What Is PAGA, And What Do I Need To Know?

Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)

If there is one type of employee claim that businesses dread, it’s a wage and hour claim. Wage and hour cases, particularly those filed on a class-action or representative basis (also known as a PAGA case), can cost a lot of money in both defense costs and settlement. Civil penalties assessed and collected under PAGA are designed to deter unlawful conduct and encourage compliance with labor protections. Employees can bring the action on behalf of themselves, or other current and former employees. The past year brought legislative changes to how PAGA cases are litigated, and this program provides next step advice for how to protect your business from lawsuits in 2025.

If you’ve received a PAGA notice, you can count yourself as one of several thousands of California employers who receive one every year. There are astronomical potential civil penalties attached to PAGA cases, associated with wage and hour laws. But there are steps you can take before you receive such a notice to put your organization in the best possible position.

PAGA is administered by the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA).

About the Speaker

Kathryn (Katie) Evans, Attorney with Fisher Phillips

Katie Evans represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including wage and hour matters, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, contract disputes, and other employment-related claims. Katie’s practice involves all aspects of litigation and she regularly advises employers in all areas of labor and employment law.

Prior to joining Fisher Phillips, Katie was an associate at a plaintiff’s side employment law firm. During this time, she gained substantial experience in complex wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions. Having represented both employers and employees gives Katie a keen understanding and perspective on how to effectively advise employers through complex employment issues.

Katie graduated with distinction from the University of San Diego School of Law where she served as an Executive Editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. During law school, she externed for the Hon. Karen S. Crawford of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California; the Hon. Patricia D. Benke of the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, Division 1; and the Hon. Margaret M. Mann of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California. Katie also gained valuable experience writing appellate briefs and arguing before the California Court of Appeal as a certified post-bar law clerk for the California Office of the Attorney General.

1.25 HRCI and SHRM Recertification Credits available.

Lite Lunch is provided.

Free Parking available in the parking structure at the south side of Temecula Civic Center.

Agenda

11:30 a.m. Registration, Lunch, and Networking

11:50 a.m. Welcome, announcements, and introductions

12:00 p.m. Speaker: Katie Evans, Fisher Phillips

1:15 p.m. Q & A, Closing Remarks, Evaluations

1:30 p.m. Adjourn

Host or Publisher Hemet/Temecula Employer Advisory Council