A Day in the Life: Employment Litigator

Theresa Whitman
Associate, Employment Law Department
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

7:45 a.m.: Arrive at office; checked e-mail, voice mail and a few faxes.

8:00 a.m.: Edit an outline prepared within the firm that summarizes recent significant California employment law cases.

8:15 a.m.: Prepare to attend ex-parte hearing regarding an application by plaintiff to shorten time to file and have the court hear a motion to compel further response to interrogatories.

9:30 a.m.: Attend a hearing with a partner regarding cross-motions for summary judgment. The plaintiff's motion was denied and our client's motion was granted, resulting in a judgment against plaintiff on his entire complaint.

11:00 a.m.: Meet with senior associate to discuss preparing opposition to a motion to compel further responses to interrogatories to be heard the next day (the same matter on which I was in court earlier in the day for the ex-parte hearing).

11:30 a.m.: Prepare opposition to motion to compel further interrogatory responses.

12:30 p.m.: Review documents and deposition transcripts to prepare to attend expert witness deposition.

1:00 p.m.: Eat lunch on the way to expert witness deposition.

1:30 p.m.: Attend expert witness deposition.

4:00 p.m.: Continue to prepare opposition to motion to compel further interrogatory responses and supporting documentation.

7:00 p.m.: Meet with senior associate to receive feedback on opposition to motion to compel.

7:30 p.m.: Leave office and head home.