Sumithra represents employers in complex labor and employment matters, with a practice spanning high-stakes litigation, wage-and-hour class and collective action defense, day-to-day counseling, and employment agreements. She partners with in-house teams to align legal strategy with business priorities, bringing a practical, business-minded approach to solving workplace challenges across industries.
A defense litigator for more than 15 years, Sumithra has handled single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff disputes involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and pay-practice claims. She regularly develops and implements tailored litigation strategies in state and federal courts, leveraging early case assessment, efficient discovery, and targeted motion practice to drive favorable outcomes. Sumithra’s litigation record includes multiple summary judgment victories in state and federal courts, two complete wins in binding disability discrimination arbitrations as second chair, and successful participation in appellate practice before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit, with multiple MSJ rulings affirmed and costs awarded. She frequently leads mediations and negotiates resolutions in single-plaintiff employment and wage-and-hour cases, guided by a pragmatic, results-oriented approach. Her experience also includes administrative agency practice through hearing at the state and federal levels.
Beyond litigation, Sumithra advises on the full spectrum of workplace issues, including compliance with evolving federal, state, and local employment laws; personnel policies and handbooks; leaves and accommodations; pay equity and wage-and-hour compliance; internal investigations; employee mobility and restrictive covenants; and workforce restructurings. She drafts and negotiates employment, confidentiality, noncompete, and separation agreements tailored to each client’s risk profile and culture. Her experience counseling companies ranging from emerging enterprises to large corporations provides perspective on how everyday personnel decisions can create-or mitigate-litigation risk.
Clients value Sumithra’s calm, solutions-focused style, her ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear guidance, and her commitment to efficient, results-oriented advocacy. She partners with collaborative, trial-ready teams to deliver practical results in bet-the-company and routine matters alike. Having “worn many hats,” she brings a nuanced understanding of how everyday employment decisions affect both legal exposure and organizational culture.
- Won full summary judgment in Riverside County Superior Court for Fortune 100 retailer in case involving claims for race discrimination, retaliation, associational disability discrimination, defamation and related claims.*
- Obtained award in full in JAMS arbitration (second chair) for Fortune 100 healthcare company and insurance provider on age discrimination, associational disability discrimination, age harassment and related claims.*
- Obtained award in full in JAMS arbitration (second chair) for Fortune 100 healthcare company and insurance provider on disability discrimination, retaliation, harassment, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in the interactive process and related claims.*
- Summary judgment affirmed by California Court of Appeal in action involving disability discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, and interactive process claims for Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and medical products company.*
- Summary judgment affirmed by 9th Circuit Court of Appeal in action involving disability discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, and related claims for subsidiary of Fortune 500 aerospace and defense conglomerate.*
- Won summary judgment in full for Fortune 500 big box retailer in ADR Services arbitration dismissing claims for disability discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in the interactive process and related claims.*
- Won full summary judgment in Central District of California for subsidiary of Fortune 500 aerospace and defense conglomerate in claims for disability discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate and interactive process claims.*
- Won full summary judgment in District of Minnesota for international pharmaceutical and medical products corporation in disability discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate and related claims.*
- Won full summary judgment in Los Angeles County Superior Court for international pharmaceutical and medical products corporation in disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, interactive process, intentional infliction of emotional distress and related claims.*
- Won full summary judgment in Los Angeles County Superior Court for international pharmaceutical and medical products corporation in disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, interactive process, and related claims.*
- Won partial summary judgment in AAA arbitration for international recruiting firm in sexual harassment, sex discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination claims in private binding arbitration. Obtained dismissal of all but one cause of action—including sexual harassment and punitive damages.*
- Won motion to enforce settlement without any signed agreements for Fortune 500 aerospace and defense conglomerate in Riverside County Superior Court in action involving race discrimination, race harassment, retaliation and related claims.*
- Represented international airline caterer in class action brought by over 3,000 California hourly employees alleging improper rounding, missed 2nd meal periods, failure to pay overtime, and related California Labor Code claims. Action was resolved favorably.*
- Represented national parking and valet company in class action brought by over 2,000 California hourly employees alleging failure to pay overtime, off-the-clock work, and related California Labor Code claims. Action was resolved favorably.*
*Completed prior to joining McGuireWoods.
Events
- Planning Committee Member, California Minority Counsel Program, "Exploring the Evolution of Equity and Inclusion Initiatives in This New Era," 2025 Annual Business Conference, September 11, 2025