For more than 35 years, Thomas Reilly has practiced labor and employment law in California, representing employers.  Thomas’ broad range of experience includes:

  • Preparation and review employee handbooks and personnel policies.
  • Preparation of employment contracts, confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, secondment agreements, change of control agreements, settlement agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
  • Advising employers regarding wage and hour issues, hiring, background checks, performance counseling, employee discipline, reductions in force, WARN Act compliance, leaves of absence, and employee terminations.
  • Representing employers in collective bargaining, at NLRB proceedings, and at labor arbitrations.
  • Advising employers on protection of confidential, proprietary and trade secret information.
  • Defense of employers and executives accused of misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
  • Investigation of claims of harassment and employee misconduct.
  • Defense of lawsuits for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations; PAGA penalties; and trade secret claims.
  • Mediation, arbitration and settlement of numerous employment-related claims.

Thomas and his colleagues at Newmeyer Dillion provide clients with practical, cost effective solutions to ensure compliance and resolve claims in an increasing complex legal environment. They provide quarterly training  opportunities for clients, free of charge, through Newmeyer Dillion's “HR University” program, which includes an annual summary of new California employment legislation.

Prior to joining Newmeyer Dillion, Thomas was a special counsel at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, a partner at Scott, Reilly & Whitehead, and a partner at Arter & Hadden LLP.

Awards & Recognition

  • Selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers list, 2010-2014
  • AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review

Professional Affiliations

  • Orange County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

Admissions

  • California, 1983
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law (J.D., 1983)
    • Southern California Law Review
  • Yale University (B.A., 1979)