Leslie Abbott is a partner in the Los Angeles Employment Law Department of Paul Hastings LLP, where she has practiced since 1991. She previously served as Global Employment Law Department Vice Chair-West Coast, and Chair of the Los Angeles Employment Law Department. Her practice includes the representation of employers in all aspects of employment law.

Ms. Abbott is Chair of the firm’s PAGA Practice Group. She focuses her practice on defending complex class, collective and representative actions. She handles investigations and audits by the Department of Labor and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, provides advice and training on wage and hour best practices, and conducts pay and classification compliance audits. Ms. Abbott also handles complex individual and systemic discrimination lawsuits and government investigations. She advises extensively on disability and leave laws.

Ms. Abbott repeatedly has been selected by her peers for listing in The Best Lawyers in America and California Super Lawyers. She is recognized in Chambers USA, Labor and Employment, The Legal 500, and she is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. The Daily Journal has recognized Ms. Abbott in its lists of California “Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers,” “Top 100 Women Litigators” and “Top Labor and Employment Lawyers.” She is a frequent speaker on employment law topics.

Ms. Abbott received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1983, and a Diploma in International and Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics in 1985. She received her J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1991, where she was an articles editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

Ms. Abbott is Chair of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Labor & Employment Section, and is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the National Association of Women Lawyers.