William B. Richards Jr.

Overview

Bill Richards concentrates his practice on employment litigation, representing employers across all phases of disputes involving wage and hour claims, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unfair business practices. His extensive courtroom experience spans state and federal venues, including complex class actions and representative claims under the Private Attorneys General Act. Bill has appeared before multiple U.S. District Courts and appellate panels, demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of litigation strategy and procedural nuances.

Beyond litigation, Bill advises employers on a broad spectrum of employment-related issues, including drafting and reviewing employment agreements, employee handbooks, arbitration clauses, and severance arrangements. His guidance helps clients navigate regulatory compliance and human resources challenges, fostering proactive risk management. Previously, he served as a Labor Law Compliance Officer, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local employment regulations within a class action law firm.

Bill’s dual focus on aggressive defense and preventive counseling equips employers with practical, tailored solutions that address both immediate legal challenges and long-term operational risks. His ability to efficiently manage heavy caseloads while maintaining attention to detail ensures clients receive thorough and highly tactical representation without sacrificing responsiveness. This balanced approach allows Bill to deliver results that align with clients’ business objectives and legal priorities.

Notably, Bill has argued before U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California, Eastern District of New York, and District of Massachusetts, as well as the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, Washington Court of Appeal (Commissioner), and several California Superior Courts (i.e., Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Salano, Yuba, etc.). Clients appreciate his strategic mindset, collaborative style, clear communication and pragmatic advice and advocacy.

Honors, Publications, & Speeches

Honors

• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2020-2025
• Top Attorney Award, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, 2019

Publications

• Author, “Federal Law Ends Mandatory Arbitration of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims,” The Grindstone, April 15, 2022
• Co-author, “California Supreme Court Limits PAGA Penalties,” Employment Law Update, September 13, 2019

• Co-author, “SCOTUS Expands Limitations on Class Arbitration,” Employment Law Update, April 24, 2019

• Co-author, “California’s Supreme Court Rules Workers are ‘Presumptively’ Employees,” Employment Law Update, May 1, 2018

 Speeches

• Speaker, “PAGA – Calculating ‘Damages’ and Use of Models,” Presentation Lecture, O’Hagan Meyer LLP, September 18, 2014

• Speaker, “New Developments in California and Federal Civil Procedure,” Presentation Lecture, February 6, 2019

Community

In his free time, Bill enjoys spending quality time with his wife, daughter, and four-legged child—a Bengal cat with a devoted social media following—as well as serving as a volunteer foster for abandoned and orphaned pets. As a self-proclaimed music aficionado, he also has a passion for playing acoustic guitar and drums. Moreover, Bill has been an avid artist since he was a young child, providing commissioned artwork in various mediums for numerous well-known companies.