Billie D. Wenter

phone: 669 296 0327

Billie provides large and small employers of every type with fast, practical, and accurate legal advice and assistance to help them avoid claims and promote a more just, legally compliant, and productive work environment.

Billie has significant experience defending a broad range of complex litigation matters in federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. Billie represents employers in single-plaintiff and collective-action matters, including wage and hour, harassment and discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, unfair business practices, and trade secret disputes, before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and in arbitration and mediation. In addition, Billie’s practice includes counseling clients in litigation avoidance. She frequently assists employers with investigations, policy reviews, management training, and in negotiating and settling employment-related claims.

Billie has extensive experience representing clients in complex commercial litigation at all levels. Billie previously clerked for the Ninth Circuit and has handled several appeals during her career. Billie’s litigation and appellate experience spans a wide range of substantive areas, including employment, contract disputes, unfair competition, consumer protection, and product liability.

Representative Matters

Obtained complete defense victory as lead counsel in arbitration of sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims, following summary dismissal of several claims and claimant’s request for punitive damages.

Senior member of team involved in conducting high-profile investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation and negotiating early resolution of pre-litigation matters for multinational ridesharing company.

Senior member of defense litigation team that successfully defended national retailer in age discrimination arbitration.

Obtained summary judgment in disability discrimination and failure to accommodate matter for multinational transportation services company.

Obtained summary adjudication of gender discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision claims for multinational transportation services company.

Obtained summary judgment on FMLA and CFRA claims for staffing and outsourcing company.

Defeated class certification in consumer class action for multinational automotive company.

Represented diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company in action to enforce right of first refusal to purchase pipeline, resulting in favorable resolution on eve of trial.

Admissions

California (2004)

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

U.S. District Court, Central District of California

U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

U.S. District court, Eastern District of California

Education

Loyola Law School (J.D., Dean’s Scholarship Recipient, Order of the Coif) (2004)

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (B.A. Speech Communication) (2001)

Professional Recognition

Named, Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Named, Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, San Francisco Magazine

Professional Associations and Memberships

Labor and Employment Section, State Bar of California – Member

American Bar Association – Member

Northern California Employment Roundtable – President, 2017-2019

Recent Publications

“California Employers’ To-Do List Grows With New Worker Laws,” Bloomberg Law, December 21, 2020 (co-authored with former colleagues)

“California Enacts First Employee Data Reporting Law,” The Recorder, November 24, 2020