A photo of attorney Marilena Guadagnini against a softly blurred office background

Overview

Overview

Marilena Guadagnini is a partner in the Newport Beach office of O’Hagan Meyer. Her litigation practice focuses on representing employers against lawsuits and administrative charges brought by individual employees for claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and wage and hour violations. She also regularly defends employers in state and federal court against class and representative actions for claims of wage and hour violations under the California Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”).

In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Guadagnini devotes a large portion of her legal practice to management-side employment advice and counseling. Ms. Guadagnini advises employers on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including hiring, performance management and documentation, leaves of absence, the interactive process, wage and hour compliance, and terminations. She regularly drafts or revises employee handbooks, company policies, and employment-related agreements. Ms. Guadagnini also conducts customized trainings for managers and employees regarding employment law updates, harassment and discrimination prevention, workplace safety, wage and hour issues, performance documentation and management, and effective communication in the workplace.

Honors

Honors

  • Ones to Watch, The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2026
  • Badge reading ‘Best Lawyers Ones to Watch — Marilena K. Guadagnini — 2026,’ with ‘Best Lawyers’ in blue and ‘Ones to Watch’ in bold black text.

Education

  • J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law
    • Executive Editor, Intellectual Property Law Bulletin
    • Technical Editor, Maritime Law Journal
    • Technical Editor, Law and Global Justice Forum
    • President, Business Law Association
    • President, Intellectual Property and Cyber Law Association
    • Member, Sports and Entertainment Law Association
  • M.B.A., University of San Francisco School of Management
    • Member, Finance Club
  • B.A., Long Island University
    • Graduated cum laude
    • Recipient, Academic Transfer Commendation Award, 2009-2011
    • Recipient, Athletic Scholarship Volleyball, 2009-2011
    • Recipient, Most Valuable Player Award, Athletic Department/Volleyball, 2010-2011

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

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