David Wachtel

I do not have enough words to describe the type of top notch lawyer Dave is, if he takes your case. I was in the unfortunate situation of facing consistent and cruel retaliation for having complained of discrimination. Someone told me Dave was the best lawyer I could get. I went through intense tr...auma, panic attacks, sleepless nights, and was even diagnosed as a result, with PTSD. I felt trapped. Stuck. My situation at times felt hopeless. Throughout this agony, Dave never failed to believe in me. He supported me. He also wrote the best briefs, researched the laws, updated what needed to be updated. He gave me hope when I had lost all hope. He went beyond the call of duty and even once, shortened his vacation to deal with a matter in my case. In the end, just as the agency was once again trying to terminate me wrongly, under the most adverse conditions for me, when I was literally at the end of my rope, Dave calmly and very smoothly, negotiated a miraculous settlement for me, identified future needs even I did not know I would have, which allowed me to leave under the utmost favorable conditions, regain my health, and start afresh somewhere else. Dave saved my life. If he takes your case, consider that you won the lottery. One way or the other, Dave will come through for you. You cannot find a better attorney: compassionate, calm with his client, knowledgeable about the law, supportive, and calmly aggressive with the other side when it comes to his client’s interests. The minute he steps, you finally get respect. I cannot recommend Dave enough.

Dave is extremely smart, responsive, has a good sense of humor, and a good bedside manner dealing with people that, by definition, have had something bad happen to them. He's never condescending, actively solicited my input, and has an amazing way with words when negotiating with my ex-employer to... achieve a just solution (for both parties) while politely laying out various bad scenarios that will occur without a just resolution. I felt afterwards that I achieved the best possible resolution, that we didn't leave a penny on the table, and we avoided a messy lawsuit. In my opinion, Dave Wachtel is a rock star and my ex-employer had to be impressed by his stature, his ability, and this positively impacted the end result. Hiring Dave Wachtel tells your ex-employer that you mean business, and he gives you the best chance to quickly achieve a fair solution for the employee without unnecessarily antagonizing the employer. It's a small world. Finally, Dave is fair with his billing, he's definitely not inflating his billable hours, he's a good human being.

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...t represents the employer in discrimination cases. Without hesitation, my friend recommended Dave Wachtel and stated he is one of the best discrimination attorneys in this country and one he wouldn’t want to be the opposing counsel for. Best advice I have ever received. My case involved claims of sexual harassment, retaliation and hostile work environment at a Federal law enforcement agency. We won a Final Agency Decision on all claims and during subsequent settlement discussions Dave’s negotiation skills and experience resulted in a very successful settlement that far exceeded my expectations and even my employer stated I had a great attorney. Dave is everything you need and want in a discrimination attorney: experienced, brilliant, responsive, genuine, dedicated, manages expectations, patient, and most importantly, he has a sense of humor and is witty. Navigating through the EEO process is difficult and taxing and there is only one attorney you want navigating that ship through the storm and that is Dave.

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...come. My prospects looked bleak, and I was scared and worried. Fortunately, I ended up in the most capable hands of David Wachtel. He took over my complex case in the midst of the ongoing mediation process. This would have been a challenge for any attorney, particularly for the busy lawyer that Dave Wachtel is, juggling multiple clients and cases. But he quickly understood the facts of my case, cutting through the employer’s arguments and identifying the most important legal precedents to strengthen our negotiating position. It became clear that we would settle this case well, and so we did, to my satisfaction. I am not sure we would have settled so well if it had not been for Dave Wachtel’s persuasive skills and creative arguments. David Wachtel represents his clients with honesty, integrity, and dedication. He will not tell you that you have a good argument if you don’t. But he will have patience if you need time to come to terms with some difficult points, and he will carefully guide you while you take in his views on the matter based on his realistic assessments grounded in his long experience as an employment and civil rights attorney. Responsive and conscientious, he has always found time to get back to me, responding to my mails late at night, on weekends and holidays, and during his trips, especially if the matter was urgent. I highly recommend David Wachtel for any type of employment dispute and even beyond. He is knowledgeable, talented, absolutely brilliant, and deeply committed to the cause of his clients. I feel fortunate to have had this excellent, compassionate attorney on my side in the difficult situation, and I am happy with the outcome.

Initially had Consult w/Mr. Wachtel to review my situation and the pros/cons of hiring legal council or working through situation. Mr. Wachtel after hearing the issues, suggested I stand pat as the situation evolved to see if what was stated by employer would in fact occur. As time passed and employe...r became more and more out of communication, I thought my best strategy in dealing ww situation was to hire legal representation. Mr. Wachtel took my issue, did continual research, not stopping w just scratching the surface and used this information to better educate me as well as not allow my employer to throw its' weight Mr. Wachtel and I met several times reviewing my current situation and what I was led to believe would occur. He brought me to realize, as the saying goes, there are "thrre sides to every story" Mr. Wachtel took over ALL communications w/employer and basically "drove the ship." In the end, approximately seven [7] months transpired before ties w/employer were completely severed. During this period Mr. Wachtel was successful in negotiating, as we both agreed, an arrangement that was acceptable. He did not make any decisions w/o first checking back w/me to explain and develop responses which were fair and reasonable. In the end, while I came seeking advice to a situation in which I saw things through "rosey glasses" I was quickly made aware, my employer had a different set of these proverbial glasses and as such either I needed to see my ophthalmologist or I was going to have blurry vision for a long time. Mr. Wachtel was excellent in what he did for me - he was personable, friendly, attentive and very understanding - for this as well as the outcome, I am very appreciative and would recommend him highly.