Nora Stilestein

Partner

Nora is a labor and employment practitioner that represents clients within medical, hospitality, retail, and technology industries.

Nora Stilestein Portrait

An experienced trial lawyer, Nora defends employers in federal and California courts, with a particular focus on wage-and-hour class and representative PAGA actions. Nora has repeatedly defeated class certification, has successfully defended class and representative actions through trial, and regularly represents clients in arbitrations. 

Nora also collaborates closely with businesses to help them make informed decisions and achieve compliance through unique strategies and tools tailored to each client’s industry and organizational culture. In addition, Nora provides trainings on a broad spectrum of topics, from discrimination and harassment prevention to workplace investigations and employee discipline.   

Client Work

  • Represented a national hospital system in an eight-week PAGA trial involving thousands of employees. The hospital prevailed on all PAGA claims.
  • Represented an agricultural marketing company through Ninth Circuit appeal, successfully avoiding expansion of joint employer liability.
  • Represented a major restaurant chain in a four-week jury trial.  No PAGA penalties were awarded.

Previous Work

Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Nora was a partner at a large international law firm.

Presentations & Recognitions

Presentations

  • “Pregnancy Discrimination In 2022,” Beverly Hills Bar Association (March 29, 2022)

Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Best Lawyers (2023)
  • Pasadena Top Attorney, Pasadena Magazine (2013)

Professional Activities

Pro Bono Work

  • Public Counsel Adoption Project – Los Angeles
  • Represented The Wall Las Memorias on a pro bono basis for over a decade

Life Beyond the Law

Outside of work, Nora enjoys traveling, reading, and laughing as much as possible.

Perspectives