Cheryl D. Orr

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath • San Francisco


Cheryl Orr's career spans more than three decades in labor and employment law since graduating from Columbia Law School in 1988. Her passion for the people-centric nature of her field and her love for litigation have been the driving forces behind her successful practice. As the leader of Faegre Drinker's international labor and employment practice, she oversees a team of more than 100 professionals and also heads the firm's San Francisco office. 


Orr's litigation practice is focused on defending a diverse range of long-standing, household-name clients across various industries. She specializes in class, collective, and PAGA actions, as well as complex single-plaintiff cases that are headed for trial. Her expertise in defending wage/hour class/collective/PAGA actions, high-profile wrongful termination/discrimination suits, and sensitive investigations has earned her a formidable reputation in the legal community. 


One of Orrs most influential mentors was the Hon. Charles B. Renfrew (Ret.), from whom she learned the importance of ethics, attention to detail, and kindness. These values have been integral to her approach to law and have guided her throughout her career. 


Orr's team has achieved multiple resolutions this year, including the dismissal of individual defendants and obtaining a walk-away agreement in a highly publicized wrongful termination suit, settling PAGA and class suits on a single-plaintiff basis through quick work-ups and compelling arguments, and handling a sensitive C-suite investigation during a pivotal moment in a company's evolution. Her matters are confidential. 


"Nearly every case turns not only on the facts and the law, but also on the players (your team, the judge/arbitrator, your client, opposing counsel and if applicable, the mediator)," Orr wrote. "Every obstacle is an opportunity, but it takes a fair amount of experience and skill to navigate them. Excellent and strategic communication is critical. Using the class/PAGA suits as an example, our team quickly works through the potential liability analysis and navigates the best course quite early in the suit and, where needed, begins working on remediation efforts out of the gate to minimize potential exposure." 


When asked about the recent PAGA reforms, Orr said she is "particularly hopeful that the newly signed legislation will lead to real opportunities for our clients to both cure some of the alleged violations and also productively engage in the new settlement processes." 


"Among others, we are advising on: 1) the DOL's final rule for overtime exemptions and the ensuing legal challenges and 2) the developments/aftermath of the new FTC rule banning non-competes," Orr wrote.