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John P. LeCrone
Partner
Vice-chair, Employment Practice
I succeed by focusing on my clients' needs and perspectives.
John LeCrone is a vigorous advocate for clients in labor and employment matters. His practice is broad and diverse, including employment trials and litigation (discrimination, harassment, retaliation, trade secrets/unfair competition, ERISA), counsel (employment agreements, privacy, media and new technology), due diligence (mergers, acquisitions, facility closures), and training (executives, managers, and rank-and-file employees). Working with large and small corporations, partnerships, nonprofits and individuals, John guides clients managing workforces in a variety of industries. Among them are financial services, healthcare, entertainment, media, manufacturing, food, and retail. John is committed to the resolution of disputes with respect for adversaries and a clear objective of resolving disputes in the most effective and efficient way.
John has served on the firm's executive committee and as vice-chair of DWT's employment services group. He is a Fellow in the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers and a member of the College's national Board of Governors.
Practice Highlights
Civil lawsuits
Representing clients in numerous federal and state lawsuits alleging employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and failure to accommodate. Prosecuting and defending a multitude of cases alleging theft of trade secrets, unfair competition, fraud, and employee raiding.
Class actions
Serving as lead defense counsel in numerous wage-and-hour class actions, as well as multiplaintiff and class action cases alleging discrimination under the California Unruh Civil Rights Act and Gender Tax Repeal Act.
Risk avoidance
Guiding clients through the panoply of federal and state regulations governing the workplace, with a focus on avoiding lawsuits and claims before they arise. Helping negotiate clear, direct, and enforceable terms for employment, separation, and severance agreements.
Single-Plaintiff Litigation
Complete dismissal in employment arbitration for OneDigital Insurance
Obtained a decisive victory for OneDigital Insurance after eight days of binding arbitration. The arbitrator rejected all 13 claims brought by a former employee, including disability discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and unpaid wages under the California Labor Code. The plaintiff, a 16-year employee, alleged her position was unlawfully eliminated and employment terminated following her return from medical leave and complaints about unpaid wages. Despite extensive discovery, including more than 12 depositions taken by plaintiff, the arbitrator ruled in favor of OneDigital on all counts, affirming the lawfulness of its business decisions. (2024)
Confidential university system arbitration
Successfully defended nationwide nonprofit university system in binding arbitration on 10 claims brought by a former admission director alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and violation of Cal. Labor Code 1102.5, among others. Summary judgment granted as to seven of those claims and a full defense verdict on the remaining three claims set for evidentiary hearing. After hearing, the superior court denied plaintiff's motion to vacate the arbitration award and granted judgment on all claims for the university system. (2021)
Janya, Saloom v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Obtained summary judgment on all counts in multi-plaintiff action alleging claims of retaliation, violations of California Health and Safety Code, and defamation, among others. Affirmed on appeal. (2019)
Baker v. Alcoa, Inc., Arconic Global Fasteners & Rings
Obtained summary adjudication for aerospace manufacturer on plaintiff's claims for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and subsequently obtained—on the eve of trial—dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff's remaining wrongful termination and common law claims. (Los Angeles Cnty. (Calif.) Super. Ct. 2018)
Confidential binding arbitration
Successfully defended large engineering consulting firm in a case brought in Delaware by a former president alleging breach of the firmâs stock purchase agreement. Obtained dismissal of all claims before trial and reimbursement of attorneysâ fees as prevailing party under the agreement. (2018)
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Class Action and Multi-Plaintiff Defense
Guiher v. Punch Bowl Social
Lead defense counsel in wage/hour class action and PAGA Representative Action brought on behalf of restraurant servers in California alleging meal and rest period, overtime, and "off-the-clock" violations. (San Diego Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2019)
Kunsman v. Punch Bowl Social et al.
Lead defense counsel in wage/hour class action and PAGA Representative Action brought on behalf of restraurant servers in California alleging meal and rest period, overtime, and "off-the-clock" violations. (Sacramento Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2019)
Cosner v. Magic Bubble Productions
Lead defense counsel in wage/hour class action brought against a film production company alleging wage payment, wage statement, and overtime violations. Obtained early dismissal of all class-wide claims. (2016)
Purcell v. Buffalo Wild Wings International, Inc.; Pacific Wings LLC
Defense counsel in class action brought on behalf of restaurant servers in California alleging meal and rest, overtime, and "off-the-clock" violations. (2016)
Horta v. Searles Valley Minerals, Inc.
