Amir Benakote

Overview

Amir Benakote concentrates his practice in labor and employment law. Mr. Benakote defends employer clients in wage-and-hour litigation, including individual and class actions, and Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims for various causes of action under the California Labor Code and federal law. The matters include unpaid wages, failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest periods, inaccurate wage statements, waiting time penalties, and misclassification.

Additionally, he defends employers in individual or multiple-plaintiff discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters including claims based on race, national origin, sex, religion, and disability discrimination. He has experience trying individual cases including a two-week jury trial on a Labor Code defamation claim, and an ADA compliance discrimination claim in which he prevailed and obtained a defense verdict. He represents employers before federal and state courts, and administrative agencies including the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

Mr. Benakote advises clients across various industries on updating employee handbooks, policies and procedures, and employment agreements. He provides counsel in navigating state and federal law regarding leaves of absence, compensation disputes, internal investigations, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment.

Before joining the firm, in addition to employment law, Mr. Benakote litigated product liability and personal injury cases, catastrophic injury trials, as well as representing plaintiffs in consumer class actions, and tort claims.

Professional Memberships

• Association of Ski Defense Attorneys (ASDA)