Erick C. Turner is a partner with the Farrell Law Group. Erick has extensive litigation experience defending employment discrimination, unlawful harassment, wrongful termination, trade secret, prevailing wage, labor relations, and wage and hour matters.

In addition to his litigation practice, Erick provides preventative advice to both private and public employers. He counsels employers on all aspects of employer-employee relations including compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, leaves of absence, discipline and termination, personnel policies, privacy issues, and protection of trade secrets. By offering preventative advice, Erick assists employers in reducing the incidence of litigation.

Erick received his B.A. in History from California Lutheran University and was awarded his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in Waco, TX. While in law school, he was a member of the Order of Barristers and a Moot Court Competition Quarterfinalist. Erick was also elected to serve as an officer of the Student Body Association.

Areas of Practice
Labor and Employment Law

Representative Experience

• Represented local county agency in employment discrimination suit filed by job applicant alleging race, age, and gender discrimination in federal court. Successfully moved for summary judgment as to each of plaintiff’s claims for relief. Affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Represented employer and recently hired employee in state court in defense of interference with contractual relations and trade secret misappropriation claims by former employer.
• Obtained six-figure judgment on behalf of client against former employee, accountant, who embezzled money from the company.
• Extensive law and motion experience, including numerous successful summary judgment motions in state and federal courts; motions to dismiss; negotiations of settlement agreements and releases.
• Prepared Appellant’s brief in appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Prepared, reviewed, and revised employee handbooks and policy manuals; drafted employment agreements and negotiated severance packages for corporate executives; negotiated and drafted severance agreements on behalf of employers; drafted alcohol and drug testing policies, workplace search policies, and pre-employment inquiry policies and procedures.
• Counseled employers regarding employee discipline and employment termination, leaves of absence, workplace searches and investigations, alcohol and drug testing, employee policies, and employment discrimination and harassment.
• Advised employers regarding union organizing activities.
• Trained managers and supervisors on compliance with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/California Family Rights Act (CFRA); California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act/Title VII; Americans With Disabilities Act; and other compliance issues.
• Reviewed and updated independent contractor agreements.
• Drafted agreements regarding protection of employer’s confidential proprietary information and intellectual property.
• Advised departing employees on confidential information obligations to employers.
• Advised employers regarding misappropriation of trade secret information and unfair competition by former employees and business competitors.

Memberships

• Sacramento County Bar Association
• State Bar of California

Education
Baylor University School of Law
J.D., 2005
California Lutheran University
B.A., 1998
History and Social Science