Giancarlo Urey

Partner

Co-chair, Practice Group DEI Committee (Employment Services)

Chair, Los Angeles Hiring Committee

There's no single solution in litigation, so I strive to develop creative solutions for my clients' employment litigation needs.

Giancarlo Urey understands that, while employment cases often share similar themes or patterns, every employment case comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities. A creative and strategic trial attorney, Giancarlo collaborates with his clients to develop the most effective, practical and cost-efficient solutions to their litigation problems.

From small family-owned companies to large multinational corporations, Giancarlo has extensive experience guiding companies as they face potentially high-exposure claims from current and former employees. His practice includes defending against claims of wage and hour violations, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and defamation. Giancarlo has significant experience trying these types of cases to successful conclusions. Through this dynamic practice, he has developed a particular focus on employment law issues unique to several industries, including medical/healthcare, financial services, hospitality, and entertainment.

Giancarlo has held a number of leadership roles in the firm. He is currently the Pro Bono Coordinator for the Los Angeles office and is a past member of the Diversity & Inclusion and Attorney Evaluation Committees.

Practice Highlights

Single- and multi-plaintiff employment representation

Defending clients against claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in federal and state courts and arbitration, including evaluating, based on individual aspects of the case, whether arbitration is preferred over litigation.

Class action and collective action representation

Advises and represents clients in wage and hour class action and collective action litigation in lawsuits involving up to more than 1,000 putative class members, with focus on determining how, if at all, class certification can be defeated.

Defense verdict for public utilities company

Served as trial counsel in a case where seven plaintiffs alleged race and age discrimination and retaliation after they were disciplined for making unauthorized financial adjustments to their own utility accounts or the utility accounts of friends and family members. Obtained a complete defense verdict after a four-week trial on all 19 claims, after only three hours of deliberation. Jury verdict upheld in its entirety by Division One of the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington, and the Washington Supreme Court declined review.

Admitted to Practice

California, 2009
Washington, 2021

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2009
- Development Editor, California Law Review
- Managing Editor, Berkeley La Raza Law Journal
- Co-chair, La Raza Law Students Association
B.A., Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, 2005, magna cum laude

Languages

Spanish

Professional Recognition

- Selected to "Top 100 Lawyers," Los Angeles Business Journal, 2022
- Selected to a list of "Minority Leaders of Influence," Los Angeles Business Journal, 2021
- Leadership Counsel & Legal Diversity (Pathfinder Program), 2018
- Recipient of the "Freedom of Information Award," ACLU of Southern California, 2014

Background

- Associate, Morrison & Foerster LLP, Los Angeles, 2010-2013
- Law Clerk, Hon. Bruce J. McGiverin, U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2009
- Summer Associate, Morrison & Foerster LLP, Los Angeles, 2008
- Law Student Clerk, Employment Law Division, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 2007

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