Managing Shareholder

Sayuri P. Espinosa

Litigator. Dealmaker. Advocate.

Sayuri began her career as a litigator, defending companies in wage-and-hour class actions, arbitrations and business disputes. She defeated class certification in a case involving more than 11,000 employees, won arbitrations on every claim, and learned firsthand how employment cases are built, defended and won.

Today she puts that experience to work for clients on every side of the table. She advises and represents both employers and employees in workplace matters, bringing a balanced, practical perspective shaped by experience on both sides. She counsels executives on employment, equity and separation agreements. And she advises businesses on mergers and acquisitions, governance, contracts and workplace compliance, drafting with the eye of someone who has seen what happens when documents are tested in court.

Her transactional practice focuses on middle-market equity and asset acquisitions, executive and equity incentive agreements, restrictive covenants and outside general counsel work, across industries including hospitality, apparel and beauty, food and beverage, health and wellness, technology, financial services, manufacturing and entertainment.

Sayuri is fluent in Spanish and conducts consultations and harassment prevention training in both English and Spanish.

She is deeply involved in the Orange County legal community, serving as Vice President of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association and on the Board of the Public Law Center, where she also provides pro bono services. She has also provided pro bono representation through Rutan & Tucker’s Orange County Human Trafficking Project and the Veterans Legal Institute.

Honors

Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2022–2026

Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2023–2026

Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law, Top 10 Young Diverse Lawyers of OC, 2024

Rutan & Tucker, LLP Excellence in Pro Bono Services Award, 2021

Leadership & Affiliations

Vice President, Orange County Women Lawyers Association (previously Treasurer, Secretary and Board Member)

Board Member, Public Law Center (2025–present)

Chair, Public Law Center Volunteers for Justice Silent Auction Committee

Past Chair, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Young Lawyers Division Committee

Board Member, OCWLA Foundation (2022)

Member, State Bar of California Labor & Employment Law Section; Orange County Bar Association

Let’s talk about what you’re up against.

Se habla español. Llámenos o escríbanos.