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.

Single- and multi-plaintiff employment representation

Representing clients in medical/healthcare, financial services, hospitality, and entertainment industries in single- and multi-plaintiff actions involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, and failure to engage in the interactive process. (Ongoing)

Chapman v. St. Joseph Health System

Won summary judgment in wrongful termination case involving, among others, claims of sex/gender and age discrimination; retaliation; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Employee-plaintiff was let go after she went on an extended leave of absence and was unable to return to work. She later claimed that she went on a leave of absence because of intolerable conditions at work and, thus, was subjected to a constructive discharge. The court found that all of employee-plaintiff's claims, including her belated constructive discharge claim, failed as a matter of law. (2022) Trial court's judgment affirmed by Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, of the Court of Appeal of the State of California. (2023)

Burton v. Alaska Airlines, Inc., et al.

Complete defense victory in employment discrimination lawsuit—this case involved a 13-year employee seeking almost $5 million in damages on a variety of discrimination (and related) claims brought after his employment was terminated for violation of the company's sexual harassment policy. Achieved summary judgment on claim of retaliation and on all claims asserted against one of the individual defendants. At trial, which lasted about four-and-a-half weeks, the court granted judgment as a matter of law on the plaintiff's claim of wrongful termination in violation of public policy. Jury reached a unanimous verdict after only two hours of deliberations in favor of the company and the remaining individual defendant on the claims of race and sex discrimination. Case No. 19-2-13243-4 KNT (King Cnty. (Wash.) Sup. Ct, June 2022)

Levad v. T-Mobile USA, Inc., et al.

Complete defense victory in employment discrimination lawsuit involving a 13-year employee seeking more than $4 million in damages on a variety of discrimination claims . Achieved summary judgment on claims of sex discrimination, disability discrimination, and failure to accommodate. At trial, which lasted 3 weeks, the court granted judgment as a matter of law on plaintiff's claims of retaliation and wrongful termination in violation of public policy. Jury reached a verdict in the client's favor on the sole remaining claim of "regarded as" disability discrimination. Case No. 20-2-02181-4 SEA (King Cnty. (Wash.) Sup. Ct, July 2021)

Henard v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., et al.

Won summary judgment in wrongful termination case involving, among others, claims of race, age, and disability discrimination; retaliation; failure to accommodate; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Employee-plaintiff was let go after he exhibited poor judgment and misused confidential guest information, both of which violated the company’s written policies. The court found that all 15 of the employee-plaintiff’s claims failed as a matter of law. (2018)

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