Angela J. Rafoth advises and represents employers in complex employment matters, with a particular focus on high-stakes wage and hour litigation, class and representative actions, and administrative proceedings.
Angela regularly defends employers in class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters involving alleged wage and hour violations, including claims relating to meal and rest periods, overtime, unlawful deductions, and other pay practices. Her recent work includes representing employers in California and Oregon class and representative actions, as well administrative and pre-litigation matters under state and federal law. She has experience managing large-scale employment disputes from initial demand through litigation, including matters involving multi-plaintiff claims and coordinated proceedings. Angela also works with client on compliance reviews, policies, training, and remediation related to a range of employment law issues, with a focus on identifying and addressing high-risk wage-and-hour practices.
In addition to complex class litigation, Angela defends employers in single-plaintiff claims involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, disability and leave issues. She regularly represents clients in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies, as well as in arbitration and litigation in state and federal courts.
Angela represents a diverse range of employers, including publicly traded companies, high-growth technology and life sciences organizations, digital platform and consumer-facing brands, healthcare and nonprofit entities, and venture-backed businesses. Her clients range from established industry leaders to emerging companies, and she understands the unique operational and legal challenges faced by organizations at different stages of growth.
Angela partners closely with employers to proactively address workplace issues before they escalate into litigation. She counsels clients on wage and hour compliance, employee discipline, investigations, and the development and implementation of employment policies and practices designed to mitigate risk. Drawing on her litigation experience, she provides practical, business-focused guidance tailored to each client’s operational needs.
Prior to joining Littler, Angela practiced complex commercial litigation with a prominent San Francisco firm. She also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Harris L Hartz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Prior to law school, Angela worked as a financial and business analyst for a large Silicon Valley technology company, giving her valuable insight into the business considerations that inform her legal advice.