Lead defense counsel in wage/hour class action alleging meal and rest breaks, overtime, pay stub, and rate-of-pay violations. (2016)
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Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition
Windsor Capital Group v. Cryan, et al.
Lead defense counsel in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, and breach of contract. (2011)
World Financial Group v. HBW Insurance Services
Lead defense counsel in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, and breach of contract. (Ventura Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2011)
U.S. Trust Company v. Lehman Brothers
Plaintiff's counsel in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and employee raiding against Lehman Brothers and individual defendants recruited by Lehman Brothers. Achieved favorable settlement on all claims, including injunctive relief. (Orange Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2008)
U.S. Trust Company v. Morris Noble
Plaintiff's counsel in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets against a senior-level employee who left U.S. Trust to join Morgan Stanley. Case resolved on favorable terms. (San Francisco (Cal.) Cnty. Super. Ct. 2008)
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Transactional
Sale and recapitalization of West Dermatology
Provided employment counsel in the sale West Dermatology, a medical practice and related management services organization (MSO) with over 20 locations in Nevada, California, and Arizona, to private equity firm Enhanced Equity Funds. (2014)
Acquisitions by retailer
Represented global retail company regarding California employment considerations in two strategic acquisitions. (2012)
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Employment Counseling
Private space part manufacturer
Counsel to global developer, manufacturer, and supplier of aerospace products in employment-related matters, including matters arising from FAA and other federal regulations covering aerospace, aircraft design and parts, and other aircraft-related regulations. (Ongoing)
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Admitted to Practice
- California, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, 2021
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2008
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1988
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of Delaware
Education
- J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 1984
- Member, Moot Court Honors Program
- Writer/Oralist, National Moot Court Competition
- B.S., Business Administration, Finance, University of Southern California, 1980
- Undergraduate Studies, German Language and European History, International Finance, Institute of European Studies at University of Vienna, Austria, 1978
Memberships & Affiliations
- Member, Board of Governors, 2023-present; Fellow, 2015-present; 9th Circuit South Credentials Committee, 2018-present – College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
- Advisory Board Member, USC Institute for Corporate Counsel, 2014-present
- Board Member, USC Libraries Board of Councilors
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
- Editorial Board, Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, 2002-2014
- Labor and Employment Section, State Bar of California
- Co-chair, LGBTQ Attorneys Affinity Group, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, 2015-2023
Professional Recognition
- Named one of the "Top Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles," Los Angeles Business Journal, 2020
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Employment Law by Best Lawyers, 2020-present
- Named "Community Health Champion," Eisner Health, "Promise of Care" Annual Event, 2018
- Received the H. Stewart Tremaine Award, Davis Wright Tremaine, 2013
- Selected to "Southern California Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2007-2016, 2024
- Selected to "Top Employment Lawyers - U.S." Thomson Reuters, 2008
- Selected to "Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition" in Employment and Labor Law, Thomson Reuters, 2009
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Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More California state flag
07.26.23
Insights
Healthcare
California Supreme Court Finds Employers Not Liable for Nonemployees' Take-Home COVID-19 Claims Read More California state flag
05.31.23
Insights
California
California Supreme Court Finds Employee Disclosure of Already Known Unlawful Activity Protected by Whistleblower Statute Read More Publications
12.09.22
News
John LeCrone Elected to College of Labor & Employment Lawyers Board of Governors Read More gavel in courtroom
06.22.22
Insights
Counseling
Supreme Court Says Arbitration Agreements Enforceable for Individual PAGA Claims in California Read More code
06.13.22
Insights
Counseling
EEOC Issues Guidance on Employer Use of AI Decision-Making Tools Read More gavel on book
03.08.22
Insights
Arbitration Agreements
President Biden Signs Bill Banning Mandatory Arbitration in Sexual Assault and Harassment Claims Read More arbitration agreement and glasses
03.01.22
Insights
Arbitration Agreements
Senate Passes Bill Banning Mandatory Arbitration in Sexual Assault and Harassment Claims Read More contract and pen
02.22.2022
Insights
California
Blue Mountain Clarifies Scope of Business Sale Exception to Prohibition on Restrictive Covenants in Connection With Joint Ventures Read More gavel on book
02.09.22
Insights
California
California Makes It Easier for Employees to Recover on Whistleblower Retaliation Claims Read More Webinar
02.02.22
Webinars
Employment, Benefits & Immigration
"2022 California Labor & Employment Law Update," Davis Wright Tremaine Webinar Read More
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