Michael Best announced today the addition of David Szwarcsztejn as a Partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, based out of the Los Angeles office. Szwarcsztejn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in high-stakes discrimination and wage and hour litigation, further enhancing the capabilities in the firm’s growing practice area.
Szwarcsztejn provides comprehensive legal representation and advice to clients on a broad range of employment issues. His practice specializes in defending employers in individual, class, and representative actions, including wage and hour and PAGA claims, from initial stages through and including trial. Szwarcsztejn also has extensive experience litigating wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unfair competition, and trade secret claims. As a seasoned litigator, his track record of success includes multiple trial victories, defeats of class certification bids, summary judgments, and favorable early case resolutions.
“David’s deep knowledge and experience in labor and employment matters, particularly in litigating California wage and hour matters, including PAGA matters, will be invaluable to our practice,” said Brian Paul, Chair of Michael Best’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. “His expertise will enhance our ability to provide top-tier legal counsel to our clients, and his leadership will be instrumental in expanding our presence in the Los Angeles market and beyond.”
At Michael Best, Szwarcsztejn will also continue to serve as a trusted advisor to employers and management in all aspects of employment law, including discipline, discharge, leave and accommodation issues, workplace investigations, and compliance issues. David also conducts management training on employment practices and advises clients on drafting employee handbooks, employment policies, and employment agreements.
Szwarcsztejn’s trial experience includes bench and jury trials resulting in complete defense judgments in a statewide wage and hour class action, a multimillion-dollar corporate raiding lawsuit, and single plaintiff wrongful termination and unpaid wages actions. He has represented employers in both state and federal courts, private arbitration, and federal and state agency proceedings.
“David’s experience and strategic insights will be a tremendous asset to our Los Angeles office,” said Dan Offner, Managing Partner of Michael Best’s Los Angeles office and Head of Venture Best, California. “We look forward to working with David and leveraging his skills and knowledge to provide highly valued service to the California market and further expand our team here.”
Szwarcsztejn earned a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and a B.S. in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. He is admitted to practice in California and several federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.