Judith Droz "Judy" Keyes

Judith Droz "Judy" Keyes

San Francisco, CA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

189 Best Lawyers awards

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Biography

Judy Keyes is a labor and employment lawyer who partners with employer-clients to navigate the complex system of laws and regulations that govern the California workplace. She is recognized for her "out-of-the-box" thinking and ability to solve complex human resources and labor relations problems in effective and efficient ways. She counsels clients on how to avoid and respond to discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims; comply with wage and hour laws (e.g., exempt vs. nonexempt, independent contractors, rest and meal periods); grant and limit periods of time off (e.g. leaves of absence, disability accommodation, vacation and sick leave, "kin care"); and reduce and reorganize staff to meet business goals.

Judy represents employers in all forms of dispute resolution — from single-plaintiff and class action litigation in federal and state courts, to mediation and arbitration, to proceedings before federal and state agencies. She also represents employers in union-related matters, including NLRB proceedings, grievance handling, and contract negotiations.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

189 Best Lawyers awards

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP logo

Overview

  • University of California Berkeley, J.D., graduated 1975

  • California, The State Bar of California

  • Association of Workplace Investigators - Member
  • College of Labor & Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • Grace Cathedral - Trustee
  • Thelton Henderson Center for Social Justice - Advisory Board
  • California, The State Bar of California
  • Association of Workplace Investigators - Member
  • College of Labor & Employment Lawyers - Fellow
  • Grace Cathedral - Trustee
  • Thelton Henderson Center for Social Justice - Advisory Board
  • University of California Berkeley, J.D., graduated 1975

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Management, San Francisco (2023)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, San Francisco (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Labor Law - Management
Special Focus:
  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Class Actions
  • COVID-19
  • Defense
  • Discrimination
  • Education
  • Management
  • State and Federal
  • Title VII Litigation
  • Wage-Hour Law
  • Wrongful Discharge
Awards:
  • Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers

Additional Information

  • Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1975
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1977
  • U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1993
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2014
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit,1996

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