Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law - Employee

Holding corporations, healthcare facilities, and the government responsible for illegal conduct that violates the social contract that we all rely on – this is what Clay Wire strives to do with every client he represents. Clay is an advocate for those who engage in the selfless and difficult act of whistleblowing, and those who want to see fraudsters held accountable. The core of Clay’s practice is representing whistleblowers when they suffer retaliation or when they choose to rep...

Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Joyce Smithey is the founder of Smithey Law Group LLC . Her practice focuses on employment and labor law , including Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment. She represents both employees and employers across Maryland and the District of Columbia in matters involving workplace policies, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour disputes , wrongful termination allegations, and other employment-rela...

Peter Friedmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Peter, who practices law in Hilliard, Ohio, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Elizabeth Hanley is a plaintiffs’ trial attorney and shareholder at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle. She represents survivors of sexual abuse and discrimination, crime victims, and individuals and families impacted by wrongful death, serious injury, or unlawful treatment at work. Hanley is a past president of the Washington State Association for Justice and currently serves as secretary of the American Association for Justice’s Council of Presidents. She has been recogn...

Benjamin Stark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Benjamin, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly Holbrook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kelly, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Whitaker is a member of Kean Miller ’s labor and employment law group in New Orleans, Louisiana. His practice focuses on representing employers and management in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including the defense of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. He regularly advises employers on compliance with state and federal employment laws, drafts employment contracts, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, and assists with the developmen...

Brian practices primarily with the firm’s litigation group and focuses on commercial, landlord-tenant, real estate, and employment litigation. He also draws upon his litigation experience to counsel his clients on methods of avoiding litigation in the first place. Brian represents a wide range of businesses and individuals involved in a variety of disputes, including disagreements over partnership, real estate, and asset purchase agreements, leases, mortgages, mechanic’s liens, an...

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...

Attorney Richard M. Goldberg, a principal in the law firm of Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, joined the firm’s Business Team in 1964 and is widely regarded as the dean of labor law in Northeastern Pennsylvania. A graduate of Dickinson College and Dickinson School of Law, Attorney Goldberg holds a Master of Laws degree from Temple University Law School. In 2006, he was given the President’s Award by the Luzerne County Bar Association for his service to the legal community. He is also...

David A. Kotzian is the managing member of David A. Kotzian, PLLC in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For the past 24 years, his practice has been concentrated in employment rights litigation, counseling, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Kotzian is a 1984 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and also earned his Ph.D. in Labor Economics from the University of Michigan. He is the Past Chair of the Oakland County Employment Law Committee, and a past Council Member of the State Bar of Mich...

Don practices exclusively in the area of employment and labor law. He counsels and represents employers in such matters as employment discrimination and sexual harassment claims, wrongful discharge claims, breach of contract claims, wage and hour disputes, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, employee hiring, discipline, and discharge procedures, drug and alcohol testing matters, non-competition disputes, labor relations issues and miscellaneous employment policy matters. Don has been...

Janet E. Wise is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar since 2001, which recognizes her special knowledge, skills and proficiency in labor and employment law, along with her professionalism and ethical standards. As an attorney with the Sass Law Firm, she brings over 33 years of experience to the practice which primarily represents employees from both the private and public sectors in workplace disputes. Ms. Wise speaks frequently on employment law topics, especially ...

Lisa York Bowman, the Managing Member of York Bowman Law, LLC, has over 20 years of experience litigating with a focus on employment law. Lisa’s practice is devoted to helping executives negotiate employment contracts and severance agreements. Lisa also helps small to mid-sized businesses with all employment related matters, including: Internal Investigations; Federal EEO Investigator; Wage & Hour Law Litigation; Federal court litigation; Severance negotiations; Department of Labor ...

Jason Zuckerman litigates whistleblower retaliation , qui tam , wrongful discharge, discrimination, non-compete, and other employment-related claims, and authors the Whistleblower Protection Law Blog . His broad experience includes practicing employment law at a national law firm, serving as a Principal at The Employment Law Group, and serving as Senior Legal Advisor to the Special Counsel at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel , the federal agency charged with protecting whistleblowers in the...