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David Wachtel has practiced employment law for individual employees in Washington, D.C. since 1993. Recently, he has been selected by colleagues as a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and by Law Dragon as one of the Top 500 Plaintiff's Employment Lawyers in the country.
Dave's work includes trial court and administrative litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has successfully represented employees with claims of race, sex, age, and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, violation of civil service rights, interference with FMLA rights, and retaliation on the basis of whistleblower activity in the nuclear, aviation, defense, and finance industries.
Dave offers individuals suffering job loss or workplace harassment individual attention, lean, versatile strategies, and a calming influence on (almost) every stressful situation.
Since joining Trister, Ross in February 2016, Dave has broadened his practice to advise dozens of non-profit organizations on all manner of employment law policy and compliance questions. He offers organizations an especially informed and experienced understanding of employment policy and how to achieve resolution of workplace disputes.
5
Practice Areas
33 years
33 years
33 years
33 years
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
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Chat withState: Maryland
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20009
34 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 16 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Lee | October 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Thoughtful, strategic and effective
I engaged David twice - once when higher-ups in the association for which I worked were attempting to force me out while I wanted to stay, and again when the same situation occurred years later, and I wanted out. Both times he reviewed the chronology, looked at all the angles, and gave excellent advi...
Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination
HIRE HIM!
Dave Wachtel has been my attorney for a long time. He is one of the smartest, toughest, and funniest lawyers you could find. I needed to find the best civil rights attorney to represent me in an EEO case against my employer and consulted with a friend who is a partner at well-respected firm tha...
Posted by anonymous | February 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
I felt fortunate to have him on my side!
A few years ago, I found myself in a complicated dispute with my employer, and it was not easy for me to secure legal representation. Most of the lawyers I consulted did not understand my case fully or else did not want to take my case given the amount of work involved and the still unpredictable out...
Posted by Steve Whiteley | January 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Job discrimination Nuclear power industry unjust discharge
David is very professional, extremely intelligent and an expert in employment law. My case was against nuclear power industry employer. David is knowledgeable in all aspects of it's many regulations and prior court rulings. David asks and respects your input while treating you with the upmost respect...
Posted by anonymous | August 10, 2015 | Employment & Labor
Fantastic Firm
David Wachtel is a very knowledgeable attorney and his professional shows in every aspect of his work. He stood by me during an OSHA case lasting 4 years. Always on the offensive, his efforts and that of his team kept me appraised of my AIR21 case as we methodically moved through each level of the ca...
"I worked with Dave for several years and endorse him wholeheartedly. He treats each client as the unique person they are, and crafts his strategy and approach to match the client's unique needs and the specific facts of the employment problem."
"I worked with Dave for more than 10 years and have known him for 30. He is smart, honest, well versed in the law and dedicated to protecting employee rights"
"I endorse Dave Wachtel without reservation. He is an unusual lawyer insofar as he combines extreme intelligence, practical know-how and savvy, deep commitment to his clients, and remarkable efficiency. It is rare and invaluable to find a lawyer like him."
"David and I have both worked together and been opposing counsel. When I have a tough employment law issue I need to discuss, I call David. David is smart, tough, and hardworking. He gives his all for his clients. David is primarily an employee-side attorney, but also benefits from his representation of some management-side clients. David is my top choice for employment law referrals in the DC area. I endorse this lawyer."
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
2020
Law Dragon, One of the 500 top employment lawyers for employees in the United States
2020
Top Lawyer -- Employment Law, Washingtonian Magazine
2018
500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, Lawdragon
2017
Admitted to CLEL, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (CLEL)
2017
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Superlawyers
2016
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Superlawyers
2016
Civil Rights, Employment, Best Lawyers
2015
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers
2015
Client's Choice, Avvo
2015
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Superlawyers
2014
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Super Lawyers
2013
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Super Lawyers
2013
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Super Lawyers
2011
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Super Lawyers
2011
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Super Lawyers
2010
Civil Rights, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Civil Righs, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Best Civil Rights and Employment Lawyers in Washington, Washingtonian Magazine
2007
Best Civil Rights Lawyers in Washington, Washingtonian Magazine
2004
Best civil rights attorneys in Washington, Washingtonian Magazine
1989
Outstanding Notes Editor, Texas Law Review
1988
Outstanding Research, Texas Law Review
2016 - Present
Partner, Trister, Ross, Schadler & Gold, PLLC
2005 - 2016
Partner, Bernabei & Wachtel, PLLC
1993 - 2005
Member, Rose & Rose, PC
1992 - 1993
Associate, Weinberg, Bergeson & Newman
1989 - 1991
Associate, O'Melveny & Myers, LLP
1997 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
1996 - Present
Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
1990 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
Final Agency Decision found discrimination and retaliation on all counts and awarded promotion, damages, and fees
After trial, awarding promotion, back pay, and attorney’s fees
Employer's partial motion to dismiss denied. Case has been resolved.
The DC Circuit vacated summary judgment.
Ruling for the Employee
EEOC, on appeal, ruled for my client
1989
JD - Juris Doctor with honors
1984
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2015
Addressing Smart Technology: Ethical and Evidentiary Issues
2014
Sexual Orientation and Identity in Employment Law
2014
Smart Phone Discovery, Privacy, and Practice -- a Braver Newish World
2012
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Drones and Privacy
2012
Litigating a Civil Case -- Summary Judgment and Pretrial Issues
2012
Summary Judgment Motions and Pretrial Issues
2011
2005
Age Discrimination--Supreme Court Spurs New Litigation
2011
2009
2007
2006
1999
1999
1998
English