Bio

Christopher B. Cato is a trial partner with the firm and practices in the Southern California offices. Mr. Cato is a member of the Employment and Tort practice groups with extensive experience defending businesses, professionals, public entities, and heath care organizations. His employment practice includes defending employers against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, unlawful harassment, whistleblower retaliation, failure to accommodate, breach of contract, and other related employment claims. He also regularly defends employers against wage and hour class actions. Mr. Cato has tried numerous cases to verdict, successfully handled civil appeals before the California Court of Appeals, and defended employment claims before various administrative agencies including the DFEH, DLSE, and EEOC. Mr. Cato has served as a volunteer Deputy District Attorney. Mr. Cato provides counseling to employers on a variety of personnel issues, including employee discipline, hiring and termination practices, accommodating medical and disability leave requests, and developing employee handbooks. Mr. Cato also has extensive experience defending clients against tort and product liability claims.