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Harvey Sohnen

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Avvo Rating10
  • Oakland, CA
  • Licensed for 45 years
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About Harvey

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.

 

25 Years Experience as a Civil Litigator in Contra Costa County

 

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

BusinessEmployment and labor
  1. Employment and labor: 80%

  2. Business: 20%

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

260285 1351198629

Contact

4200 Park Blvd.
address map

Sohnen Law Offices

4200 Park Blvd.
No. 533
Oakland, CA, 94602-1361

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive197410/27/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers31
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Northern California Super LawyerAmerican Lawyer Magazine2020
Northern California Super LawyerAmerican Lawyer Magazine2015
Northern California Super LawyerAmerican Lawyer Magazine2014
AV RatedMartindale-HubbellN/A
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PrincipalSohnen Law Offices1998 - Present
PartnerPage & Sohnen1986 - 1998
AssociateSpanos & Wassell1985 - 1986
AssociateLerner & Veit1982 - 1985
Staff AttorneyLegal Aid Society of Alameda County1977 - 1982
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Contra Costa County Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Contra Costa LawyerEditor2013 - 2015
Contra Costa LawyerMember, Editorial Board2002 - 2015
California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember1998 - 2015
Robert G. McGrath American Inn of CourtMaster1998 - 2008
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Contra Costa LawyerWhy Make Employees Stand All Day?2015
California, Contra Costa LawyerAdded Penalties Privatize Wage and Hour Law Enforcement2004
CAAAmentsThe Rights of Applicants Under Fair Employment Laws2004
The Contra Costa LawyerCompliance with Disability Discrimination Laws2003
San Francisco AttorneyCalifornia Overtime Law: Law Firms are Not Exempt2002
The Contra Costa LawyerEmployees 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 LawyerShould You Be Paying Overtime?1997
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1974
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMS - Master of Science1969
Columbia UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1968
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Employment SectionEmployee and Employers Disability Tricks and Traps2010
Annual CLE ProgramDisability Discrimination Law2004
Employment SectionEthical Issues in Employment Law2002
Employment SectionImpact of the Hill vs. N.C.A.A. decision on the right of privacy under the California Constitution1994
Employer Advisory CouncilEmployee Privacy Rights vs. Employer Interests1994
League of California CitiesWrongful Termination Law1987
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Sewell v. State Compensation Insurance FundClass action settlement - $1,175,000
Brooks v U.S. BankClass action settlement involving 2500 people
Cemex Wage CasesClass action settlement - $6,750,000
Escandon v. Northbay CorporationClass action settlement
Eva v. Registry of Physician SpecialistsFavorable appellate decision

Reviews

(8)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Harvey Sohnen

A repeat, happy client

Posted by

I have worked with Harvey Sohnen on multiple occasions to review employment agreements and more. In all my interactions with him over nearly 20 years, I have found his knowledge, skill and expertise to be unparalleled. I have also referred other clients to him because of my high confidence in him.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Knowledgeable and trusting

Posted by

Harvey Sohnen was my attorney in a class action lawsuit. I had initially gone to Harvey for what I was thinking would be a wrongful termination case. Harvey was very knowledgeable about what would and what would not be a case for me. He steered me in the right direction, and led me through, keeping in contact with me the entire time. I felt very secure and trusting with Harvey and he got the the job done. He got some changes to be made in the business that was sued which was my goal.

the best lwayers

Posted by

They are excellent, trustworthy, very professional and they are very good in keeping you up on everything that goes on with your case,I highly recommend them both very nice people to work with.

The BEST experience EVER!

Posted by

My experience with Mr. Sohnen was great! He kept me well informed step by step about my case. He was available to answer the questions I had at anytime. The rapport we had from the first meeting was so good & I was very confident that Mr. Sohnen could assist me or guide me in the right direction. Words can't express how blessed I am to have had him as my attorney. I would definitely recommend him!

Filed claim for overtime

Posted by

From start to finish, Harvey Sohnen provided me with expert counsel. Initially, I talked with him twice on the telephone. Each time he answered my questions without a fee. When I met with him to decide about filing my claim, he listened carefully, offered excellent advice and encouraged me to file the claim BECAUSE I DESERVED THE MONEY. Mr. Sohnen was clear and specific about the process for filing the claim, suggested a method for documenting my hours, and what was required to make a case. It was very obvious that Mr. Sohnen was an expert and I left the meeting knowing without a doubt that I'd made the right decision. At all times Mr. Sohnen treated me with respect and never talked down to me. He was more concerned about having me receive the claim money than he was putting dollars in his own pocket. Not once during my work with Mr. Sohnen did I wonder if I was paying too much in legal fees. Mr. Sohnen is completely trustworthy and very professional. He has a sense of humor that often broke through a tense moment while we were discussing "next steps." Working with Mr. Sohnen was a great experience for me and I recommend him highly. Best of all, we were successful in receiving a substantial overtime claim.

Attorney Harvey Sohen Review.

Posted by

Mr. Sohnen functions at a very level of competence and expertise. He helped me with a difficult professional licensing issue and achieved a very satisfactory result. Mr. Sohnen handled all aspects of the case so that I was spared unpleasant interactions with a regulatory agency and protected my rights such that I ultimately prevailed. Since then, Mr. Sohnen has periodically monitored my situation so I remain in compliance with complex professional rules and regulations. He has always been promptly available to check items in advance and also prevent problems before they might occur. I would highly recommend this attorney for his professionalism, attention to detail, prompt return of phone calls and answering emails.

Harvey made the difference.

Posted by

Beginning in 2007 Harvey interviewed me as an employee and later asked me to be one of the plaintiffs in a class action suit dealing with breaks and lunch periods not given to myself and other drivers at Hanson Readymix . He constantly was in communication with me via e-mails, phone calls, and meetings. I had to dig out and organize years worth of W-2's, company memos, and pay stubs. It was exhausting at times but Harvey taught me to be a better, more professional person. It paid off with a huge award for myself and my fellow drivers. During this time I and 3 of my motorcycling friends were badly injured, (1 fatally) in an accident caused by a negligent driver. Harvey took on my personal injury case himself and helped my friends acquire representation. It was an emotionally difficult time and Harvey was very helpful and supportive. We were able to negotiate a settlement out of court. Harvey constantly amazed me with his ability to multitask. He's intelligent, very professional and fun at the same time. He made me want to be a better man .

Client Review

Posted by

Mr. Sohnen has worked with our firm, Registry of Physician Specialists, for over 15 years. Mr. Sohnen is always readily available to us, when a need arises, even on a moments notice. His advice is always professional, and he is extremely well informed in his field of law. I personally feel, we could not live without him !

Attorney endorsements

(4)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

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.