Littler has added Michael Guasco as a shareholder and Jennifer Wai-Shing Maguire as of counsel in its San Francisco office on December 30, 2022. Guasco, who joined from Buty & Curliano LLP, marked Littler’s eighteenth shareholder-level addition in the second half of 2022. Maguire joined the firm from Roxborough, Pomerance, Nye & Adreani LLP.
“We are excited to add Mike and Jenny to our talented bench of attorneys in San Francisco,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “With impressive track records of litigating and resolving disputes, they have each established themselves as trusted counselors to clients in high stakes matters.”
Guasco’s practice includes representing employers in complex litigation matters in federal and state courts. He counsels clients through all phases of litigation and dispute resolution, including drafting pleadings, conducting and defending depositions, handling mediations, negotiating settlements, defending clients in trials, and arguing appeals. Guasco regularly handles wage and hour matters, and defends class and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) cases. He also advises employers on general workplace issues and best practices to minimize liability.
An experienced trial lawyer, Maguire also regularly defends corporations in employment litigation matters, including complex wage and hour class actions, collective actions, PAGA claims, and allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. She also represents clients in both federal and state courts and handles cases in front of administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Maguire provides advice on employment practices and compliance with applicable laws, drafts employment-related contracts and agreements, and conducts employment policies and practices audits.
“Mike and Jenny bring unique skillsets that bolster our litigation and trials practice both locally and nationally,” said Constance Norton, Littler’s San Francisco office managing shareholder. “Their significant trial experience, and capabilities in defending clients in wage and hour and PAGA cases, will be of considerable value to our clients with operations in California who navigate these nuanced and constantly evolving employment laws and regulations.”
“I am thrilled to join Littler’s high caliber team of attorneys,” said Guasco. “Littler’s depth of knowledge in every aspect of labor and employment law, along with its innovative solutions and extensive resources, will greatly benefit my practice and the services provided to my clients.”
“I’ve been impressed not only by the extraordinary platform Littler offers for defending employers in every industry and state in which they operate, but by their attorneys’ commitment to developing sound strategies early in litigation to help resolve matters more efficiently and effectively,” Maguire added. “I look forward to joining the firm and collaborating with my new colleagues.”
Guasco received his J.D., with honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law and his B.A. from Saint Mary’s College of California. Maguire received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law and her B.A. from Barnard College of Columbia University. Earlier in her career, Maguire served as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Navy and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago where she tried criminal cases.