Joseph Kim

Joseph J. Kim

Associate
San Diego
About

Joseph Kim serves clients by litigating and counseling state and federal work law issues.

His litigation experience includes class and PAGA representative actions; employee mobility suits arising in the areas of restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets; and individual claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Joseph also litigates business disputes pertaining to claims of breach of contract and tortious interference.

Joseph gives each case comprehensive, yet efficient attention. He ensures that strategic decisions are backed by a thorough understanding of the facts, law, and tactical pressure points. Joseph’s ability to conscientiously support matters has resulted in early case dismissals, favorable settlements, and complete pre-trial victories.

Joseph also advises employers in all areas of work law including the lawful implementation of algorithmic selection and artificial intelligence technologies, arbitration agreements, internal investigations, personnel policies, and compliance with state and federal workplace laws.

Areas of FocusEmploymentClass ActionsTrade Secrets
Bar admissionsCalifornia
CourtsUnited States District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Northern District of California

EXPERIENCE

  • [Doe] v. [Financial Services Firm]. A terminated employee sued his former employer for an allegedly unpaid performance bonus, vacation pay, and waiting time penalties. After battling through significant discovery disputes, related motion practice, and a failed mediation, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. A complete summary judgment victory was obtained for the client.
  • [Doe] v. [International Financial Services Firm and Financial Professionals]. A terminated employee sued her former employer along with numerous financial advisors and other professionals alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination on the bases of race, gender, disability, and pregnancy, in addition to many other employment claims. The lawsuit garnered web publicity in the financial services sector. After conducting a thorough investigation—and without engaging in any discovery—a favorable settlement was achieved in early mediation for the employer and all individual defendants.
  • [Doe] v. [National Restaurant Chain]. This matter involved a slew of wage-and-hour PAGA claims for alleged Labor Code violations related to off-the-clock work; unpaid minimum and overtime wages; meal and rest period violations; unpaid reimbursements, wage statement violations, untimely wage payments, and more. After investigating the claims and the employer’s practices involving over 60,000 allegedly aggrieved employees, the case was resolved in early mediation and a favorable statewide settlement obtained for the client.
  • [Healthcare Services Firm] v. [Healthcare Services Firm]. A current employee’s prior firm filed suit, alleging trade secrets misappropriation, breach of contract, civil theft, and tortious interference. Mediation and subsequent direct negotiations—including threats of viable counter-claims—resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.
  • [Doe] v. [National Discount Retailer]. A current employee filed a class and PAGA representative action against the client alleging numerous theories of Labor Code violations arising out of the client’s payroll practices. After being presented with tactful written discovery and merits arguments rebutting each theory of liability, the plaintiff voluntarily walked away and dismissed both actions.

Languages
  • Korean

Pro Bono

Joseph is active in pro bono efforts to improve conditions of confinement in correctional facilities, as well as assisting non-profit organizations with employment law compliance.
Education
  • J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School
  • B.S., Human Resource Management, La Sierra University

Publications and media

 

Prior Experience

Joseph was a 2022 Summer Associate at DLA Piper and joined DLA following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame Law School. While in law school, Joseph was a student mediator, helping domestic disputes reach amicable resolutions. Joseph also authored over 30 web articles and other content for a high traffic website dedicated to the intersection of lawyers and personal finance. Joseph also served on the board of the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA) as a Regional Director, helping to build a stronger student connection to the legal profession’s AAPI community.

My latest insights

Publication
Abstact_Architectural_Ceiling_P_0089

Texas federal court sets aside DOL overtime rule

19 November 2024 .4 minute read

Publication
Car_With_Motion_Blur_S_2701

California Proposition 22 upheld: Independent contractors live to drive another day

13 August 2024 .5 minute read

Publication
yellow and purple colorful windows/architecture

California’s new workplace violence prevention mandate: What employers should know

11 June 2024 .6 minute read

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Phone

+1 858 677 1448
(Work, San Diego)