Partner

Orange County

Direct: 949.224.6238

Office: 949.760.1121

tsong@buchalter.com

Bar Admissions

California

Languages

Korean (Conversational)

Overview

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Thomas Song is a Partner in the Firm’s Irvine office and a member of the Labor and Employment practice group. Mr. Song represents employers in complex employment litigation and provides strategic guidance on a wide range of workplace issues, with significant experience defending California employers in class actions, representative actions under the Private Attorneys General Act, and single-plaintiff employment disputes. 

Mr. Song’s practice includes defending employers against claims involving wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, and related employment claims in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. He has extensive experience defending clients in Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA compliance matters, including appeal and contesting of OSHA citations through trial.  He also represents clients in trade secret litigation, breach of contract, unfair competition, and other business torts. Mr. Song is known for his ability to strategically position clients to achieve their goals, ensuring they are well-informed and prepared to navigate any legal challenges.

Mr. Song’s in-depth knowledge of OSHA compliance sets him apart. As a former legal counsel for the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board, he offers clients tailored, practical advice on OSHA laws and requirements. Mr. Song has successfully defended companies against serious and fatality-related citations, including multi-day evidentiary hearings through to final order and decision.  His negotiation skills are also highly valued, as he has successfully secured favorable settlements with both Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA.

Before pursuing his legal career, Mr. Song served as a nuclear-trained naval officer in the U.S. Navy, completing his training at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Navy Nuclear Power School. He served on Aegis-class guided missile destroyers and completed his engineer tour onboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).  While on the Lincoln he completed a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, served as a reactor division officer and reactor plant watch officer, and achieved his nuclear engineer qualification.  His leadership and technical skills, combined with his legal background, makes Tom a dedicated advocate for employers navigating complex workplace regulations and disputes.

  • Defeated motion for class certification resulting in complete dismissal of all putative wage/hour class claims.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of all Serious, Accident-Related citations issued by Cal/OSHA after multi-day evidentiary hearing before Cal/OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board.
  • Successfully defended company against Serious and Willful (“S&W”) claims before Workers Compensation Appeals Board, including seven-day long S&W trial resulting in highly favorable outcome for client.

Admissions

  • California

Education

  • Loyola Law School at Los Angeles, J.D.
    • Judicial Extern to the Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
    • First Honors Award, Technology and Privacy Law
    • Attended Loyola’s Evening Program, while working full time for Otis Elevator Company.
  • Defense Language Institute (military linguist course)
  • Virginia Military Institute, B.S. in Computer Science/Math, with distinction

  • Orange County Bar Association, Member
  • Selected for U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), Spring 2011

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