Ricardo Diaz is an associate in the firm’s Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice. He advises and represents employers across a wide range of labor and employment matters, from day-to-day counseling and pre-litigation strategy to complex, high-stakes litigation.
Ricardo’s practice is anchored in the defense of wage and hour class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters, where he plays a key role in shaping case strategy and driving matters toward resolution. He is experienced in managing the procedural and strategic demands unique to representative actions, including early case assessment, data-driven exposure analyses, dispositive and certification-related motion practice, and the development and execution of resolution strategies. Ricardo also has significant experience enforcing arbitration agreements to avoid PAGA and class employment actions, and in litigating and managing individual arbitration proceedings through resolution. He regularly works directly with clients and opposing counsel in mediation and settlement negotiations, with a focus on achieving efficient, favorable, and business-aligned outcomes, including global resolutions.
In addition to his class and representative action work, Ricardo defends employers in single-plaintiff employment litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination under FEHA, as well as wage and hour disputes. He also advises employers on compliance and risk mitigation, including employee classification, workplace policies, investigations, and leave and accommodation issues.
Ricardo also has experience advising on traditional labor matters, including union organizing efforts, collective bargaining strategy, and the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, as well as grievance and arbitration processes.
Ricardo also brings a unique background in workers’ compensation that informs his approach to employment counseling and litigating 132a claims. He advises employers on the intersection of workers’ compensation and employment law, including handling the accommodation process, and incorporates this perspective to address overlapping exposure and develop cohesive litigation and resolution strategies.
Across all matters, Ricardo delivers strategic, business-focused guidance with an emphasis on efficiency, practical solutions, and achieving favorable results.
