Mark Romeo is a partner with the firm and a member of the Labor & Employment Group, as well as the firm's Litigation Group.
Mr. Romeo is a trial lawyer, but spends a significant amount of time advising and counseling clients in a variety of industries such as semi-conductors, securities, radio, live entertainment, construction, communications, medical device, and transportation.
Mr. Romeo has extensive experience, including several trials, representing companies in class action litigation and litigation generally in the areas of:
· Trade secrets/Lanham Act/State unfair competition;
· Wage/Hour
· Wrongful termination;
· Discrimination;
· Sexual harassment;
· Misclassification of employees/independent contractors;
· Reductions-in-force;
· Executive compensation; and
· RICO.
Mr. Romeo's representative clients have included:
· AT&T Mobility, LLC
· Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCO)
· SFX Entertainment, Inc.
· Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKWKS)
· Fidelity National Financial, Inc.(NYSE: FNF)
· Men's Wearhouse, Inc. (NYSE: MW)
· Cingular Wireless, LLC
· LG Electronics MobileComm USA, Inc.
Mr. Romeo has successfully represented these entities, as well as numerous other private and public companies, at trial and in various administrative settings, in a number of state and federal courts across the United States.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Mr. Romeo was a partner at Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw Pittman, LLC, and an attorney with Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP and Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Press
Orange County Register, "Ban iPods at Work?" 2/13/07 (profiled and quoted)
Publications
· "Roundtable on Employment Law," California Lawyer Magazine (December 2009). Panelist: Mark Romeo.
· "High-Level Ripoffs: How to Prevent Senior Managers from Stealing Your Trade Secrets," Orange County Business Journal (November 20, 2006). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Job Landscape: Accommodating Handicapped Employees - Detailed Process Lets Firms Fulfill Obligation to Workers," Los Angeles Daily Journal (July 19, 2002). Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Firm Perspectives: New Hiring Regulations - Proposed Bill Would Protect Most Information From Reference Checks," Los Angeles Daily Journal (June 21, 2002). Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Legal Hurdles - Be sure to Avoid Pesky Traps When Considering Switch," Los Angeles Daily Journal (May 17, 2002). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Emergency Response: Employers Confront New Issues Following Attacks," Los Angeles Daily Journal, [re-published upon request in Bender's] (October 11, 2001). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Alluring Trap: Companies that Recruit Far Away Employee and Then Fire Them Could Face Fraudulent-Inducement Claims," Los Angeles Daily Journal (April 13, 2001). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Direct Threat: Employers Cannot Refuse to Hire Based on Danger to Employees,"Los Angeles Daily Journal (June 8, 2000). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Dodging Damages: Prudent Policies Can Help Avoid Punitive," Los Angeles Daily Journal, (October 11, 1999) and House Counsel (March/April 2000). (April 1, 2000). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "PC Giveaway: Offering Home Computers to the Workforce," Los Angeles Daily Journal (March 23, 2000). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Moonlighting: New Labor Code Section 96 Chips Away at At-Will Employment," Los Angeles Daily Journal (January 27, 2000). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Stolen Playbook: Inevitable-Disclosure Rules Applies to California," Los Angeles Daily Journal (January 24, 2000). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Age-Discrimination Act Nullifies Marks Decision," Los Angeles Daily Journal (August 23, 1999). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Unnecessary Rudeness - Is it Harassment When The Boss is Mean to Everyone,"Los Angeles Daily Journal. (January 1, 1999). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Eliminating Guesswork - Accommodation and Collective Bargaining Agreement Violations," (December 1, 1998). Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· Stress, Mental Disorder and Other Invisible Disabilities: What You Can't See Can Hurt You, (June 1, 1998). Author: Mark A. Romeo.
· Advanced FMLA: "Circumventing The Federal and California Traps that Trip Up Even The Most Savvy Employers," (September 1997). Co-Author: Mark A. Romeo.
Alerts & Newsletters
· "California and the USDOL Stake Out Common Ground in Focusing on Alleged Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 16, 2012). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, S. Shane Sagheb, Melanie Natasha Henry, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Kris D. Meade.
· "Department of Labor Proposes FMLA Rule on Leave for Caregivers to Servicemembers and Airline Flight Crew Employees," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 14, 2012). Contacts: James E. Kellett, Ira M. Saxe, Jared Levine, Thomas P. Gies, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Clarifies Its Position Regarding Employees' Social Media Usage," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 2, 2012). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Christopher Calsyn, Mark A. Romeo.
