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Heather Sager’s extensive knowledge of California’s complicated statutory and regulatory requirements for employers is well-regarded by technology, retail, and finance clients alike, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. She has wide-ranging experience litigating complex wage-and-hour matters brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and similar state laws, including California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Heather’s practice was established at the forefront of the wage-and-hour class and collective actions that are now commonplace throughout the country. She emphasizes proactive risk management to avoid litigation and employs efficient and aggressive strategies to help her clients minimize exposure when faced with class, collective, representative, multi-plaintiff, or single-plaintiff lawsuits. As part of due diligence, Heather also provides risk assessments of potential labor and employment exposure in target entities and conducts policy and procedure audits both pre- and post-merger.
Heather is active in counseling and training employers on workplace harassment prevention and unconscious bias and regularly conducts investigations into allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct. She is adept at helping startup clients understand the importance of compliant policies and practices beginning at formation and frequently advises clients on leave issues, employee classification, and independent contractor status, as well as strategies for preventing and addressing misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
Heather’s experience also extends to the traditional labor realm, where she has helped clients prevail in elections, obtained injunctive relief to stop inappropriate union conduct, defeated organizing campaigns, and appeared before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on countless issues.
Previously, Heather served as chair of the firm’s San Francisco Pro Bono Committee.
Professional Recognition
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Recipient of the “Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award” from Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco, 2022
- Named among the Daily Journal's "Top 100 Women Lawyers," 2022
- Named among "Top Labor & Employment Lawyers in California" by the Daily Journal, 2022
- Recognized by Legal 500 United States, Labor and Management Relations, Labor and Employment Disputes, Defense – Labor and Employment, 2016 – 2019
- Recognized by Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment – Labor and Employment Litigation, 2015
Community Involvement
- Raphael House of San Francisco, Board of Directors, Secretary
- National Association of Women Business Owners, Bay Area Chapter
- Fordham University Law School Alumni Association
Related Employment
- Vedder Price P.C., 2013 – 2019
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 2007 – 2013
- Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, 2000 – 2007
- Jackson Lewis P.C., 1996 – 2000
