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Lawrence A. Michaels

Partner - los angeles

Experience

Legal Expertise

Representing employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies (e.g. NLRB, EEOC, DLSE) in virtually all labor and employment areas (wage/hour class actions, discrimination, wrongful termination, privacy, and other emerging torts). Providing advice and strategic planning for personnel policies, force reductions, and difficult personnel decisions (e.g. discharges, promotions, mergers and acquisitions). Representation in all labor matters, including union avoidance, organizing drives, labor disputes, and collective bargaining.

Representative Matters

  • Represented eight major motion picture studios in industry-wide wage/hour class action.
  • On behalf of Fortune 100 company, obtained defense verdict and award of attorneys' fees in excess of $100,000 against plaintiff in discrimination and whistleblower action, following one month jury trial.
  • Successfully represented NYSE Company in defeating a major "corporate campaign" organizing effort by labor union, which included wage/hour litigation, unfair labor practice charges, publicity initiatives, and other organizing tactics.
  • Oral argument before the California Supreme Court (as amicus) in Scott v. PG&E.
  • Appearance before the California Supreme Court (as amicus) in Cortez v. Purolator Products, Yanowitz v. L'Oreal, and Sullivan v. Oracle Corp.
  • Previously served as a regular columnist on employment law for the Los Angeles Daily Journal.

Honors & Awards

  • “Who’s Who Legal: Labour & Employment 2015," Who’s Who Legal (2015)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of:
    • Employment Law - Management (2011-2022)
    • Labor Law - Management (2011-2022)
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2022)
    • 2021 Lawyer of the Year 
  • "Top 5% of lawyers in Southern California," Southern California Super Lawyers (2004-2017)
  • AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

  • Chairman, Labor Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar
  • California State Bar, Labor Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Committee on Individual Employee Rights and Responsibilities
  • Magic Castle

Other Career Experience

  • Judicial Extern to the Honorable Malcolm M. Lucas

Headlines

Headlines

Events & Speaking Engagements

Admissions

  • California, 1982
  • U.S. District Court
  •    Central District of California, 1982
  •    Northern District of California, 1983
  •    Southern District of California, 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1982
  •    Ninth Circuit

Education

University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D., 1982; Order of the Coif

Southern California Law Review; Recipient, Legion Lex Scholarship

University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., 1978; cum laude

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