Jill L. Ripke
- Los Angeles
- Phoenix
- San Francisco
Jill defends companies in employment and independent contractor class action matters relating to independent contractor status, misclassification, unpaid overtime, unpaid meal and rest breaks, and unpaid off-the-clock work.
Jill Ripke's substantial experience in class action cases includes early strategic assessment, defeat of collective and class action certification, supervision of electronic document review and litigation holds, managing discovery request responses, oversight of expert witnesses, deposing named plaintiffs, and drafting summary judgment motions. Jill also represents clients in claims relating to California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Jill advises clients regarding independent contractor agreements and drafting of arbitration agreements. During the pandemic, Jill advised and counseled clients on issues related to COVID-19 in the workplace. These include such topics as employee leave, workplace safety, return-to-work policies, vaccination policies, and workforce reductions.
Jill defends employers against individual discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims in both state and federal court. She also represents companies in audits relating to independent contractors and employees with the California Economic Development Department. Jill has briefed five employment-related appeals to the California Courts of Appeal and argued a class action case at the California Court of Appeal resulting in a decision affirming the trial court's dismissal of class claims.
Jill currently serves as the co-chair of the firm's Wage and Hour subgroup.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- The University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with distinction, Note and Comment Editor, Journal of Corporation Law, 2006
- Wartburg College, B.A., Business Administration and Economics, summa cum laude, 2003
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
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Arizona
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Iowa
Related Employment
- Perkins Coie Brown & Bain P.A., Phoenix, AZ, Summer Associate, 2005
- City Attorney's Office, Iowa City, IA, Intern, Spring 2005
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Arizona Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star," 2014-2016
Graduate of the 2013 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy
Insights
Professional Experience
Experience
Yamaha Corporation of America
Obtained dismissal of punitive damages, retaliation, and failure to engage in the interactive process claims on summary judgment on behalf of Yamaha Corporation of America, resulting in an immediate and favorable resolution of the civil action brought by a former employee.
National Mortgage Company
Obtained verdict for client at arbitration, dismissing claims of breach of contract and failure to pay wages after three-day arbitration.
Wage-and-Hour Class-Action Claims
Litigated and resolved class and representative action arising under California’s Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) resulting in more than 20 settlements of wage-and-hour cases.
Media, Newspaper, and Delivery Transportation Clients
Representation of various media and transportation/delivery clients in class action lawsuits based on claims of misclassification of independent contractors under agreements to effect delivery of goods and related services.
Independent Contractor Class Action: MediaNews Group (Digital First Media)
Obtained dismissal of class action claims in independent contractor misclassification case, which had been litigated for more than 11 years. Dismissal of class claims affirmed by the California Court of Appeal.
Independent Contractor Class Actions: The McClatchy Company and McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.
Defended two California class actions challenging the independent contractor status of delivery service providers.
Wage-and-Hour Class Actions: Qwest Communications International Inc., et al.
Defended two collective and class actions involving wage-and-hour claims resulting in settlement.
Antitrust Class Action
Counsel to defendant hospitals in an alleged price-fixing class action and opposing interlocutory appeal from partial denial of class certification.
National Mortgage Company
Initiated a lawsuit against former employee for misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion and Penal Code 502 violation, related to unlawful access to information of mortgage loan provider, in San Diego Superior Court. As a result of summary judgment motions filed on complaint and cross-complaint, the matter resulted in dismissal of the entire action on terms favorable to the client, including dismissal of the employee’s whistleblowing claim against client.