Hovannes G. Nalbandyan

Hovannes G. Nalbandyan, known by his friends as “Hovik,” represents and advises employers in all facets of employment law. He concentrates on defending employers in high-stakes class actions, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters, complex single-plaintiff cases, and other employment-related litigation.

Hovik has defended clients against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and unfair competition. He regularly provides advice to clients to ensure compliance with the rapidly evolving field of employment law, including the complex areas of wage and hour laws.

Hovik focuses his practice on:

• Class/Representative actions
• PAGA claims
• Wage and hour issues
• Wrongful termination/discharge
• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Retaliation
• Leave of absences
• Accommodating disabilities
• Employment-related torts

In his practice, Hovik will regularly:

• Independently handle the defense of single-plaintiff litigation involving disability, sex, and national origin discrimination, and retaliation. This includes drafting dispositive motions, taking depositions of plaintiffs and witnesses, and preparing and defending company witnesses.
• Counsel employers on a broad range of issues, including exempt classification of employees, pay-per-visit models, meal and rest break requirements, reimbursements, performance improvement processes, and terminations.
• Draft CCRD/DFEH position statements and represents employers in state audits, DLSE mediations and hearings, EEOC investigations, and prevailing wage disputes before the DIR.
• Investigate and evaluates administrative agency charges, advise clients on potential exposure, handle pre-litigation settlement negotiations, prepare witnesses for hearings, conduct direct and cross-examinations, present arguments, and negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
• Advise on and draft employment-related documentation and policies, including offer letters, settlement agreements, arbitration agreements, and employee handbooks.

Before joining Littler, Hovik was a litigation attorney for two years at a top litigation firm in Sacramento. During that time, in addition to his experience in employment law, Hovik garnered broad experience defending and counseling public entities and insurance companies. His practice included:

• General civil litigation
• Public entity defense
• Insurance defense

During law school, he served as an associate editor of U.C. Davis Law Review and as executive editor of the Business Law Journal. Hovik worked as a law clerk at the Elk Grove office of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and volunteered at the Voluntary Legal Services Program’s employment legal clinic.