Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law - Employee

Elizabeth A. Rodgers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals. Elizabeth A., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joni champions the rights of employees in cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination , harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower issues , fueled by a passion for giving a voice to the oppressed within the workplace. As an exceptional advocate for her clients is Joni consistently demonstrates her ability to truly understand her clients unique situations through authentic listening. Joni takes the time to truly understand each client’s unique situation and objectives, crafting ...

Michael Schwarz gained his admission to the New Mexico Bar in 1980 and is a sole practitioner in Santa Fe, primarily practicing in the areas of employment and labor law. He authored the New Mexico Appellate Manual . He also authored numerous professional publications and appeared as a speaker at several continuing legal education programs in the areas of employment law and professional responsibility both at the local and national levels. Schwarz was past chair of the Employment and Labor Law...

John S. West is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals. John S., 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 John S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gay Crosthwait Grunfeld is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Employment Law - Individuals. Gay Crosthwait, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gay Crosthwait is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Linda D. Walton is a member of the firm's Labor & Employment Law National practice and former chair of the firm's Strategic Diversity Committee. In her practice, Ms. Walton defends both private sector and public sector employers in state and federal employment-related litigation matters. Through day-to-day counseling and the design and presentation of preventative law training programs for managers, supervisors and human resources personnel, Ms. Walton also devotes a significant part of h...

Nicholas Woodfield is a principal at The Employment Law Group® law firm and is the firm’s general counsel. He is a seasoned trial attorney specializing in civil litigation and appellate advocacy and focuses his practice on whistleblower claims, wage non-payment and misclassification claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), discrimination and retaliation cases, and qui tam actions. Washingtonian Magazine has named him to its “Top Lawyers” list for his representat...

Stephanie D. Gironda is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals. Stephanie D., who practices law in Woodbridge, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephanie D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pete’s employment practice is guided by the adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Pete uses his common sense business approach to help his clients make legally sound decisions regarding their employees while advancing the needs and mission of his clients’ businesses. Pete practices in all areas of employment law, providing counsel and representation to employers throughout East Coast on issues regarding federal and state leave laws, wrongful termina...

Trial attorney Genie Harrison is recognized by opposing counsel and her peers as a dogged advocate on behalf of her clients. Ms. Harrison provides aggressive representation in every case she litigates and she is truly a resource for her clients as they are navigating the disconcerting waters of employment troubles. Where possible, Ms. Harrison relishes the opportunity to bring institutional change, which she has been fortunate to accomplish a number of times in her career. This type of change...

J. Heydt Philbeck concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights, employment law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, unfair business practices, state and federal personnel law, constitutional law, and occupational licensing. Mr. Philbeck is an experienced trial advocate who has tried over 100 jury and bench trials to verdict. He has successfully represented clients before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U...

Founding Partner On January 16, 2025,, Gary Gwilliam received the first ever, Legend of The Law, Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Alameda Contra Costs Trial Lawyers Association. Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state. His reputation and skill in representing seriously injured plaintiffs is well known. He has tried over 180 jury cases, of which almost 150 were plaintiff civil personal injury cases. He has handled major cases in every area o...

Long motivated by a desire to see justice served through proper application of the law, Daniel F. “Frank” Blanchard, III is actively involved in civil trial work with emphasis in employment, civil rights, personal injury, consumer law, business litigation, and probate, estate, and trust cases. Frank attended Greenville’s Furman University, where he was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and received the Furman Scholar and Kennedy Foundation Scholarships. During hi...

Deborah R. Willig has served as Willig, Williams & Davidson’s managing partner since the firm’s founding in 1979. A determined advocate for workers, Deborah has focused her practice on labor relations and employment law since 1976. As a labor and employment attorney, Deborah has been involved in representing a wide range of labor unions including teachers, and non-professional public school employees, public health, social, and recreation workers, firefighters, teamsters and o...

Lou Pechman handles cases in all areas of workplace law, including sex harassment litigation, employment discrimination, employment contracts, non-competition agreements, independent contractor issues, overtime and pay disputes, and union-management relations. As a practitioner for over 40 years in the employment law field, Lou offers both individual employees and employersc practical guidance on resolving employment law issues, either by active litigation or by confidential negotiation or me...

Brent Hannafan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brent, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.