Baldwin J. Lee

Baldwin heads the firm's Labor & Employment practice. He litigates wage/hour class actions, discrimination claims, and theft of trade secret matters. He also regularly advises clients regarding anti-harassment training, national audits, response to government investigations, and compliance with employment laws. Baldwin's clients range from several of the world's largest technology companies to start-ups. Baldwin has served as an outside general counsel for several clients, coordinating on a broad range of national legal issues.

Baldwin's jury trials include obtaining a unanimous defense verdict from an Oakland, California, jury for one of the nation's largest banks. Baldwin’s recent jury trial victories also include winning a complete defense verdict in a $36 million lawsuit against a global information technology products and services distributor, and obtaining a complete defense verdict from a San Jose jury for one of the world’s largest technology companies, where the plaintiff’s last demand before trial was $10 million. Baldwin is often called in to handle complicated or controversial issues, including representing in–house counsel accused of age discrimination.

Baldwin is experienced in evaluating or joining cases mid-stream. For example, he enrolled as counsel in one matter a week before a trial, and proceeded to implement a new strategy that resulted in a complete defense judgment on all 15 causes of action. He also resolved for nuisance value a class action that was valued by prior counsel at more than $10 million.

Baldwin has successfully represented plaintiffs in single and multi-plaintiff cases, including obtaining an eight-figure recovery in a mass raiding matter at the start of trial. Baldwin has also won various age, race, and pregnancy discrimination cases in California state and federal court. Baldwin actively provides pro bono assistance, including successfully litigating up to trial an age discrimination case on behalf of a janitor who spoke only Chinese and who was terminated just before his 65th birthday. Baldwin has also successfully represented the Vietnamese Community Center of San Francisco in litigation, a case for which he was recognized by the San Francisco Bar Association for his pro bono services.

Baldwin is requested, both by plaintiffs and defendants, to serve as a mediator. Baldwin served on the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco Fee Dispute Program for two decades, including providing training for mediators and arbitrators. Baldwin additionally has served as a mediator by appointment of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Baldwin speaks on panels for the American Arbitration Association regarding employment arbitration and mediation.

Baldwin regularly speaks and writes on employment law issues. He is a past co-author of International Labor & Employment Laws, published by the Bureau of National Affairs, contributing a chapter on Taiwan. Baldwin is consulted as an employment expert by the media, including being quoted by the New York Times, CNBC/CNET, and the San Francisco Business Times. He also has served as a guest lecturer regarding employment law issues at San Francisco State University and Saint Mary’s College.

Baldwin served on the firm’s Management Committee. He also is former head of the firm’s Diversity Committee.

After law school, Baldwin clerked for U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan.

Baldwin speaks Mandarin Chinese. He worked as a journalist in Asia before attending law school.