Samantha Hardy is an employment litigator and advice attorney who defends employers in all types of labor and employment disputes, proactively advises on ways to avoid litigation and assists employers with day-to-day workplace issues. She co-leads the firm’s Retail, Fashion & Beauty team.
Known for being strategic, assertive and highly responsive, Samantha serves client companies of all sizes, including start-ups hiring their first employees, middle market companies and large multinational corporations.
Samantha litigates single plaintiff discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to accommodate, wrongful termination and defamation cases, as well as other statutory, contract and tort-related claims.
With extensive experience in wage and hour litigation, Samantha represents employers nationwide in class, collective, PAGA and other representative actions.
Clients seek Samantha’s counsel on discipline and termination, the disability accommodation process, compensation plans (including commission, bonus and other incentives), leave laws, workplace violence prevention and employment contracts. She also advises management on wage and hour issues and has an expertise in the unique wage and hour issues faced by manufacturers and distributors.
Samantha regularly reviews and prepares handbooks, polices, forms, trainings, separation and severance agreements, and other employment-related documents. She also conducts comprehensive audits to identify potential employment law violations and recommend corrective action before litigation arises. When needed, she assists clients undergoing audits by various state or federal agencies.
In addition to her litigation and counseling practice, Samantha advises on labor and employment matters that arise in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
Samantha is the leader of Sheppard’s Women’s Law Group in the San Diego office. She also serves as the pro bono coordinator of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.