Evelyn Wang

Partner

Evelyn Wang is an experienced class action and PAGA litigator. She has defended employers in numerous wage-and-hour class action and PAGA representative cases involving claims alleging meal and rest break violations, unpaid minimum and overtime wages, unreimbursed business expenses, waiting time penalties, wage statement penalties, and penalties under PAGA. Her experience spans a variety of industries, including retail businesses, hospitality companies, airlines, national banking operations, entertainment companies, and trucking companies. Evelyn is well-versed in California wage-and-hour laws and has a thorough understanding of the claims and defenses in class action and PAGA litigation.

Evelyn also has experience defending employers in state and federal courts on matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other employment-related claims. She has experience trying cases through jury verdict and also with successful post-trial motions. Evelyn also handles employment disputes before federal and state administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

In her counseling practice, Evelyn advises clients on personnel policy and handbook development, compliance with wage-and-hour laws, and managing state and federal leave laws.

Single-Plaintiff

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)

Torres v. Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Obtained summary judgment to all claims in single-plaintiff action alleging race and national origin discrimination and harassment, wrongful discharge, and defamation. Affirmed on appeal. (2014)

Lenge v. Charter Communications

Obtained summary judgment in wrongful termination case involving claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation. Employee-plaintiff had dyslexia and was terminated after refusing to return from medical leave. Court found plaintiff's complaint failed on all seven claims. (C.D. Cal. 2013)

Class Action

Wage and hour class action and PAGA representative action for restaurant franchise

Defending restaurant franchise in multiple overlapping wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions alleging unpaid off-the-clock work and overtime, meal and rest break violations, pay stub violations, waiting time penalties, and civil penalties under PAGA. (Stanislaus Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. Ongoing)

Wage and hour class action and PAGA representative action for restaurant

Defending large multi-chain restaurant in multiple overlapping wage and hour class actions alleging unpaid off-the-clock work and overtime, meal and rest break violations, pay stub violations, waiting time penalties, and civil penalties under PAGA. (Los Angeles Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. Ongoing)

Wage and hour class action and PAGA representative action for large bank

Obtained favorable global settlement at consolidated mediation in wage and hour class action and PAGA action alleging worker misclassification, unpaid regular and overtime wages, meal and rest break violations, pay stub violations, waiting time penalties, and PAGA civil penalties on behalf of other employees. (Sacramento Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2020)

Meal break class action for major produce distributor

Negotiated discovery stay and pre-mediation information sharing, obtained favorable settlement on class basis at mediation in wage and hour class action alleging putative class of over 150 employees, unpaid regular and overtime wages, meal and rest break violations, pay stub violations, waiting time penalties, and civil penalties under PAGA. (2019)

PAGA representative action for bank

Settled PAGA action on an individual basis, before any depositions were taken, for nuisance value after meeting and conferring with opposing counsel regarding the defects in 'plaintiffs' claims. (S.D. Cal. 2019)

Admitted to Practice

California, 2010
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 2010
- Chief Comments Editor, UCLA Asian Pacific American Law Journal
- Lawyering Skills Writing Advisor
- Dean’s Merit Scholarship
B.A., Communication Studies, Minor in Policy Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, 2004, cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa

Languages

Mandarin

Memberships & Affiliations

- American Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- National Employment Law Council
- California Minority Council Program

Professional Recognition

- Selected to "Top Labor & Employment Lawyers," Daily Journal, 2023

Background

- Associate, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Los Angeles, 2011-2012
- Community Service Fellow, Public Counsel Impact Litigation Project, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Los Angeles, 2010-2011
- Summer Associate, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Los Angeles, 2009
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Stephen Reinhardt, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, Los Angeles, 2008