Cheryl D. Orr

Orr represented Market Connect Group Inc. in 2014 in San Diego County Superior Court in a wage and hour class action involving alleged off-the-clock work. Inheriting the case late, she had a month to oppose class certification.

"To be prepared [in that time frame] to a point where you can successfully defeat class certification, you have to have a thorough understanding of the facts and the law, but you also have to have an opportunity to understand the positions and individual experiences of how folks are conducting their jobs," she said.

The employee in the case pushed for a class of all California-based hourly-paid workers. In September, the judge denied the certification motion except for unreimbursed business expenses. Because she's been practicing labor and employment law for 28 years, she understood the policies in play and how they are consistently applied, she said.

"Doing these types of cases day in and day out at any time, defending 10-15 [clients] allows you to prioritize what's really important," she said.

Orr also represented Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. in wage and hour class actions in the Central and Eastern districts and the Orange County Superior Court. Orr moved to compel arbitration and by last July had obtained dismissal of all claims.

"The victories we were able to achieve for Hobby Lobby were especially satisfying given that we had two different sets of plaintiff counsel and were able to successfully compel to arbitration both state and federal claims," she said.

"The plaintiffs in both cases essentially walked away from the suits," she added.

Orr said she likes her specialty because the cases are complex and there is often a lot at stake for businesses. She has a range of clients, including banks, technology, fitness and clothing companies.

Orr also was promoted in February to managing partner in the firm, where she has worked for nine years.

- Amanda Schallert