Best Lawyers in California, United States for Labor and Employment Law - Management
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Cities
Michele Ballard Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michele Ballard, 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 Michele Ballard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen Harris is a partner in the Tax Department of Paul Hastings, and co-chair of the firm’s Global Compensation, Benefits, and ERISA practice. Steve is a recognized leader in compensation, benefits, and ERISA law. He has been ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top employee benefits and executive compensation lawyers in California and Chambers has noted that he “maintains an impressively broad practice that includes IRS, HIPAA and COBRA compliance.” He is also recognized...
Helene J. Wasserman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Helene J., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Helene J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brian Sinclair is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Brian, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lisa Barnett Sween is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Lisa Barnett, 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 Lisa Barnett is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Donald P. Sullivan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law - Management. Donald P., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Donald P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.
Ken is a founding partner of the firm. He has dedicated his legal career to labor and employment law matters primarily involving union-management relations. He is considered one of the country’s preeminent management attorneys in the hospitality industry and has lectured throughout the country on preventive labor relations and other employment-related issues. Although Ken is a strong management advocate and a result driven negotiator, he maintains unique working relationships both with ...
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...
Richard began his career as a workplace lawyer in 1977 after obtaining degrees from Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations and the Santa Clara University law school. Richard has spent his entire career assisting management defend and risk manage workplace related legal matters and proposed personnel transactions. His experience in the trenches enables Richard to provide management with a clear-eyed assessment and strategic options. Richard’s style is one w...
Alden J. Parker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Leisure and Hospitality Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Alden J., who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alden J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alison L. Tsao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Alison L., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David Durham concentrates his practice on representation and advice to businesses in all matters involving labor unions. He works in many sectors, including technology, real estate, retail, higher education, construction, marine terminal operations, rideshare, health care, alcoholic beverage producers, food service, hotel, newspapers, radio, television and live entertainment. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/durham-david/
Matthew B. Golper serves as a trusted advisor, litigator, and business partner to employers of all sizes, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 businesses, in all aspects of employment law and related litigation. Matt’s litigation practice is focused on providing employers with aggressive, but goal-oriented, representation in complex wage-hour matters, including class, collective, and PAGA representative actions. He also regularly defends employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliat...
James P. Carter is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, non-compete and trade-secret issues and claims, class action cases, breach of contract claims, disability accommodation, leave of absence, and workers' compensation issues. James represents clients in many industries including financial, bi...
Marianne C. Koepf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Marianne C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marianne C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.