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Mei-Ying M. Imanaka

Mei-Ying M. Imanaka
Partner

(t) 619.238.4838
(f) 619.231.4755

Mei-Ying Imanaka is an attorney in the firm’s litigation practice group.  Ms. Imanaka routinely advises businesses and individuals in a wide range of disputes in federal and state court.  She has substantial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in business litigation, labor and employment, class and collective action, and unfair competition matters. Ms. Imanaka thrives on delivering outstanding results for her clients and is dedicated to providing high quality and thorough advice.

Ms. Imanaka received a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Minor in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.  Following UCSD, she earned her Juris Doctor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While at Hastings, Ms. Imanaka was awarded the highest grade distinction for Trial Advocacy and she externed for the Honorable Bernard Zimmerman (Ret.), United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

  • Successfully obtained full defense verdict in favor of manufacturer as co-lead counsel in a multi-week trial in the Superior Court of Los Angeles
  • Won summary judgment in favor of individuals, defeating contract and warranty claims
  • Won multiple summary adjudication motions in favor of businesses, substantially reducing her clients’ potential exposure and liability
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of fraud, negligence, and punitive damages claims on behalf of corporate clients through motion work
  • Prevailed on numerous motions for class certification on behalf of California consumers, tenants, and employees
  • Successfully obtained conditional certification in Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions in the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits
  • Negotiated several multi-million dollar class and collective action settlements on behalf of plaintiffs
  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 2011
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A. in International Studies, Minor in Political Science, 2007
    • Sophia University, Japan (year abroad, 2005-2006)
  • San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence in Law, 2024
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars®, 2016 – 2021
  • San Diego Super Lawyers® Employment and Labor, 2020
  • Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Southern, Central, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California
  • Member, California State Bar
  • Member, San Diego County Bar Association
  • Co-author of Solomon Ward’s Employment Law Watch
  • Presenter, Sexual Harassment Training Seminars
  • Presenter, Substance Abuse Roundtable Seminars