- Counsel for the defendant in a case where the Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in the defendant’s favor dismissing the plaintiff’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuit because he failed to provide adequate notice of his claim to the Labor & Workforce Development Agency before bringing the lawsuit.
- Counsel for a defendant in a wage and hour class and representative PAGA action involving novel theories of recovery related to workplace issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; succeeded in limiting claims to a single California worksite through discovery and motion practice, which enabled us to resolve the case on favorable terms.
- Counsel for the defendant in an employment class action alleging nearly $1 billion in damages based on purported failure to reimburse employee cell phone expenses; defeated class certification and the defendant’s subsequent motion for summary judgment of the named plaintiff’s individual claims was granted in defendant’s favor.
- Counsel for the plaintiff in an arbitration against a former wealth manager who violated repayment obligations under his employment contract; succeeded in recovering all monies owed under the contract.
- Counsel for the defendant in concurrent injunctive relief actions against global communications company seeking to prevent company from closing numerous retail stores throughout the United States; defeated all five motions for injunctive relief.
- Counsel for the defendant in an employment class action against a global transportation company seeking to recover unpaid wages on behalf of nearly 100,000 putative class members for time spent in security checks while entering and exiting work; defeated class certification.
- Counsel for the defendant in a bellwether jury trial involving two plaintiffs’ wage and hour and individual employment discrimination and whistleblower retaliation claims; obtained a defense verdict which positioned the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for a favorable settlement.
- Counsel for the defendant in a lawsuit filed by a former property manager alleging disability discrimination and wrongful termination; compelled lawsuit to arbitration and arbitrator returned a defense verdict following a six-day arbitration.
- Obtained an injunction against a former wealth manager who violated the non-compete provision of a partnership agreement.
- Phone: +1 213 576 1015
- Email: ian.wright@alston.com
Ian Wright represents private and public employers in federal and state courts throughout California and the nation in a wide variety of complex commercial and employment-related litigation, including trade secret and privacy disputes, defending claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, and wage and hour matters. Ian represents his clients in all phases of litigation, including investigation, discovery, law and motion, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeal. He also has considerable experience litigating cases that arise when employees leave to work for a competitor, misappropriate the proprietary information of their former employers, or engage in other forms of unfair competition.
Ian provides advice and counsel to clients globally on labor and employment law, particularly in trade secret and IP protection measures, employee discipline, employment policies and handbooks, workplace investigations, technology and privacy issues, litigation prevention strategies, and issues arising from the use of AI in the workplace. He also has experience drafting confidentiality agreements, employment contracts, severance agreements, and arbitration agreements. For preventive measures, he provides workplace trainings to managers, human resources professionals, and in-house counsel. He has arbitrated dozens of single-plaintiff discrimination claims, mediated hundreds of labor and employment matters, and defended employers in administrative charges before the Civil Right Department, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Industrial Relations, and Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
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General Publications April 2025“The Impact of President Trump’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Orders on the Private Sector,” Employee Relations Law Journal, April 2025.This article discusses how President Trump’s recent executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs will impact employers in the private sector.General Publications April 2025“The Impact of President Trump’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Orders on the Private Sector,” Employee Relations Law Journal, April 2025.This article discusses how President Trump’s recent executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs will impact employers in the private sector.
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In the News March 18, 2025Law360 | 3 State AI Bills for Workplace Discrimination Attys to WatchIan Wright is quoted on California legislation (A.B. 1018) that would regulate businesses’ use of artificial intelligence when making employment-related decisions.In the News March 18, 2025Law360 | 3 State AI Bills for Workplace Discrimination Attys to WatchIan Wright is quoted on California legislation (A.B. 1018) that would regulate businesses’ use of artificial intelligence when making employment-related decisions.
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Webinar March 6, 2025Alston & Bird Labor & Employment Executive Webinar: Updates Under Trump 2.0 AdministrationPlease join us for a closer look into anticipated immigration and agency changes and priorities in the Trump 2.0 Administration.Webinar March 6, 2025Alston & Bird Labor & Employment Executive Webinar: Updates Under Trump 2.0 AdministrationPlease join us for a closer look into anticipated immigration and agency changes and priorities in the Trump 2.0 Administration.
