Steven M. Zadravecz (Steve)

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Irvine + 1.949.553.7508 Los Angeles + 1.213.243.2195

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Steven Zadravecz is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with 30 years of experience defending employers in high-stakes litigation. His practice centers on trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and noncompete agreements. A Fellow in the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers and ranked by Chambers USA, Steve has earned a reputation as one of California's "Top Trade Secret Lawyers" and is praised by clients as an "amazing talent with a huge depth of experience" and a "straight shooter" who can "quickly distill legal issues and provide practical advice."

Steve is an accomplished trial lawyer who has prevailed in multiple jury trials. Steve's recent victories include a multimillion-dollar verdict in a trade secret misappropriation case, a defense verdict in a discrimination and harassment lawsuit, and the successful defense of a wage and hour action resulting in a unanimous jury verdict.

Steve is a seasoned class action strategist and has served as lead counsel in dozens of high-profile California wage and hour class and Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) representative actions. His class action experience spans claims involving meal break violations, overtime failures, and regular rate violations. Steve maintains an active docket defending employers against discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims, with particular depth in disability discrimination matters.

Beyond the courtroom, Steve is a trusted advisor to companies navigating complex employment challenges. He counsels clients on restrictive covenants and nationwide application of noncompete agreements, wage and hour compliance, and disability accommodations in the workplace. A sought-after speaker, Steve regularly lectures before employers and management groups.

Experience

  • Applied Medical Distribution's jury trial win on trade secret misappropriation unanimously upheld by California Court of AppealsJones Day client Applied Medical’s favorable jury trial result was unanimously upheld by the California Court of Appeals, maintaining the permanent injunction against the plaintiff.
  • Distribution International and E.J. Bartells obtain complete victory in trade secrets misappropriation actionJones Day clients Distribution International Southwest, LLC and Rhem, LLC, d/b/a E.J. Bartells, two large commercial insulation distributors, obtained a unanimous, favorable jury verdict following a trial in the District Court of Denver, Colorado.
  • Applied Medical Resources secures appellate victory on FEHA retaliation claim by former employee after obtaining favorable jury verdict following trialJones Day successfully defended Applied Medical Resources Corporation against a lawsuit brought by a former employee who asserted claims for violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, including disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in the interactive process, failure to prevent discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy.
  • Judicial Council of California and Chief Justice of California obtain summary judgment, on eve of trial, in long-running disparate impact discrimination lawsuitJones Day successfully represented the Judicial Council of California and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero in a long-running disparate impact discrimination lawsuit filed by seven retired judges.
  • United Airlines obtains summary judgment on all ten claims in pilot discrimination lawsuitJones Day secured a complete summary judgment victory for client United Airlines, Inc. on all claims brought by a United pilot.
  • BioMarin successfully resolves noncompete disputeJones Day filed a declaratory relief action on behalf of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. to have the court determine if its employee's noncompete agreement was unenforceable.
  • Applied Medical Distribution obtains favorable result following seven-week jury trialFollowing a seven-week jury trial, Jones Day assisted its client, Applied Medical Distribution Corporation, in securing a jury verdict that found misappropriation of trade secrets against a former high ranking executive of Applied as well as his new employer.
  • Applied Medical Distribution obtains defense verdict in case brought by former employee asserting multiple employment claimsApplied Medical retained Jones Day to defend the company in an action brought by a former employee alleging, among other things, sex and age discrimination, sex harassment, and retaliation.
  • Global chemical company protects trade secrets, obtains judgment, damages, and attorneys' fees against former employeeJones Day assisted a global chemical company in pursuing claims of trade secret misappropriation and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ("CFAA") against a former employee when the company discovered the employee had been systematically downloading decades of its trade secrets and confidential information.
  • Verizon's summary judgment win in discrimination case affirmed by California Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeal for the State of California affirmed the trial court's ruling for Jones Day's client Verizon California, Inc. in this discrimination and retaliation matter.
  • Micron Technology defeats putative wage and hour class action and claims under the Private Attorney General Act filed on behalf of all California engineersJones Day represented Micron Technology, Inc. in a putative class action brought on behalf of all individuals performing engineering services in California.
  • Applied Medical Resources' arbitration agreement enforceability affirmed on appealJones Day obtained a significant victory for client Applied Medical Resources Corporation ("AMRC") in a putative wage and hour class arbitration alleging claims for violation of California's Labor Code, obtaining a published opinion confirming the enforceability of an arbitration agreement between Applied Medical and the plaintiff, an AMRC employee.
  • Cart.com secures voluntary dismissal of novel pen register claim after filing motion to dismissJones Day successfully defended Cart.com in an action asserting novel data privacy claims.
  • PITCO Foods develops program to address COVID-19 spread at workJones Day represents PITCO Foods, Inc., a food supply company based in California, during the COVID-19 crisis to consider and assess appropriate protocols and policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among employees, including a testing program for returning and new workers.
  • Audit committee conducts independent investigation of allegations of financial and personal misconduct of CEO of American ApparelJones Day conducted, on behalf of the independent directors of American Apparel, an investigation of alleged misconduct and possible Sarbanes Oxley violations by the former CEO, resulting in his termination for non-suitability.
  • Applied Medical obtains $33 million judgment in cross-border business disputeAfter nearly three years of protracted litigation, Jones Day client Applied Medical Distribution Corporation obtained a damages award and judgment exceeding $33 million against a South Korean corporation, Ah Sung International, Inc., and its President/majority shareholder, and senior director.
  • Glidewell obtains TRO to protect trade secretsJones Day represented James R. Glidewell, Dental Ceramics, Inc., a leading developer of innovative products for the dental industry, after two high-ranking research and development employees left and started a competing business.
  • Applied Medical Resources obtains dismissal of discrimination actionApplied Medical Resources Corporation retained Jones Day to defend the company against a former employee's claim that he was terminated based on his age and in retaliation for lodging various complaints.
  • BBA Aviation sells Ontic for $1.365 billionJones Day advised BBA Aviation plc ("BBA") in the sale of its Ontic business to an investment fund affiliated with CVC Capital Partners for $1.365 billion.
  • PC Mall achieves settlement in related wage and hour class actionsJones Day represented PC Mall, Inc. in a pair of related putative class actions brought against its subsidiary PC Mall Gov, Inc., and a division of PC Mall, known as MacMall.
  • Applied Medical forecloses class claims in putative wage and hour class actionOn June 2, 2017, Jones Day obtained a significant victory for client Applied Medical Resources Corporation in a putative wage and hour class action, prevailing on a motion to compel individual, non-class/non-representative arbitration.
  • Asbury Automotive Group acquires Larry H. Miller Dealerships and Total Care Auto for $3.2 billionJones Day advised Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in its acquisition of Larry H. Miller Dealerships, and Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar for $3.2 billion.
  • Payment processing company pursues trade secret cases against former sales representativesJones Day is representing a payment processing company that is prosecuting unfair competition and trade secret-type claims against former sales agents who used confidential pricing and customer information to lure away its customers on behalf of a competitor while still contracted with our client.
    • View All

