Heather M. Sager
Heather's extensive knowledge of California's complicated statutory and regulatory requirements for employers is well-regarded by technology, retail, and finance clients alike, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Heather Sager has wide-ranging experience litigating complex wage-and-hour matters brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and similar state laws, including California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Heather's practice was established at the forefront of the wage-and-hour class and collective actions that are now commonplace throughout the country. She emphasizes proactive risk management to avoid litigation and employs efficient and aggressive strategies to help her clients minimize exposure when faced with class, collective, representative, multi-plaintiff, or single-plaintiff lawsuits. As part of due diligence, Heather also provides risk assessments of potential labor and employment exposure in target entities and conducts policy and procedure audits both pre- and post-merger.
Heather is active in counseling and training employers on workplace harassment prevention and unconscious bias and regularly conducts investigations into allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct. She is adept at helping startup clients understand the importance of compliant policies and practices beginning at formation and frequently advises clients on leave issues, employee classification, and independent contractor status, as well as strategies for preventing and addressing misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
Heather's experience also extends to the traditional labor realm, where she has helped clients prevail in elections, obtained injunctive relief to stop inappropriate union conduct, defeated organizing campaigns, and appeared before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on countless issues.
Previously, Heather served as chair of the firm's San Francisco Pro Bono Committee.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1996
- Wake Forest University, B.A., cum laude, 1993
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Related Employment
- Vedder Price P.C., 2013-2019
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 2007-2013
- Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, 2000-2007
- Jackson Lewis P.C., 1996-2000
Professional Recognition
Ranked in Chambers USA "America’s Leading Lawyers" for Labor & Employment, 2024
Recipient of the “Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award” from Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco, 2022
Named among the Daily Journal's "Top 100 Women Lawyers," 2022
Named among "Top Labor & Employment Lawyers in California" by the Daily Journal, 2022, 2024
Recognized by Legal 500 United States, Labor and Management Relations, Labor and Employment Disputes, Defense – Labor and Employment, 2016-2019
Recognized by Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment – Labor and Employment Litigation, 2015
Impact
Community Involvement
- Raphael House of San Francisco, Board of Directors, Secretary
- National Association of Women Business Owners, Bay Area Chapter
- Fordham University Law School Alumni Association
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Labor & Employment Law
- Litigated class, collective, and representative action cases arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and California’s Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Conducted wide-ranging internal wage-and-hour audits for diverse clients.
- Successfully handled cases alleging unfair competition and trade secret misappropriation.
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements and responded to strikes and work stoppages by seeking relief in the courts to protect employee access.
- Conducted investigations and related #MeToo counseling and training for clients in various industries including healthcare.
Cannabis Industry
- Lead negotiator for groundbreaking cannabis-industry collective bargaining agreement for dispensary/delivery client.
- Lead counsel for cannabis industry class actions concerning employee classification and wage and hour issues.
- Represented cannabis industry clients in financing and acquisition context, including due diligence and executive employment work.