James Conley is a seasoned litigator whose practice focuses on defending the world’s largest retailers throughout California. James partners with his retail clients to serve their unique needs in the competitive retail environment, guiding them regarding the challenges that come with managing the largest workforces in the nation—which often exceed a million employees.
Beyond retail, James also has rare class action trial experience and defends employers against claims of employment related industrial espionage and theft of trade secrets. James has represented employers across diverse business markets including employers with large bargaining units. His practice also includes advice and counsel, best practices to avoid litigation, and drafting employee manuals and polices. Some of these policies have been subject to bargaining unit negotiation.
James has honed these skills to resolve matters quickly or go the distance to win summary judgment or at trial. Numerous judgments affirmed in his clients’ favor are in published decisions before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Courts of Appeal.
Prior to law school, James worked for the Executive Clerk of The White House in the West Wing. There, James advised the President on whether he was acting within his power under Article II of the Constitution during the signature of legislation.
