James Walter Michalski

About James Walter Michalski

Mr. Michalski, a highly accomplished labor and employment defense attorney, boasts a wealth of experience exceeding 25 years, specializing in representing management in both California state and federal courts. Proficient in navigating complex, class action, and single-plaintiff cases, he has consistently delivered favorable outcomes as the lead counsel in numerous adversarial proceedings. This includes a diverse array of forums such as jury trials, bench trials, administrative hearings, and arbitrations.

His track record extends across various employment disputes, encompassing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, interference with contract and prospective economic advantage, Unruh Act violations, and unfair competition. Mr. Michalski has also successfully resolved numerous wage and hour class action cases, as well as cases involving California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims.

Mr. Michalski distinguishes himself not only by his effective litigation strategy but also by his commitment to efficiency, aiming to resolve matters favorably with minimal expense. Drawing from his experience as the Chief Legal Officer of a multi-state employer, he understands the significant disruption and financial strain litigation can impose on clients' businesses. As a result, he collaborates closely with clients to safeguard their interests, approaching challenges from a business owner's perspective rather than solely that of an external attorney. A core tenet of Mr. Michalski's practice is delivering exceptional value to clients. Beyond his prowess in adversarial proceedings, he provides regular counsel on daily employment law matters, crafting various employment-related documents. His expertise also extends to advising clients on corporate compliance and risk mitigation.