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also known as Zachary Joseph Franklin, Franklin Law
Zak's expertise is in employment disputes and advising, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, workplace accommodations, retaliation, meal and rest break violations, unpaid wages, and trade secrets. He also has substantial experience drafting and negotiating contracts, as well as litigating contract disputes.
Before founding Franklin Law, Zak worked at McDermott Will & Emery and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, two of the world's leading law firms, where he represented some of the country's largest corporations in a wide range of employment and contract matters.
A widely-published author, Zak's written works have appeared in a number of prestigious publications, including the California Law Review, the Berkeley Journal of Employment Law, Law360, the Daily Journal, and the Animal Law Review.
Zak graduated from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder where Zak graduated summa cum laude. During law school, Zak was a member of the California Law Review and worked for the Honorable Richard Seeborg, U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of California.
In addition to fighting for workers and advising business owners, Zak has also made pro bono work an important part of his practice, representing indigent individuals in immigration, wrongful death, sexual assault, and personal injury litigations.
Several of Zak's cases have received widespread media attention, including in the Los Angeles Times, the San Jose Mercury News, CBS News, CNBC, NBC, the UK Daily Mail, and the Hollywood Reporter.
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2014
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100 Wilshire Ave., Suite 700, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90401
14 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews
Posted by Chris | January 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Won My Employment/PAGA Lawsuit!
Zak took on my employment lawsuit (a PAGA case) on contingency and won me a nice settlement. I never even had to go to court or be deposed, just signed some paperwork and a year later got my check in the mail. Highly recommend!
Posted by Yunus | December 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Wasted my time and didn't help at all.
I had a disappointing experience with this lawyer. After over a month of waiting, I was informed that he could not assist with my case. To make matters worse, the email communicating this never reached me, and his assistant had to forward it. Unfortunately, this delay and lack of direct communication...
Posted by Jacquelyn | August 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Franklin Law Fought For Me
From my very first consultation, I felt like Zak and his team were going to take care of me. I knew nothing about the legal process going in, but Zak, Julie, and Carlen held my hand throughout the whole process. They were always available to answer my questions, and at moments where the legal process...
Posted by Sally | October 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability
So accommodating to clients with disabilities
As a client living with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, I have special needs that the average attorney may not be able to accommodate. That being said, Zak was so understanding and supportive throughout this process. I was hospitalized and on disability during my claim, but Zak navigated thes...
Posted by anonymous | June 28, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination
Incredible lawyer & mentor
As a young adult who was new into full-time work, I was indescribably lost when I began to face discrimination from an employer and lose wages. The legal world was completely unknown to me as someone in tech and I didn't have the slightest clue where to look first. A family member recommended Zak to ...
"Attorney Zak Franklin is very knowledgeable in the field of Employment and Labor law. He has provided informative answers and helpful advice to those who posted questions here on avvo.com."
"Zak is a very talented employment lawyer with great experience and pedigree. He fights hard for his clients and tends to get great results for them."
"I have worked with Zak on many complex litigation matters and I have always found Zak to be a strategic and creative thinker, a great writer, and a zealous and effective advocate for his clients. Zak is a great lawyer and I'm happy to endorse him."
"Zak is a brilliant attorney who is well versed in Employment matters. Zak's skillset makes him the ideal attorney to advise employers on day-to-day matters. Zak certainly has a breadth of experience that makes him an excellent choice to represent you or your company as either a plaintiff or defense attorney. I endorse Zak and I am confident you will be very happy you selected him to represent you in your action."
"I endorse this lawyer. Zak is a phenomenal attorney for both employees and small businesses who brings a unique perspective to his clients in that he has represented some of the largest corporations in the nation and is well-versed on what will move a case forward in order to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients, be it employees or small businesses."
"Zak is smart and strategic, and an all around great person. Exactly the qualities you want in your legal counsel."
"Zak is an excellent lawyer. He's intelligent, hard working, and a strong advocate for his clients. You can't go wrong with him in your corner."
Employment and labor lawyer
Patent infringement lawyer
2017
Pro Bono Associate of the Year, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
2020 - Present
Managing Attorney, Franklin Law
2018 - 2020
Attorney, McDermott Will & Emery
2014 - 2018
Attorney, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
2013 - 2013
Law Clerk, Judge Richard Seeborg
2015 - 2018
California Association of Business Trial Lawyers
2012 - 2014
California Law Review
Complete victory. Opposing side had to pay for client's costs.
$10 million dollar victory
2014
JD - Juris Doctor
2010
B.A.
2020
Employment Law Updates
2019
Hot Topics in Employment Law
2018
Employment Law Updates
2020
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English
Legal Answers
Was I fired in retaliation for reporting CA tax non-compliance to avoid paying my bonus/severance?
27 Feb 2026
Is my SECRET Clearance in jeopardy?
25 Feb 2026
Can my employer terminate me while I am on desability?
11 Feb 2026