

Partner
Terry A. Wills
Managing Partner
Terry is an astute and persuasive litigator in defense of companies and management faced with wrongful discharge, discrimination, and sexual harassment lawsuits in state and federal courts and in arbitration.
She is particularly known for her success with wage and hour issues, unfair competition and trade secret protections, employee benefits, employment contracts, drug testing, leaves of absence, disability, terminations, discipline, reductions in force, and severance arrangements, as well as mediation services to a multitude of businesses and public entities through civil alternative dispute resolution programs.
Terry is dedicated to providing organizations with knowledge on the rights of employers and their employees. She leads seminars throughout the year on current issues ensuring that members have the latest information required to manage the human resource component of running a business. Prior to private practice Terry worked for the Department of Labor gaining valuable experience in wage and pay practice administration.
She is licensed to practice before all California state courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California, and all courts of the State of California.
Results
Successfully defended a satellite installation company in a wage hour misclassification trial. Ruling for the company was that all installers were properly categorized as contractors.
Achieved dismissal on behalf of a manufacturer in a large wage hour class action, representing a substantial savings to the company in avoiding class certification.
Received grants of summary judgment in the following representative matters: sexual harassment, racial harassment, age discrimination, retaliation (public policy and LC 1102.5), and non-compete claims.
Conducted extensive investigations on behalf of public entities related to complex harassment and discrimination complaints, which led to favorable resolutions for all parties involved.
Publishing
Responding to Personnel File Record Requests — Avoid Oversharing!
Severance Agreements: The Importance of Minding Your P’s and Q’s
Court Strikes Down Employer-Friendly Defense in PAGA Actions
Supreme Court Hands Employers Important Victory on Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Claims
From CEA’s California Employers Report: Harassment? When Do Employers Need To Do Something?
From LeadingAge’s Engage Magazine: Age Discrimination and the Aging Workforce
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Compliance Involves an “Interactive Process”
Devastating Wage Hour Lawsuits and Class Actions: Five Tips to Avoid Them
Employees’ Critical Social Media Posts about Supervisor were Protected by the NLRA
Pregnancy Disability Leave: How Much is Enough Under California’s Laws?
California Law on Commission Payments – Make it Official and Make it Clear
Speaking
Wage and Hour Law Update at the California Employers Association on Aug. 8, 2018
Sexual Harassment Claims: Owners and Executives at the Front Lines on Feb. 21, 2018
CEA Wage and Hour Webinar on Aug. 23, 2017
Executive Leadership Webinar Series: Impact of Powerful Dialogue to Avoid Litigation on Aug. 8, 2017
Q&A at the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Practice Managers Association on Jun. 20, 2017
Wage and Hour Law CEA Webinar on Aug. 31, 2016
New DOL Overtime Rule: How Will California Employers be Affected? on Aug. 9, 2016
California’s Paid Sick Leave Law – Nothing to Sneeze At on Jul. 19, 2016
Community
Capital Public Radio Board of Directors, (Chair 2015-2017)
California Employers Association
Sacramento Employers Advisory Council
Workforce Investment Board, Sacramento Works, Former Board Member, (2006-2016)
