Apalla Chopra is Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice
and a partner in O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office. She specializes in
litigating complex multi-plaintiff and class action discrimination and
wage and hour cases. Her experience is broad as she has
represented clients in cases regarding employee allegations of
invasion of privacy, wrongful discharge, and discrimination based on
age, race, sex, national origin, physical handicap, and related
matters. Apalla also has represented clients in traditional labor
matters under the National Labor Relations Act and Educational
Employment Relations Act, and has experience negotiating
collective bargaining agreements and executive employment
contracts. She has appeared in state and federal courts in the civil
and criminal context, as well as before various administrative
agencies. Apalla’s industry experience is likewise broad, as she has
represented companies in the biotechnology, manufacturing, airline,
health, retail, hospitality, private and public schools, and
entertainment sectors.
Apalla has represented both employers and amici in many significant
trial court and appellate cases, including Chindarah v. Pick Up
Stix, Inc., 171 Cal. App. 4th 796 (2009); Alch v. Superior Court,
122 Cal. App. 4th 339 (2004); Thomas v. Bristol Farms, Inc.,
2003 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 11024 (2003); Wynn v. NBC,
234 F. Supp. 2d 1067 (C.D. Cal. 2002); and Fanaka v. Warner
Bros., 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19078 (2000).
Apalla has repeatedly been recognized by Chambers USA,
Legal500, and the Daily Journal as a top woman lawyer and
defense-side labor and employment law practitioner. She also has
been recognized as “Rainmaker” by Diversity & the Bar and
in “Women Worth Watching” by Diversity Journal.
Education
University of California, Hastings College of Law, J.D., 1992: cum laude; Thurston Society; Senior Note Editor, Hastings Law Review
University of California at Irvine, B.A., Political Science and Economics, 1988: magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa