Legal Expertise

Debra Urteaga represents employers in all aspects of employment law, with experience spanning litigation, counseling, and workplace investigations. Her practice includes defending employers against claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, trade secret misappropriation, and wage and hour violations, including class actions and PAGA representative matters.

An adept litigator, Debra defends clients at all stages of litigation, from pre-litigation strategy through trial, and has extensive experience in arbitration and state and federal court. 

Debra also serves as a trusted advisor to employers, providing day-to-day guidance on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. She counsels clients on wage and hour practices, employee discipline, leaves of absence, accommodations, workplace complaints, and terminations. She is a certified workplace investigator through the Association of Workplace Investigators and frequently conducts internal investigations and legal trainings. Her advisory work also includes drafting employee handbooks, separation agreements, and other employment-related documents.

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

• Member, Mexican American Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Other Career Experience

• Employment Law Associate, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
• Employment Counsel, The Wonderful Company
• Employment Law Associate, Littler Mendelson, PC
• Employment Law Associate, Morrison & Foerster LLP
• Judicial Extern for Justice Carlos R. Moreno, California Supreme Court