David Reis chairs the firm's Labor and Employment practice group. He has been recognized repeatedly by California's largest legal newspaper, the Daily Journal, as one of the top employment attorneys in California (2010–2011, 2013–2023). In describing his broad experience in all facets of labor and employment law, the Daily Journal noted that "one day he'll find himself embroiled in a contentious arbitration and the next he'll find himself arguing before the state Supreme Court." An experienced trial lawyer, David has prevailed in numerous jury trials on behalf of employers, and dozens of arbitrations. He also has argued successfully before the California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
His cases include multi-plaintiff discrimination and wage and hour cases, as well as contract, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, equal pay, unfair competition, breach of non-compete obligations, fraud, defamation, ERISA, and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He also represents law firms, financial services firms and investment funds in employment, professional negligence and partner/member disputes, regularly counsels businesses concerning corporate governance matters, and represents executives in connection with employment and severance agreements, non-compete and non-solicitation obligations, and other employment-related or partnership-related documents.
David also conducts and supervises employer investigations to ensure compliance with federal and state laws. David has particular expertise regarding harassment and discrimination issues, having taught discrimination law at UC Law San Francisco for ten years, and serving as the Harassment chapter editor for the Rutter Group’s Employment Litigation practice guide for over 20 years. In response to the #MeToo movement, David testified as an expert before the California Legislature regarding possible changes to harassment laws, and his testimony led to the passage of new laws in 2019 to protect victims, witnesses, and employers who make or disclose harassment complaints.
David also has extensive experience handling traditional labor law matters adverse to labor unions, such as collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, NLRB and PERB proceedings, and organizing campaigns. He has negotiated more than 100 collective bargaining agreements and prevailed in more than 50 labor arbitrations.
Before becoming a lawyer, David was a pitcher in the Atlanta Braves' minor league farm system and for Stanford University's 1987 NCAA Championship team.
Experience
- AmLaw 200 firm in an Equal Pay Act class action alleging that the firm paid female associates and contract attorneys less than comparable males.
- Major Bay Area hospital in a wage and hour class action brought by a group of nurses.
- Oakland Raiders in a series of wage and hour class actions brought by the team's cheerleaders, the Raiderettes.
- International pilot leasing company in a wage and hour lawsuit brought by a class of flight engineers.
- Major commercial airline in a pattern or practice and disparate impact sex, age and disability discrimination class action brought on behalf of 20,000 flight attendants.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Columbia Law School, 1991, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- B.A., Stanford University, 1987, with distinction (graduated in three years)
Admissions
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Activities
- Member, State Bar of California
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Employment Discrimination, University of California, Hastings College of the Law (2001-2011)
- Contributing Editor, California Practice Guide: Employment Litigation (The Rutter Group) (Chapter 10, Harassment) (2000–present)