Why I love what I do...

"I love problem-solving. And I love that I am able to help clients prevent and solve problems on a daily basis - whether it's through advice and counseling or litigation. Whether I help successfully resolve a wage and hour class action or a single plaintiff sexual harassment case, the personal satisfaction is the same."

Professional Experience

Danielle L. Pener is a Senior Associate at Villarreal Hutner PC. Danielle represents and counsels Fortune 100 and smaller clients in all aspects of employment law. Danielle has successfully defended clients in a variety of employment law matters, including through trial.

Danielle has extensive experience defending employment-related matters, including wage and hour class action litigation and claims of discrimination and harassment.

In addition, Danielle offers strategic advice and counseling to employers with respect to personnel policies, wage and hour issues, employee counseling and investigations, and developing job descriptions.

Professional Qualifications and Activities

Prior to coming to Villarreal Hutner PC, Danielle was In-House Senior Counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where she managed 350 EEOC and state agency charges of discrimination for 19 states, including California.

Danielle also has represented Fortune 500 clients in employment matters at Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC.

Danielle is admitted to practice in all California Courts. Additionally, Danielle is admitted to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. She is a member of the California Minority Counsel Program, and the San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.

Before Law School...

In addition to being a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Danielle was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society and was a recipient of the Bryn Sara Linkow Scholarship two years in a row.