James Payer focuses his practice on representing employers in complex wage and hour litigation, including class actions, collective actions under the FLSA, and representative actions under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). He defends clients across a range of industries—including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and hospitality—both in California and nationwide.
James has secured favorable outcomes for clients through strategic motion practice, including motions to compel arbitration and motions based on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) defenses. His experience includes obtaining favorable settlements and case resolutions through early case assessment and negotiation, often mitigating significant exposure for his clients. This includes successfully defending a healthcare employer in a PAGA trial.
In addition to his complex litigation work, James regularly litigates single plaintiff employment matters in state and federal courts, arbitration, and before government agencies. He has successfully brought dispositive motions and achieved favorable results for employers in various industries at every stage of litigation.
Beyond litigation, James provides strategic advice to employers navigating California’s rapidly evolving labor and employment landscape and seeking to adhere to all aspects of the FLSA. He regularly counsels clients on compliance with state and federal laws, helping to proactively manage risk and align workplace practices with legal developments.
Prior to joining Littler, James was a litigation associate at an AmLaw Top 100 law firm where he defended clients in a diverse array of business litigation, including defending clients against unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB.
While attending law school, James served as a note and comment editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review. James also served as a judicial extern to the Hon. R. Gary Klausner of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.