Matthew Martin Sonne

Practice Details

• Languages
  Spanish
• Firm Information
  Position

  Partner

  Firm Name

  Sheppard Mullin
• Representative Cases & Transactions
  Cases

  Experience: Published Decisions: Gau et al. v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, Inc., Case No. 20-CV-08250 (N.D. Cal. 2022)(court denies class certification in its entirety in favor of restaurant employer).
  Amaro et al. v. Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, 69 Cal.App.5th 521 (2021)(PAGA settlement may extinguish claims from outside the limitations period).
  Townley v. BJ's Restaurants, Inc., 37 Cal.App.5th 179 (2019) (Employer completely prevails on summary judgment in PAGA case alleging unreimbursed business expenses for slip-resistant shoes).
  Morgan v. Wet Seal, Inc., 210 Cal.App.4th 1341 (2012) (Court of Appeal affirms denial of class certification in its entirety in reimbursement claim brought against retail client).
  Chaaban v. Wet Seal, Inc., 203 Cal.App.4th 49 (2012) (After prevailing in a three-week jury trial in a wrongful termination case, retail employer prevails in seeking to recover its expert witness costs/fees from plaintiff. In parallel case, employer also defeated class certification in its entirety).
  Madrigal v. Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., 2011 WL 10511339 (C.D. Cal. 2011) (court denies class certification in its entirety in wage-hour case against retail/restaurant employer).
  Corder v. Houston's Restaurants, Inc ., 424 F. Supp. 2d 1205 (C.D. Cal. 2006) (held meal
  rest periods violations were penalties subject to a one-year, rather than a four-year, statute of limitations).
  Recent Victories: Achieved a complete dismissal of 'suitable seating' claims under PAGA against a retail client in Santa Clara Superior Court.
  Defeated class certification for a manufacturing company on all counts in a wage
  hour class action before the Orange County Superior Court.
  Successfully defended a national clothing retailer in a jury trial before Orange County Superior Court. The Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination
  retaliation in violation of public policy. Won a complete defense verdict.
  Achieved what may be the first trial court ruling in California enforcing a class action waiver after the California Supreme Court's Gentry decision made such waivers difficult to enforce.
  Defeated class certification for a retail service company on all counts in a wage
  hour class action before the Los Angeles County Superior Court.