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Zak Franklin
also known as Zachary Joseph Franklin, Franklin Law
About Zak
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-50%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 11 years
State: California
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Location
Franklin Law
100 Wilshire Ave., Suite 700, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90401
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Zak Franklin's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
14 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (14)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
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 anonymous | May 19, 2022 | Employment & Labor
Zak is One-of-a-Kind
Zak consulted on my case inquiry with professionalism, patience, and candor. His knowledge is vast and his pragmatism precisely what I needed during an emotionally-turbulent time. He is fair, operates with integrity, and truly a pleasure to work with. Zak embodies humanness within the scope of 'human...
Posted by anonymous | January 03, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Thoughtful, in your corner lawyer
Zak did a great job thoroughly understanding the details of my case and carefully laying out the options in front of me that would give me the best chance of success. It was a tricky case because there were several parties involved and a lot of finger pointing, however ultimately his persistence and ...
Posted by Corey | November 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Trustworthy, pragmatic, efficient - a terrific employment lawyer
I have called on Zak when at the crossroads of some of the thorniest employment issues I have had to deal with as a general counsel. He listens intently, and I can tell he is always working to get a full view of the issues I am struggling with. He gives me a preliminary opinion, but always tells me h...
Zak Franklin's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
Michelle Strowhiro
Employment and labor lawyer
Joshua Glucoft
Patent infringement lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Pro Bono Associate of the Year, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Work Experience
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
Associations
2015 - 2018
California Association of Business Trial Lawyers
2012 - 2014
California Law Review
Sample of Legal Cases
Employee Harassed by Former Employer
Complete victory. Opposing side had to pay for client's costs.
Politician Harmed Clients
$10 million dollar victory
Education
2014
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall S
JD - Juris Doctor
2010
University of Colorado - Boulder
B.A.
Speaking Engagements
2020
2020 Legal Updates
Employment Law Updates
2019
Helpmates Legal Updates
Hot Topics in Employment Law
2018
Employment Law Updates
Employment Law Updates
Publications
2020
Portfolio Media (Law360)
Three Aspects of Executive Agreements That Need An Upgrade
2017
Daily Journal
Class Action Split Deepens
2017
Portfolio Media (Law360)
The Most Noteworthy Class Action Developments of 2017
2016
Portfolio Media (Law360)
Dole Decision May Spark More ‘All Natural’ Claims
2015
Animal Law Review
Giving Slaughterhouses Glass Walls
2014
2014
California Law Review
Editorial Staff
2013
Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law
Jones v. UPS Ground Freight
2013
California Law Review
Editorial Staff
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Was I fired in retaliation for reporting CA tax non-compliance to avoid paying my bonus/severance?
27 Feb 2026
Q&A
Is my SECRET Clearance in jeopardy?
25 Feb 2026
Q&A
Can my employer terminate me while I am on desability?
11 Feb 2026