Emma C. Cunningham

EMMA C. CUNNINGHAM represents employers in employment litigation and advises clients on a range of workplace matters, with a focus on developing practical, business-oriented solutions to manage risk and resolve disputes effectively. She works with clients on claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage-and-hour issues, and other employment-related matters.

Emma has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2027 for Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment.

Emma externed for The Honorable Virginia A. Phillips of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, gaining insight into federal litigation and judicial decision-making. While in law school, she served as editor-in-chief of the Southern California Review of Law and Social Justice, where she published a note examining challenges to arbitration agreements in the Ninth Circuit.

Employment

• Wage-and-hour class actions under California law alleging off-the-clock work, unpaid overtime, meal and rest period violations, wage statement violations, unreimbursed expenses, sick pay issues, rounding, and untimely payment of wages.
• Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) representative actions.
• Discrimination, retaliation, and harassment (age, race, sex, gender, disability) — individual and class actions.
• Antitrust litigation concerning employee practices, including non-competes.
• Advice and counseling to employers addressing wage-and-hour, discrimination, and retaliation issues.

Consumer Protection, Advertising, and Product

• Nationwide and California class actions alleging false or deceptive advertising of food, beverage, and consumer products, including efficacy of ingredients and hidden fee claims.
• California mass tort claims brought by consumers and governmental agencies involving personal injury.
• Nationwide and California class actions brought under the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law, and False Advertising Law.

The above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

• Member, Federal Bar Association Orange County Chapter - Young Lawyers’ Division, Planning Committee
• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Member, Orange County Bar Association (CA)