Employment & Labor
Sergio has extensive experience defending cases brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the FMLA, the ADA and its 2008 amendment, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act, and state law fair employment statutes. He also handles employee tort, contract, whistleblower claims and OSHA citations. In addition, Sergio has defended employers successfully in charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor, and various state and local agencies throughout the country.
Sergio regularly advises employers on personnel issues such as hiring and firing, layoffs, disciplinary actions, compliance with state and federal wage-and-hour laws, harassment investigations, employment contracts and covenants not to compete. Further, he advises clients on compliance with workers’ compensation laws, employee leasing issues, immunity and limitations from suit. He also works with clients to draft and implement employment policies and practices designed to minimize the risk of employment litigation.
Business/Commercial Litigation
Sergio regularly litigates commercial and business disputes in state and federal courts, involving breach of contract, ownership disputes, management disputes, construction litigation and real estate matters. In addition to his significant first-chair trial experience in state and federal courts, Sergio has first-chair arbitration experience in national arbitration forums in commercial and employment matters. He has handled appeals in both state and federal courts in a number of jurisdictions.
Tort & General Casualty
Sergio also represents national and regional companies, self-insured or otherwise, in defense of personal injury, products liability, premises liability and employee liability claims. These matters have been in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, cargo, transportation, common carrier, admiralty, hospitality, medical facilities and general commerce. Likewise, Sergio consults extensively with clients to develop and implement strategies and practices to avoid litigation.
