Best Lawyers in California, United States for Litigation - Labor and Employment
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Nicole R. McAtee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicole R., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Anthony J. DeCristoforo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Anthony J., who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tim Freudenberger is a Founding Partner at CDF Labor Law LLP (CDF), a California focused labor, employment and immigration defense law firm with five offices throughout the state. Freudenberger represents California and national employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation, with a special emphasis on defending class action wage and hour lawsuits, class action employment discrimination lawsuits, and other complex employment litigation matters. He heads CDF’...
Lawrence H. Stone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Lawrence H., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael Kalt is a partner in the Employment Law Practice Group of Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, where he has worked since 1996. His employment law practice emphasizes the litigation and trial of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination cases in state and federal court. Michael also provides advice and training to employers on employee discipline and investigations, employment policies and procedures, and fair employment practices. Michael represents businesses of all sizes and in most indu...
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.
In her practice, Jody A. Landry handles employment litigation matters of a broad variety, including both single plaintiff and class actions, that generally stem from claims of: Overtime misclassification Failure to provide meal/rest breaks Wrongful termination Sexual harassment Employment discrimination Retaliation Breach of contract Other wage and hour violations Appearing in state and federal courts, she regularly handles class actions involving a variety of wage and hour issues arising und...
Felicia Gilbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Felicia, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Felicia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sierra Vierra is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Sierra, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sierra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Walter M. Stella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Walter M., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Walter M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jim McDonald is managing partner of the Irvine office and a partner in the Los Angeles office. He is also the firm's marketing partner and chair of the firm's Development Committee. Jim tries employment cases before juries, judges and arbitrators. His practice especially focuses on executive terminations, workplace harassment and discrimination claims, the Americans with Disabilities Act, mental health issues in the workplace, and trade secrets and unfair competition matters. Jim also advises...
Maria C. Rodriguez advises US and international corporations with regard to employment law compliance and mergers and acquisitions; and defends employment cases and class action litigation. She is a trusted advisor to clients helping them avoid or resolve disputes and protect resources through proactive and strategic planning. She is experienced working with clients in the sports, media and entertainment, technology, food and restaurant, airline, transportation and distribution, health care a...
Lyne Richardson is the managing partner of the Los Angeles office. She focuses her practice on employment law, litigation and client counseling. Lyne also oversees the employment litigation of the Los Angeles office and has litigated all forms of employment law cases in both state and federal courts in California and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the DLSE and the EEOC. She is a frequent lecturer on labor and employment issues and has published a variety of articles...
Aaron H. Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Aaron H., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Linda is an experienced trial attorney, having tried close to 100 jury trials. She focuses on defending employers and individuals who are sued for wrongful termination, employment discrimination, and harassment. Linda has represented health care, legal, retail, and public sector employers for over 35 years. She frequently lectures to management groups, administrators, judges, and physician groups as well as various bar sponsored groups. She also serves as a volunteer court appointed mediator ...
Elizabeth Stallard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Elizabeth, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth 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.