    January 2026 White Paper

    Global Trade Secret Update: Key Developments in 2025

    January 2026 White Paper

    A Review of 2025 Labor & Employment Legislation in California

    February 2025 White Paper

    Global Trade Secret Update: Key Developments in 2024

    January 2025 White Paper

    A Review of 2024 Labor & Employment Legislation in California

    January 2025 Alert

    DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines for Business Activities Affecting Workers

    NOVEMBER 2024 Alert

    California Imposes Mandatory Disclosure Law for Voluntary Child Labor Audits

    October 2024 Alert

    Employer Prevails in First Test of California's Newest Noncompete Law

    August 2024 Video

    JONES DAY PRESENTS: Employer Options in a Non-Noncompete World

    April 2024 White Paper

    FAQs About the FTC Final Rule Banning Worker Noncompete Agreements

    January 2024 White Paper

    2023 Annual Review: Key U.S. Trade Secret Developments
    View All

    Additional Publications

    • May 1, 2024
      California Court of Appeal Clarifies Elements of Damages Recoverable In Trade Secret Misappropriation Cases. Los Angeles Daily Journal.

    Additional Speaking Engagements

    • November 2, 2022
      Protecting Trade Secrets in Changing Times with Remote Work and Increased Employee Mobility, 2022 Annual New York Labor & Employment Law Discussion Group
    • May 28, 2020
      Return To Work: Considerations as California Continues Its Phased Reopening
    • November 14, 2019
      California Employment Law Council - Defeating Class Certification
    • January 31, 2019
      Challenges Employers Face in 2019 -- Case and Statutory Update; Jones Day University
    • November 15, 2018
      Class Action and Litigation Trends: A 2018 Review, Jones Day CLE at Hyundai Motor America
    • June 27, 2018
      Independent Contractor Classifications in California After Dynamex
    • March 23, 2018
      Keynote speaker on trends in California Employment Law at annual conference for Southern California Association of Law Libraries
    • January 23, 2018
      Labor & Employment Case and Statutory Update 2019, Jones Day MCLE University
    • July 12, 2017
      National Employment Law Institute – The California Family Rights Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act
    • January 25, 2017
      2017 Legislative and Employment Law Update: What the Future Holds for California, Jones Day University
    • November 2, 2016
      Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses – Legal Clinic: Human Resources & Employment Matters
    • January 27, 2016
      2016 The Constantly Evolving Landscape: Employment Law in California, Jones Day University
    • January 19, 2016
      Orange County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section – The Contingent Workforce
    • January 13, 2016
      California Grocers Association – The Effect of the New California Grocery Worker Retention Law
    • November 5, 2015
      California Grocers Association – Update on California Wage and Hour Developments, Including Recently Enacted Legislation
    • June 12 & June 19, 2015
      California Employment Law Council’s Annual Educational Program – The Contingent Work Force: Pitfalls and Perils
    • November 12, 2014
      Update on California Wage & Hour Developments, Including Recently Enacted and Pending Legislation
    • June 11, 2013
      Trade Secrets and Employee Mobility - Protecting Your Company's Proprietary Information
    • October 14, 2010
      2010 California Labor & Employment Law Briefing
    • October 8, 2009
      Wage and Hour Litigation and Developments: Recent Trends, New Types of Cases, and What to Expect in 2009, Jones Day 2009 California Labor & Employment Law Briefing
    • January 29, 2009
      Access in California -- the New Frontier/Public Accommodation Law in California, Jones Day 2009 MCLE University
    • October 21, 2008
      Wage and Hour Law and Developments in California, California Employment Advisory Counsel
    • September 18, 2008
      Jones Day 2008 California Labor & Employment Law Briefing

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