Sydney R. Norris

/My focus

I am a California-based labor and employment associate who represents employers in workplace disputes, administrative charges, and pre-litigation matters. This commonly involves wage-and-hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims.

I regularly assist clients with representative actions under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), including early case assessment, litigation strategy, and discovery. I also help employers respond to matters before California-specific agencies and forums, such as the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner/DLSE).

In addition, I advise on union-related issues, including unfair labor practice charges, grievance administration and arbitration support, bargaining preparation, and labor-management strategy. I guide clients through proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and California agencies, support responses to information requests, and address day-to-day questions involving concerted activity, workplace policies, and communications during organizing or negotiations.

/Looking ahead

California courts and regulators will likely continue to shape PAGA in employee-friendly ways, while the legislature continues to refine how PAGA claims work in practice. Employers should watch for changes affecting who can sue, how cases are managed, and how penalties and settlements are calculated.