.App.5th 179 (2019) (Employer completely prevails on summary judgment in PAGA case alleging unreimbursed business expenses for slip-resistant shoes).; Morgan v. Wet Seal, Inc., 210 Cal.App.4th 1341 (2012) (Court of Appeal affirms denial of class certification in its entirety in reimbursement claim brought against retail client).; Chaaban v. Wet Seal, Inc., 203 Cal.App.4th 49 (2012) (After prevailing in a three-week jury trial in a wrongful termination case, retail employer prevails in seeking to recover its expert witness costs/fees from plaintiff. In parallel case, employer also defeated class certification in its entirety).; Madrigal v. Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., 2011 WL 10511339 (C.D. Cal. 2011) (court denies class certification in its entirety in wage-hour case against retail/restaurant employer).; Corder v. Houston's Restaurants, Inc ., 424 F. Supp. 2d 1205 (C.D. Cal. 2006) (held meal and rest periods violations were penalties subject to a one-year, rather than a four-year, statute of limitations).; Recent Victories: Achieved a complete dismissal of 'suitable seating' claims under PAGA against a retail client in Santa Clara Superior Court.; Defeated class certification for a manufacturing company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Orange County Superior Court.; Successfully defended a national clothing retailer in a jury trial before Orange County Superior Court. The Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination and retaliation in violation of public policy. Won a complete defense verdict.; Achieved what may be the first trial court ruling in California enforcing a class action waiver after the California Supreme Court's Gentry decision made such waivers difficult to enforce.; Defeated class certification for a retail service company on all counts in a wage and hour class action before the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
650 Town Center Drive, 4Th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 424-2802 (Phone)

International Practice
Latin American Practice
Labor and Employment
Labor and Employment Counseling
Wage and Hour Class Actions
Handbooks and Personnel Policies
Wage and Hour Regulations
Workplace Violence
Labor and Employment Litigation

918657549

2005, California
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Claremont McKenna College, B.A., magna cum laude, 2000 Phi Beta Kappa

University of Virginia, J.D., 2005

Spanish

Matthew Sonne is an associate in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Orange County office. He is fluent in Spanish, and frequently advises employers on Spanish-speaking workforce iss...

Sheppard Mullin Richter et al
650 Town Center Dr 4Th Fl, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-2802 (Office), (714) 513-5130 (Fax)

California - Active 2005

University of Virginia School of Law
Claremont McKenna College

Employment / Labor - 100%

650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 424-2802 (Phone), (714) 513-5130 (Fax)

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Associate

18 years

International Law
Hispanic/Latino Business
International Business

California (2005)
California
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

University of Virginia

University of Virginia, JD
Claremont McKenna College, BA