Monica Rodriguez
Partner
Monica Rodriguez is a seasoned advisor and litigator dedicated to addressing her clients' most complex employment challenges, particularly in wage-and-hour and labor matters. Her expertise spans various industries, encompassing wage-oriented issues in higher education, technology, retail, restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing, and extending to comprehensive strategic planning relevant to employers in all sectors.
With extensive experience in both California and federal courtrooms, Monica stands as an indispensable advocate for her clients in high-stakes disputes. These include class, representative, and single-plaintiff actions involving wage-and-hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. She also helps her clients navigate the full spectrum of labor relations issues. Monica has successfully defended employers against unfair labor practice charges, union grievances, and other labor-related disputes, while striving to prevent litigation altogether by providing practical advice on collective bargaining contract interpretation issues, among other labor relation matters. When it comes to collective bargaining, clients consistently seek Monica's expertise at the negotiating table.
Monica also runs a robust employment counseling practice. Monica advises employers on their employment policies and practices, including hiring and termination decisions, disability accommodations, mass layoffs and furloughs, and high-level severance negotiations.
A graduate of Loyola Law School, Monica has practiced law in California for more than a decade. She was previously an extern to judges serving on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Monica is passionate about mentorship and serves as the mentor co-chair on the Steering Committee of the Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, a program dedicated to helping people from underrepresented socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds enter the legal profession.
Walkaway dismissal of PAGA action*
Dismissal of wage-and-hour class action and PAGA representative action for retail client*
Dismissal of wage-and-hour class claims and stay of PAGA representative action for logistics company*
Dismissal of wage-and-hour class claims and stay of PAGA representative action for retail client*
Wage-and-hour class action and PAGA representative action for healthcare client*
Admitted to Practice
- California, 2014
Education
- J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 2014
- Editor: International and Comparative Law Review
- Dean's Honor List
- B.A., Literature & Cultural Studies, University of California, San Diego, 2011, cum laude
- Minor, Spanish Literature
- Provost Honors
Languages
- Spanish
Memberships & Affiliations
- ICAP Fellow, National Employment Law Council, 2020
- Academy Fellow, National Employment Law Council, 2018
- Former Co-chair, Webinar Subcommittee, National Employment Law Council
- Member and Mentor Co-chair, Steering Committee, Just the Beginning − A Pipeline Organization
- Former Deputy Regional President, Region 18 (Southern California), Hispanic National Bar Association
Background
- Associate, Morrison Foerster LLP, Los Angeles, 2021-2024
- Employment Counsel (Secondment), Grammarly Inc., San Francisco, 2023-2024
- University Counsel, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 2019-2021
- Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Los Angeles, 2014-2019
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Harry Pregerson, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Los Angeles, 2013
- Legal Intern, Source Interlink Companies Inc., Los Angeles, 2012-2013
- Extern, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, 2012
- Judicial Intern, Hon. Michael L. Stern, Los Angeles Superior Court, 2012
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Teresa Sanchez-Gordon, Los Angeles Superior Court, 2012