Paul J. Sopher

Paul J. Sopher is a trusted advisor and advocate for employers navigating complex workplace challenges. He represents companies in high-stakes employment litigation, including wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Paul has deep experience defending both single-plaintiff and class/collective actions in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration.

Beyond litigation, Paul partners with in-house counsel and HR leaders to proactively manage risk and ensure compliance with evolving employment laws. He provides strategic counsel on federal laws such as the FLSA, ADA, FMLA, NLRA, Title VII, and on other regulatory frameworks at the federal, state, and local levels, helping clients compliantly align their policies and practices with business goals. His work includes conducting wage and hour audits, advising on exemption classifications, and guiding internal investigations.

Paul brings particular insight to clients in the healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors, where operational complexity and workforce dynamics demand nuanced legal solutions. He regularly represents clients in traditional labor matters, including union organizing campaigns, contract negotiations, and grievance arbitrations.

In a prior secondment, Paul served as primary in-house employment counsel for a large national employer, giving him firsthand understanding of the pressures and priorities facing corporate legal and HR teams. His approach is pragmatic, responsive, and grounded in a deep understanding of the law and its interaction with people and business operations.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Rocky Relationships: Navigating Difficult Clients and the Ethics Issues They Pose

  • February 22, 2022
  • American Bar Association Webinar

FMLA, ADA and Workers' Compensation: Managing Leave of Absence Issues

  • October 23, 2019
  • NBI Seminar

A Guide to Pennsylvania's Proposed Overtime Rule

  • October 17, 2018
  • The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Additional Thought Leadership

Matters of Perspective: Restoring Plaintiffs’ Stories to Individual Disparate Treatment Law

  • 2012
  • 84 Temple L. Rev. 1031

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.