Navigating Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Classifications: A Guide for Attorneys

Clifton Albright Jr. is a Partner at Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC. He is a member of the firm’s employment litigation team handling litigation in all stages from inception through jury trial. His practice includes general and complex business litigation and labor and employment matters. Clifton often conducts employment investigations pertaining to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour claims.

Mr. Albright graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor in Business Management and received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. While attending law school, he was a member of the nationally-ranked Byrne Trial Advocacy Team which is currently ranked fourth in the nation. He also clerked for the Honorable Carol Rose for the Los Angeles County Superior Court of California.

Mr. Albright has garnered many accolades. He was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023 and 2024) and as a Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” (2024 and 2025). He was named a ‘2024 Attorney of the Year’ in California by Top 100 Lawyers in recognition of his outstanding efforts and achievements in the field of law. The L.A. Times B2B profiled him as a 2024 “Legal Visionary”. The Los Angeles Business Journal recognized him among their 2023 “Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys” and 2024 “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys.”

Clifton W. Albright is a founding partner and the President of Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC.  He has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. 

As an active trial attorney, Mr. Albright specializes in providing legal representation for employment, labor and tort defense to governmental and private entities.  He has been involved in numerous State and Federal jury trials from start to verdict.  He also has a successful appellate record. 

Mr. Albright oversees the firm’s litigation, negotiates business transactions, and conducts employment investigations and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance audits. 

Mr. Albright was twice appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC 11) by former President Barack Obama, and then, again, reappointed by President Donald Trump in 2018. ITAC works closely with the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to enhance trade between the United States and other countries.  Mr. Albright travels to Washington, D.C. and other locations to meet with government officials and others involved in international trade and trade relations.