· ""Collyer Lite" -- NLRB Announces Limitation on Collyer Deferral," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 26, 2012). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "FMLA Protections from Interference and Retaliation Extended to Pre-Eligible Employees," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 25, 2012). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Christopher Calsyn, Jeffrey W. Pagano, James E. Kellett, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB and FINRA Signal Federal Push To Create A Right for Employees To Pursue Collective Litigation Regardless of Arbitration Agreements," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 12, 2012). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Jared Levine, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "New DOT Regulations Require Commercial Truckers to Hit the "Breaks"," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 5, 2012). Contacts: Trina Fairley-Barlow, Rebecca L. Springer, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Issues Final Rule On "Quickie" Elections," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US(December 22, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· ""Sea Change" in OFCCP Disability Regulations Would Mean Increased Turbulence for Contractors," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (December 14, 2011). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Ira M. Saxe, Rebecca L. Springer, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Scales Back -- But Not By Much -- The New "Quickie" Election Rules it Proposed on June 22, 2011," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (December 6, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Federal Court Upholds OFCCP Demand For Data," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (November 21, 2011). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Rebecca L. Springer, Ira M. Saxe, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Mark A. Romeo.
· "OSHA Revises Its Sarbanes-Oxley Whistleblower Rules Impacting Public Companies and Their Affiliates and Subsidiaries," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (November 9, 2011). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Samuel P. Nielson, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Christopher Calsyn, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe.
· "California Seating Lawsuits Meeting Resistance, But Employers Shouldn't Sit Idly By," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (October 21, 2011). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Samuel P. Nielson, Jeffrey W. Pagano, James E. Kellett, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies.
· "California Enacts Legislation Limiting Employers' Use of Consumer Credit Reports for Employment Purposes," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (October 12, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Kris D. Meade, Rachel L. Talbot, Mark A. Romeo, Wendy A. Sugg.
· "NLRB Postpones Implementation of Its New Employee Rights Posting Requirement," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (October 7, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Stafford A. Woodley Jr., Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Seattle Enacts Ordinance Requiring Paid Sick Leave and Paid Safe Time," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 29, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Kris D. Meade, Rebecca L. Springer, Rachel L. Talbot, Mark A. Romeo.
· "District Court Carves Out "Trade Secret Exception" to California Ban on Enforcement of Non-Compete Agreements," Trade Secrets Alert (September 20, 2011). Contacts: Mark A. Klapow, Mark A. Romeo, Carri Becker Maas.
· "NLRB Makes Employee Rights Poster Available on its Website Shortly After Commencement of a Lawsuit Challenging its Posting Rule," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 15, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "National Labor Relations Board Alters Landscape for Determining the Scope of Petitioned-For Bargaining Units," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 9, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "The NLRB Overrules Prior Decisions to Reinstate "Recognition Bar" Protection for Unions Voluntarily Recognized and "Successor Bar" Protection for Incumbent Unions," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 8, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Herbert I. Meyer, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Imposes New Employee Rights Posting Requirement on Covered Employers,"Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 6, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Herbert I. Meyer, Stafford A. Woodley Jr., Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "OFCCP Seeks Input on Development of New Compensation Reporting Tool," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (August 16, 2011). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Ira M. Saxe, Rebecca L. Springer, Mark A. Romeo.
· "OFCCP Drumbeat Continues: Agency Announces New FAAP Procedures," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (July 1, 2011). Contacts: Rebecca L. Springer, Kris D. Meade, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Mark A. Romeo, Wendy A. Sugg.
· "The NLRB and USDOL Issue Controversial Proposed Regulations To Aid Union Organizing," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (June 30, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Philip F. Repash, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Supreme Court Changes The Class Action Landscape In Dukes v. Wal-Mart," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (June 28, 2011). Contacts: James E. Kellett, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Thomas P. Gies, Trina Fairley-Barlow, Mark A. Romeo, Wendy A. Sugg.
· "Trade Secret Misappropriation and Non-Competes Across (California) State Lines: What Law Governs?," Trade Secrets Alert (June 13, 2011). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Mark A. Klapow, Carri Becker Maas.
· "Connecticut to Become First State to Mandate Guaranteed Paid Sick-Leave Time for Employees," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (June 9, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Philip F. Repash, Thomas P. Gies, Trina Fairley-Barlow, Mark A. Romeo.
· "EEOC Proposes to Extend Title VII and ADA Recordkeeping Requirements to Include Entities Covered by GINA," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (June 8, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Philip F. Repash, Thomas P. Gies, Trina Fairley-Barlow, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Fifth Circuit Applies Recent Supreme Court Decision to Revive Son's Title VII Retaliation Claim Based on Father's Protected Activity," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 31, 2011). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Arash Jahanian, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Think That California Lawsuits Over Seating Concern Only Retail Cashiers? Think Again," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 26, 2011). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Wendy A. Sugg, Samuel P. Nielson, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano.
