Having joined downtown-based Buchalter in 2002, Kalley Aman is a shareholder in the firm’s labor and employment, litigation, and hospitality, restaurant, food and beverage practice groups.
As an attorney for employers, Aman’s practice specializes in a variety of litigation, including for employment discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, retaliation and trade secret claims, among others. She has frequently presented on labor and employment law issues in roundtables and conferences.
Tell me about your labor and employment practice and how you built it.
I began my career as a commercial class action litigator. As wage and hour class action filings increased in California, my practice transitioned to employment class actions and counseling. For over 20 years now, I have represented employers in class and PAGA actions and in single plaintiff cases alleging discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation and other employment claims.
A considerable amount of my practice is spent helping clients navigate the thorny requirements of California and federal employment law, including in recruitment and hiring, employee classification, performance management and discipline, interactive process and leaves of absence, terminations and workplace investigations. I work across a variety of industries, including hospitality, mortgage lending and servicing, manufacturing, construction, health care, and technology.
The key to my success has been building long-term and lasting partnerships with clients by learning their business operations and objectives, being highly responsive to their needs and delivering timely and pragmatic advice.
What’s a signature legal victory for you?
After nearly three years litigating in federal court, on the first day of trial, we moved to exclude all evidence of the opposing party’s damages at trial due to their failure to comply with discovery disclosure requirements. The Court granted our motion entirely and the case settled the next day. The client was thrilled with the outcome and our victory reinforced the importance of taking discovery obligations seriously.
Conversely, is there a loss that was nevertheless formative for your career?
Absolutely. Early in my career, I was involved in a case where, despite strong legal arguments, the outcome didn’t go in our favor due to a particularly plaintiff-friendly venue. It was an important learning experience that has shaped how I evaluate potential exposure in cases.
What’s it like to work labor and employment in a state like California?
California is the most dynamic and challenging state for employment law. California has an enormous body of highly technical employment laws and the penalties to employers for noncompliance are extremely harsh. I enjoy the challenge of practicing employment law in California because the work is intellectually engaging and constantly evolving. All California employment practitioners must stay at the cutting edge of compliance and litigation trends to best serve their clients.
What has kept you busy so far this year?
This year, I have been busy advising clients who are considering or undergoing layoffs or restructuring in response to the current economic climate. Whatever the long-term consequences, the tariff activity has caused many businesses to scale back their workforce and look for cost-saving measures.
In the sense that rising operating costs can result in cutbacks, do you anticipate the Trump Administration’s tariffs to add to your workload at all?
Yes. Businesses directly impacted by tariffs are undergoing layoffs and restructuring or, in some cases, preparing to shut down. As employers downsize in response to financial setbacks and uncertainty, they must stay compliant with the morass of state and federal employment laws, including state and federal Warn Acts.
What are unique challenges to the labor and employment landscape in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles presents a unique mix of industries, from entertainment and hospitality to technology, all of which operate under layers of complex local, state, and federal employment regulations. The state’s progressive employment laws, combined with a more litigious environment in Los Angeles, means that Los Angeles employers face heightened exposure if they are not proactive in their compliance efforts. Ongoing training, policy updates, and hands-on legal counsel are essential for employers to avoid exposure.
How has your firm empowered your career and practice?
Buchalter has provided an incredible platform for growth. The firm’s collaborative culture and strong industry focus, particularly in hospitality and financial services, has allowed me to deepen my expertise in employment law and expand my client base. The ability to work closely with attorneys across multiple disciplines and offices also has been instrumental for me in delivering comprehensive and practical legal solutions to my clients.
