Michael Mandel

Michael D. Mandel is a practical and versatile employment litigator and advisor who assists clients in navigating their most challenging employment-related issues. Michael has particular expertise in wage and hour matters and class, collective, and private attorney general representative actions. However, he represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law in federal and state trial and appellate courts.

While based in California, Michael represents employers in a variety of industries in class and collective actions, single and multi- plaintiff litigation, and administrative proceedings across the country, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. He also has significant experience defending against California Labor Code Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims.

Apart from his litigation practice, Michael also regularly provides pragmatic advice and counsel to his clients in areas such as employee terminations/discipline, wage and hour issues, and leaves of absence.

Following law school, Michael served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Ronald S.W. Lew of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Michael was named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine every year from 2013 to 2018.  Prior to that, Michael was named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.

EXPERIENCE :

• Defense of employee claims asserting wrongful termination, unlawful harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract.
• Drafting and advice on employment-related policies, employee handbooks, and employment contracts.
• Class and collective actions asserting misclassification and off-the-clock overtime and minimum wage violations, meal and rest periods violations, and related claims.
• Class actions challenging the terms and administration of bonus and incentive compensation plans.
• Representation in putative statewide private attorney general action alleging failure to provide suitable seating to employees. Resulted in court granting motion to dismiss with prejudice.
• Representation in putative statewide class action alleging that client’s background check policy was illegal. Resulted in court granting motion to dismiss with prejudice.

Education :

• Pepperdine University School of Law, JD, magna cum laude, Member, Pepperdine Law Review, 2001
• University of California, Irvine, BA, with Honors, 1997

Admissions :

• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Affiliations :

• Member, Labor and Employment Section, Litigation Section, California Lawyers Association
• Member, Labor and Employment Section, Litigation Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association