Billie D. Wenter, AWI-CH

Billie provides large and small employers of every type with fast, practical, and accurate legal advice and assistance to help them avoid claims and promote a more just, legally compliant, and productive work environment.

Billie has significant experience defending a broad range of complex litigation matters in federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. Billie represents employers in single-plaintiff and collective-action matters, including wage and hour, harassment and discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, unfair business practices, and trade secret disputes, before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and in arbitration and mediation. In addition, Billie’s practice includes counseling clients in litigation avoidance. She frequently assists employers with investigations, policy reviews, management training, and in negotiating and settling employment-related claims. Billie also defends individuals in workplace investigations and advises executives regarding employment and severance agreements.

Billie’s litigation and appellate experience spans a wide range of substantive areas, including employment, contract disputes, unfair competition, consumer protection, and other complex commercial matters.

Billie is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators and received a certification to conduct workplace investigations after completing AWI’s Training Institute for Workplace Investigators.  Billie conducts investigations and defends individuals in connection with complaints about discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, assault, fraud, and conflict of interest violations. 

Billie previously clerked for the Honorable Richard C. Tallman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and for the Honorable Alicemarie H. Stotler of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. 

Representative Matters

Obtained complete defense victory as lead counsel in arbitration of sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims, following summary dismissal of several claims and claimant’s request for punitive damages.

Senior member of team involved in conducting high-profile investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation and negotiating early resolution of pre-litigation matters for multinational ridesharing company.

Senior member of defense litigation team that successfully defended national retailer in age discrimination arbitration.

Obtained summary judgment in disability discrimination and failure to accommodate matter for multinational transportation services company.

Obtained summary adjudication of gender discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision claims for multinational transportation services company.

Obtained summary judgment on FMLA and CFRA claims for staffing and outsourcing company.

Defeated class certification in consumer class action for multinational automotive company.

Represented diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company in action to enforce right of first refusal to purchase pipeline, resulting in favorable resolution on eve of trial.

Admissions

California (2004)

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit 

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

U.S. District Court, Central District of California

U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

U.S. District court, Eastern District of California

Education

Loyola Law School (J.D., Dean’s Scholarship Recipient, Order of the Coif) (2004)

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (B.A. Speech Communication) (2001)

Professional Recognition

Super Lawyers Northern California (2024)

Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Star (2012–2014, 2016–2018)

Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, San Francisco Magazine (2014)

Professional Associations and Memberships

Association of Workplace Investigators – Member

CHIEF – Member

Hively – Board Member

Labor and Employment Section, State Bar of California – Member 

American Bar Association – Member

Northern California Employment Roundtable – President, 2017-2019

Recent Publications

“California Employers’ To-Do List Grows With New Worker Laws,” Bloomberg Law, December 21, 2020 (co-authored with former colleagues)

“California Enacts First Employee Data Reporting Law,” The Recorder, November 24, 2020