Matthew Sonne

Matthew M. Sonne is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm’s Orange County office. He is fluent in Spanish, and frequently advises employers on Spanish-speaking workforce issues in addition to the below areas of expertise.

Mr. Sonne specializes in labor and employment law representing employers. He litigates in multiple areas of employment law and defends against individual and class action lawsuits alleging violations of wage and hour laws, discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, breach of contract, labor code section 132a claims, and other related matters.

Mr. Sonne represents employers in state and federal courts, as well as before the DLSE, EDD, and other administrative bodies. He also advises employers on handbook preparation, employment contracts and applications, and personnel policies.

Mr. Sonne also has experience with the National Labor Relations Board and has represented employers in related investigations. He also has experience in civil appeal practice, including briefing and oral argument before the California Court of Appeal and briefing to the California Supreme Court.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Sonne worked in the White House as a writer, and also was a member of the Clinton-Bush Transition Team in 2000. He also worked in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

While attending the University of Virginia Law School, Mr. Sonne was a member of the Virginia Journal of International Law and also taught undergraduate Spanish at the university. He also participated in clinical work for the Charlottesville Public Defender’s office and successfully defended criminal cases in general district court. Mr. Sonne was elected president of the Rex E. Lee Law Society.

Education:

• J.D., University of Virginia, 2005
• B.A., Claremont McKenna College, 2000, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kapp

Admissions:

• California
• U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California
• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Memberships:

• Member, Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
• Member, American Bar Association