Harvey Sohnen graduated from Columbia University, and then earned a Master’s Degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After his initial training in math and science, Harvey decided to apply his skills as an advocate and attended law school at the University of California at Berkeley.
His initial work as a lawyer was in the field of public interest law, as a legal services attorney. During these years, he was significantly involved in class actions concerning employment law and constitutional law.
After his legal services experience, Harvey established his law practice in California’s Contra Costa County where he has been located since 1985. Harvey’s particular field of interest in law practice during this period has been civil litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and commercial law. His practice includes handling class actions and complex litigation.
Harvey has been a frequent writer on legal topics. He has served as the principal editor of the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s monthly magazine, the Contra Costa Lawyer. He has been quoted in a front page article on employment law in the Wall Street Journal and has been a frequent speaker at continuing education programs. His professional memberships include the State Bar of California, California Employment Lawyers Associations and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1974 | 10/27/2020 |
Legal answers | 31 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Northern California Super Lawyer | American Lawyer Magazine | 2020 |
Northern California Super Lawyer | American Lawyer Magazine | 2015 |
Northern California Super Lawyer | American Lawyer Magazine | 2014 |
AV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal | Sohnen Law Offices | 1998 - Present |
Partner | Page & Sohnen | 1986 - 1998 |
Associate | Spanos & Wassell | 1985 - 1986 |
Associate | Lerner & Veit | 1982 - 1985 |
Staff Attorney | Legal Aid Society of Alameda County | 1977 - 1982 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Contra Costa County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Contra Costa Lawyer | Editor | 2013 - 2015 |
Contra Costa Lawyer | Member, Editorial Board | 2002 - 2015 |
California Employment Lawyers Association | Member | 1998 - 2015 |
Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court | Master | 1998 - 2008 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Contra Costa Lawyer | Why Make Employees Stand All Day? | 2015 |
California, Contra Costa Lawyer | Added Penalties Privatize Wage and Hour Law Enforcement | 2004 |
CAAAments | The Rights of Applicants Under Fair Employment Laws | 2004 |
The Contra Costa Lawyer | Compliance with Disability Discrimination Laws | 2003 |
San Francisco Attorney | California Overtime Law: Law Firms are Not Exempt | 2002 |
The Contra Costa Lawyer | Employees now have a right not to live in Modesto (among many other new rights enacted into law in California this year) | 2000 |
---|---|---|
The Contra Costa Lawyer | Should You Be Paying Overtime? | 1997 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1974 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MS - Master of Science | 1969 |
Columbia University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1968 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Employment Section | Employee and Employers Disability Tricks and Traps | 2010 |
Annual CLE Program | Disability Discrimination Law | 2004 |
Employment Section | Ethical Issues in Employment Law | 2002 |
Employment Section | Impact of the Hill vs. N.C.A.A. decision on the right of privacy under the California Constitution | 1994 |
Employer Advisory Council | Employee Privacy Rights vs. Employer Interests | 1994 |
League of California Cities | Wrongful Termination Law | 1987 |
---|
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Sewell v. State Compensation Insurance Fund | Class action settlement - $1,175,000 |
Brooks v U.S. Bank | Class action settlement involving 2500 people |
Cemex Wage Cases | Class action settlement - $6,750,000 |
Escandon v. Northbay Corporation | Class action settlement |
Eva v. Registry of Physician Specialists | Favorable appellate decision |
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Thu Nov 22 2012
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Bruce Highman, Employment and labor Attorney on Feb 24, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Harvey is an outstanding attorney with special expertise in representing employees in wage and hour class actions and in cases where the employees were not provided with seats.
Aryeh Leichter, Employment and labor Attorney on Oct 1, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Carver, Litigation Attorney on May 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with him on a large class action employment law case. He is very experienced and knowledgeable, tenacious and ethical. If he represents you, you are in good hands.
Michael Levine, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 21, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Harvey Sohnen is tenacious and highly effective in obtaining results for his clients. He is is a skilled negotiator and experiencedcourtroom advocate.