Best Lawyers in California, United States for Labor and Employment Law - Management
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Cities
Steven A. Ehrlich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Steven A., who practices law in Lake Forest, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michele L. Maryott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michele L., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michele L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kathy H. Gao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kathy H., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathy H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Van Allyn Goodwin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Van Allyn, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Van Allyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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, ind...
Jeffrey Thurrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Jeffrey, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mark Theodore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Mark, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stacey Knight is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Stacey, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Charles S. Birenbaum serves as the firm’s Chair of Northern California. Chuck is an experienced labor and employment attorney who focuses his practice on traditional labor and employment law matters, and has wide-ranging experience litigating in state and federal courts as well as various administrative agencies. He has testified on proposed legislation impacting entire industries before state legislative committees, and has interfaced and negotiated with labor organizations, politician...
Ryan Derry’s practice includes various aspects of employment litigation and counseling, including employment discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wage and hour issues. He has represented employers in multiple jurisdictions in state and federal courts as well as in administrative proceedings against individual and class claims across industries, including retail, transportation, finance, healthcare, and technology fields. A talented litigator, Mr. Derry is adept at handling compl...
Todd R. Wulffson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Todd R., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Gregory Iskander is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Gregory, who practices law in Walnut Creek, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Danielle Hultenius Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Danielle Hultenius, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Danielle Hultenius is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Eric C. Bellafronto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Eric C., who practices law in San Jose, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mel M. Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Mel M., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mel M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Yesenia M. Gallegos focuses her labor and employment practice on a wide range of matters, including restrictive covenants, wage and hour law, discrimination and harassment claims, executive employment agreements, leaves of absence, employee terminations and reductions in force. Yesenia represents employers in employment litigation—including class actions—pending in both state and federal court. She also represents employers in actions against former employees in trade-secret and e...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.