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Advisories February 21, 2025White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations / Labor & Employment Advisory | How DOJ Could Pursue Civil and Criminal Enforcement Actions Against Private-Sector DEI/DEIA ProgramsOur White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations and Labor & Employment Groups examine how the Department of Justice (DOJ) could use civil and criminal actions to enforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders against private companies.Advisories February 21, 2025White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations / Labor & Employment Advisory | How DOJ Could Pursue Civil and Criminal Enforcement Actions Against Private-Sector DEI/DEIA ProgramsOur White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations and Labor & Employment Groups examine how the Department of Justice (DOJ) could use civil and criminal actions to enforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders against private companies.
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General Publications February 13, 2025“Protecting AI-Generated Trade Secrets: Legal Strategies for 2025 and Beyond,” Legaltech News, February 13, 2025.This article discusses strategies for protecting AI-generated trade secrets and key trends in trade secret litigation for 2025.General Publications February 13, 2025“Protecting AI-Generated Trade Secrets: Legal Strategies for 2025 and Beyond,” Legaltech News, February 13, 2025.This article discusses strategies for protecting AI-generated trade secrets and key trends in trade secret litigation for 2025.
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Advisories February 3, 2025Labor & Employment Advisory | The Impact of President Trump’s DEI Executive Orders on Private-Sector EmployersOur Labor & Employment Team discusses how President Trump’s recent Executive Orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs will impact employers in the private sector.Advisories February 3, 2025Labor & Employment Advisory | The Impact of President Trump’s DEI Executive Orders on Private-Sector EmployersOur Labor & Employment Team discusses how President Trump’s recent Executive Orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs will impact employers in the private sector.
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In the News October 28, 2024Law.com | Don’t Rush to Change That Noncompete Just Yet, Employment Lawyers AdviseIan Wright is quoted on the National Labor Relation Board’s ability to regulate noncompete clauses.In the News October 28, 2024Law.com | Don’t Rush to Change That Noncompete Just Yet, Employment Lawyers AdviseIan Wright is quoted on the National Labor Relation Board’s ability to regulate noncompete clauses.
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Advisories October 17, 2024Labor & Employment / Immigration Advisory: Illinois Expands Requirements for Employers Using E-VerifyIllinois is adding new requirements for employers using E-Verify to determine employees’ eligibility under the state’s Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Our Labor & Employment and Immigration teams discuss what Illinois employers need to know before the changes take effect on January 1, 2025.Advisories October 17, 2024Labor & Employment / Immigration Advisory: Illinois Expands Requirements for Employers Using E-VerifyIllinois is adding new requirements for employers using E-Verify to determine employees’ eligibility under the state’s Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Our Labor & Employment and Immigration teams discuss what Illinois employers need to know before the changes take effect on January 1, 2025.
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Advisories August 21, 2024Labor & Employment / Antitrust Advisory | Noncompete Clauses Get a Reprieve from FTC Ban: What’s Next?As expected, a Texas federal court blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s rule banning noncompete clauses. Our Labor & Employment and Antitrust Groups break down the court’s reasoning and look ahead to what might come next.Advisories August 21, 2024Labor & Employment / Antitrust Advisory | Noncompete Clauses Get a Reprieve from FTC Ban: What’s Next?As expected, a Texas federal court blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s rule banning noncompete clauses. Our Labor & Employment and Antitrust Groups break down the court’s reasoning and look ahead to what might come next.
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Labor & Employment Advisory August 14, 2024Labor & Employment Advisory: New Law Limits Damages Plaintiffs Can Seek Under Illinois Biometric Information Privacy ActA new Illinois law limits the damages plaintiffs can seek under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Our Labor & Employment Group explores the change’s impact on employers.Labor & Employment Advisory August 14, 2024Labor & Employment Advisory: New Law Limits Damages Plaintiffs Can Seek Under Illinois Biometric Information Privacy ActA new Illinois law limits the damages plaintiffs can seek under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Our Labor & Employment Group explores the change’s impact on employers.
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
- Loyola Law School (J.D., 2010)
- University of Delaware (B.A., 2005)
Memberships
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Constitutional Rights Foundation, volunteer
- South Central Family Health Center, board, secretary; Corporate Compliance Committee, chair
Accolades
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (2015–2020)
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California