Overview

Fermin H. Llaguno advises and represents clients in all areas of labor and employment law. With experience in all facets of the litigation process, from initial investigation and filing through trial and appeal, his practice includes both individual plaintiff and class action litigation in areas such as:

  • Wage and hour
  • Wrongful termination
  • Sexual harassment
  • Discrimination
  • Whistleblowing/retaliation
  • Employment status
  • Employee benefits

In addition, he has represented numerous clients in proceedings involving the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

Amidst a number of notable litigation successes, Fermin obtained a defense jury verdict following a six-week age discrimination and retaliation trial on behalf of a major automobile company that resulted in a defense attorneys' fees and costs award. He also obtained a defense bench trial verdict in a class action following a four-week trial on behalf of an interstate transportation company that resulted in a finding that the plaintiff class of truck drivers were independent contractors rather than employees.

Fermin regularly advises, counsels and provides training to clients in a wide range of matters, including:

  • Day-to-day employer-employee relations
  • Employment best practices
  • Applicable legal standards
  • Litigation avoidance

He also performs employment and payroll practice audits and revises and prepares all manner of employee handbooks and employment-related agreements for clients.

One of the firm's authorities on human resources investigations, Fermin provides training to numerous clients on this topic, along with management training in the areas of:

  • Harassment avoidance
  • Workplace investigations
  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Performance management

Fermin is the founder of Littler Mendelson's Orange County office. He is a founding member of Littler's Spanish Services Group and has served as a member of the firm's Board of Directors and Diversity and Inclusion Council since 2007. Fermin is an active member of Littler's Class Action Avoidance and Defense Practice Group and helped orchestrate Littler's first Class Action Summit in 2008.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Cuba Task Force

Hispanic National Bar Association

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2015-2023

Named, 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers

Lawdragon

2020-2025

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2021-2024

Named, Nations' Most Powerful Employment Attorneys

Top 100

Human Resource Executive / Lawdragon Inc.

2019

Named, Up and Comers

Human Resource Executive / Lawdragon Inc.

2018

Named, Top 40 Most Powerful Up and Coming Employment Attorneys

Human Resource Executive / Lawdragon Inc.

2011, 2013-2017

News, Analysis & Press

Speaking Engagements

NLRB Developments

12th Annual CLE Expo - MCCA, San Diego, CA

March 6, 2013

Labor and Employment Law Update

Irvine, CA

January 10, 2013

Affordable Care Act: Implementing Federal and State Regulations

2012 Annual Conference - CALSAGA, Anaheim, CA

October 18, 2012

What Happens Overseas Doesn’t Stay Overseas: Measuring the Long Arm of the FCPA

2012 Annual Conference & Exposition - Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), Anaheim, CA

August 27, 2012

Benefit Plans Under Attack at Home and Abroad

Irvine, CA

May 30, 2012

Getting Beyond Diversity Day: Developing Meaningful (and Legal) Strategies That Support Your Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

The 2012 Executive Employer® Conference

Littler Mendelson, Scottsdale, AZ

May 10, 2012

2012 Southern California Legal Update

January 19, 2012

Looking to the Future - Tools for Success and the New Normal

Orange County Non-Profit Forum

June 2011

Southern California 2011 Legal Update

March 1, 2011

2011 Employment Law Update

Littler Mendelson

February 2011

New California Employment Laws

Orange County Non-Profit Forum

January 2011

Discovery in Employment Litigation

Seminar for Bridgeport Consulting "Trial Preparation for Employment Litigation"

October 2008

Time Bandits: Trying a Wage/Hour Class Action

Annual Convention - Hispanic National Bar Association

September 2008

Discrimination, Harassment & Internal Investigations

Employer Advisory Council of Orange County

June 2007

Trying a Class Action Suit

Annual Retreat, Labor & Employment Law Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association

May 2007

Successful Defense Strategies for Wage & Hour Class Actions

Seminar for Bridgeport Consulting "Wage & Hour," Program

November 2006

Negotiating State-of-the-Art Employment Agreements

Association of Corporate Council

August 2005

Conducting Lawful Investigations

Professionals in Human Resources Association

January and February 2004

Education

  • J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 1996
  • B.S., University of Southern California, 1993

Languages

  • Spanish

Bar Admission

California
Hawaii

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th 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, District of Hawaii