· "Circuit Court Rules No Cause of Action for Discrimination Against Debtors," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 24, 2011). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Arash Jahanian, Jeffrey W. Pagano, James E. Kellett, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Sues Arizona in Federal Court over Constitutional Amendment Requiring Secret Ballot Elections for Union Representation," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 18, 2011). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Arash Jahanian, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "You Wanna Sue Your Employer for Overtime? The Labor Department Has an App for That!," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 17, 2011). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Philadelphia Is Latest Jurisdiction to "Ban the Box" in Hiring Processes," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 16, 2011). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Glenn D. Grant, Arash Jahanian, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Mark A. Romeo.
· "New York State Department of Labor Issues Guidance and Sample Templates in Connection With the New York Wage Theft Prevention Act," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (April 12, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Jonathan A. Moskowitz, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Mark A. Romeo.
· "EEOC Issues Final Regulations on ADA Amendments Act of 2008," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (April 7, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, James E. Kellett, Ira M. Saxe, Kris D. Meade, Thomas P. Gies, Mark A. Romeo.
· "New York Wage Theft Prevention Act Takes Effect on April 9, 2011," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (April 4, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Oral Complaints are Sufficient to Support an FLSA Retaliation Claim," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (March 28, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Mark A. Romeo.
· "NLRB Flexes Its Muscles by Opposing State Constitutional Amendments Requiring the Use of Secret Ballot Elections for Union Representation Purposes and Limiting Deferral to Arbitration," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 26, 2011). Contacts: Jeffrey W. Pagano, Ira M. Saxe, Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Marijuana Legalization Under California's Proposition 19: The Impact on Employers," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (October 27, 2010). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Kris D. Meade, Joel D. Wood, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Kelly T. Currie.
· "New Process Steel - The Supreme Court Sends The NLRB Back To The Drawing Board," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (June 17, 2010). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Glenn D. Grant, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Becker Means Change At The Labor Board," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US(April 1, 2010). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Sweeping Prohibition on Arbitration of Employment Disputes in 2010 Defense Appropriations," Government Contracts Bullet Points (December 28, 2009). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Angela B. Styles, Mark A. Romeo, Jeffrey W. Pagano.
· "Congress Limits Arbitration of Employment Disputes by Defense Contractors and Subcontractors," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (December 23, 2009). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Angela B. Styles, Mark A. Romeo, Jeffrey W. Pagano.
· "Full Speed Ahead for San Francisco's Health Care Security Ordinance," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (April 6, 2009). Contacts: William J. Flanagan, Mark A. Romeo, Jeffrey W. Pagano.
· "California Delivers More Flexibility With Alternative Workweek Schedules," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (March 30, 2009). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, James E. Kellett.
· "Card Check Legislation Introduced In Congress," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (March 11, 2009). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Ninth Circuit Withdraws Sullivan v. Oracle Decision Applying California Labor Laws To Non-California Residents," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 20, 2009). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Kris D. Meade.
· "Obama Administration Issues Pro-Union Executive Orders," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 2, 2009). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "Good News For California Employers - PAGA Does Not Provide A Second Bite At The Apple," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (January 29, 2009). Contact: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Is "Card Check" In Your Future?," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (November 6, 2008). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "California Supreme Court Leaves Intact Broad Prohibitions On Enforceability Of Non-compete Agreements," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (August 11, 2008). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, James E. Kellett, Ira M. Saxe.
· "Anxiously-Awaited Brinker Decision Holds That Employers Need Not Police Whether Employees Take Meal Periods," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (July 23, 2008). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, James E. Kellett, Thomas P. Gies.
· "New Law Prohibiting Genetic Discrimination Raises New Risks For Employers," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 27, 2008). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano, James E. Kellett, Mark A. Romeo, Rebecca L. Springer.
· "New Jersey and Washington D.C. Paid Leave Laws Gain Momentum," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 1, 2008). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Jeffrey W. Pagano, Mark A. Romeo.
· "California Supreme Court Limits Liability of Individuals for Retaliation Under FEHA,"Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (March 11, 2008). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Ira M. Saxe.
· "Avoiding a Maternal Profiling Claim," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 26, 2008). Contact: Mark A. Romeo.
· "New Tax Notice Requirement for California Employers," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (December 27, 2007). Contacts: Mark A. Romeo, Thomas P. Gies.
Speaking Engagements
· "Reducing Expenses In A Downturning Economy: The Implications of Salary Reductions, Furloughs, and Other Cost-Cutting Measures," Crowell & Moring's Labor Ounce of Prevention Seminar, Irvine, CA (April 8, 2009). Presenters: Mark A. Romeo and Christina K. Dallen.
· "Look Who's Watching: How to Protect Trade Secrets," South Coast Metro Alliance (June 2007). Presenter: Mark A. Romeo.
· "Look Who's Watching: How to Protect Trade Secrets," OCTANe (June 2006). Presenter: Mark A. Romeo.