California Employment Law Update (Silicon Valley)

Alexandra Stathopoulos Partner

San Francisco; Los Angeles

Alex is based out of Orrick's San Francisco and Los Angeles offices and represents clients across California in their most critical employment law disputes. Legal 500 has recognized Alex as a "stand-out" attorney "who communicates quickly, confidently, and efficiently" and noted that she is "prepared, firm, and patient in depositions, with opposing counsel and with witnesses, and thinks very well on her feet." A thought leader in the employment law space, Alex is active on the Executive Committee for the California Lawyers Association (CLA) Labor and Employment Section and is an Editor-in-Chief of the CLA Labor & Employment Law Review. Alex also serves on the Executive Committee for the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) Labor and Employment Law Section.

Alex's north star is understanding a client's business objectives first, whether in litigation or counseling matters. Alex defends employers in class, collective, and representative actions alleging wage and hour violations, discrimination, and other claims under federal and state laws, including Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims. She also routinely defends employers in high-stakes single plaintiff cases involving contract disputes, leaves and accommodations, and allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblowing, wrongful termination, and trade secrets misappropriation. In her counseling practice, Alex provides bespoke counseling advice to management, designs workplace policies and procedures, and offers creative and practical solutions to address a wide range of employment issues including new and developing areas of the law.

Orrick’s Employment Law and Litigation group was recently named Labor & Employment Department of the Year in California for the fourth consecutive year by The Recorder, the premier source for legal news, in recognition of their significant wins on behalf of leading multinational companies on today’s most complex and challenging employment law matters.

Tierra D. Piens Senior Associate

San Francisco; Houston

Tierra represents clients in high-stakes employment disputes, including individual and class action cases involving wage-and-hour laws, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. She also provides strategic employment advice and counseling, helping clients navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence.

In addition to her litigation and advisory work, Tierra conducts internal investigations, providing clients with thorough and effective solutions to sensitive workplace issues.

As an experienced DEI advisor, Tierra assists clients in re-evaluating and strategically repackaging their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in response to recent legal challenges and the new Trump administration. Her insights help clients adapt to the evolving legal environment while maintaining their commitment to inclusive workplaces.

Tierra's hands-on experience includes a nine-month secondment at Airbnb, where she was embedded with the global employment legal team. During this time, she addressed employment issues from both a U.S. and global perspective, gaining invaluable day-to-day experience.

While her practice focuses primarily on the representation of large corporate clients and emerging companies, Tierra also devotes a portion of her practice to providing pro bono services to nonprofit organizations and low-income individuals. She also serves in several leadership roles at Orrick, including as a leader of the Black Lawyers of Orrick inclusion network and on Orrick's Associates' Committee for the San Francisco office.

Tierra received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she also earned a Law & Technology Certificate of Specialization as recognition for her extensive coursework in technology law.

A former judicial extern on the Northern District of California, Tierra has experience navigating both the federal and state court systems.