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David Thomas Mara

Employment and labor Attorney at San Diego, CA

4.7   14 reviews
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
  • Licensed for 19 years
    State CA
    Acquired 2004
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About David

Learn David’s areas of practice.

1
Practice area
  1. Employment and labor
    100%
    Unpaid Wages Attorney- California Minimum Wage- California Overtime Attorneys- California Rest Breaks Attorney- Work-Related Cost Reimbursement- Unpaid Vacation Pay-

HAVE YOUR EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BEEN VIOLATED?

David Mara is the founding member and president of Mara Law Firm, PC. Mr. Mara has devoted his many years of practice to representing employees in all aspects of California wage and hour law, including, but not limited to, class representation of employees seeking unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, unfair business practices, and meal and rest period violations. Mr. Mara also specializes in representing injured civilians working abroad pursuant to a U.S. defense contract. Over the course of his career, Mr. Mara has obtained tens of millions of dollars on behalf of California and Defense Base Act workers.

A long-standing member of Consumer Attorneys of California, Mr. Mara is on the shortlist of lawyers the organization selects in California to author briefs in support of workers in California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. Mr. Mara was co-counsel in the seminal California Supreme Court decision, Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court, in which the Court articulated the standards on employee entitlements to and employer obligations for providing meal and rest breaks in California and the availability of class action treatment for those claims. In addition to his trial and appellate work on behalf of California workers, Mr. Mara is also on the cutting edge of shaping California laws, as he is frequently asked to review and offer counter proposals to laws affecting California workers proposed in the California legislature and Congress.

Awards

Client's Choice 2017
Client's Choice
2017

Contact David

Mara Law Firm PC
2650 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 302
San Diego, CA, 92108

Reviews

4.7 / 5.0
  14 customer reviews
5 Star
 
93%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
7%
Client's Choice 2017
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by Mike | April 26, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Honest, Trustworthy and Dave's a GREAT Lawyer
An honest and trustworthy lawyer. He's straight-up. He'll tell you exactly which way the wind's blowing. And on top of all that, the guy is simply a Great Lawyer. You can't go wrong with Dave Mara. If he'll take your case, you're blessed. He's the one! By the way, that's the one problem with Dave....he only takes really good cases. So, just hope he takes your case. I was soooo lucky he took my case.
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Posted by monique | April 12, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Amazing Attorney and Law Firm!
Dave exceeded my expectations. He is an incredible attorney. I had issues with my previous employer, and I was not sure if Mara Law Firm would be able to represent me. From the start to the finish, they were always honest, kept me in the loop, and always had my best interest in settling the case. I highly recommend the Mara Law Firm. I still cannot believe my case is settled and finally over with, all thanks to Dave and the rest of the amazing staff.
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Posted by anonymous | September 23, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
They got me paid and they’re friendly at the same time
A few years ago a group action lawsuit was filed against my old employer, and they was a case filed against my old company, Mara law firm got me paid a reasonable amount and they’re always friendly and pleasant when you call to get updates from, them I can’t say that about other law firms, ask for Lisa trust me you won’t be disappointed.
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Posted by anonymous | May 3, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Stop. You Do Not Need A Lawyer.
Right? That's what my friends said and that's what my insurance company wanted me to believe...so I did. They said, "Mr. Johnson please meet with our Claims Investigator." ...so I did. Mr. Johnson meet with your new Nurse Case Manager...so I did. Mr. Johnson please provide all the information we have requested...so I did. I was a 100% team player trying to get treatment and get back to work. I noticed one thing; however, as time passed. I noticed anytime I had a small question or needed help my insurance company was TOTALLY non-responsive. No matter how big the emergency I could not get them on the phone. After that I started to get small "Red Lights" that suggested I might need to seek representation. It was around that time my insurance company started to delay my treatment. My insurance company also started to question my injury. I had suffered a back injury in Afghanistan. I was flown out of Afghanistan and placed on a one week medical hold in Dubai where the doctor recommended emergency surgery. After all this I was being questioned as to the validity of my injury? I knew I needed an attorney. Maybe you're like me and don't think you really need an attorney. Maybe like me you really like your insurance claims adjuster, your nurse case manager, and the other insurance people working with you. Rather you say fortunately or unfortunately I was simply in too much pain to go back and forth with my insurance company so I had to get an attorney. Thank God for that decision. The web the insurance company weaves paving the way for your loss is almost epic. You could use the word insurmountable. I have know several people who choose to continue with their claims without an attorney and the Psychological, Physical, and Financial burdens they bear will be long felt. ...mostly the Financial. If I knew then what I knew now I would have had an attorney assisting me the second I was injured. I remember screaming at a dear friend of mine saying, "WHY WON'T THE INSURANCE COVER MY TREATMENT!" He said, "...because they know if they do it will increase your settlement." I said, "WHAT SETTLEMENT! I JUST WANT TO GET TREATMENT! I DIDN'T ASK FOR A SETTLEMENT!" Somewhere I found out that for some insurance companies they are more concerned with protecting their money. This means you are thinking about treatment and getting better while they are thinking about money. Get someone that is on your side that will fight for you. They fought for me...and won.
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Posted by Scott | April 18, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Case solved quick
He represented myself and many old CO-workweek they were very professional & I’d recommend them to anyone . Great Lawyers for the forgotten working Man.
Posted by anonymous | December 20, 2017
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
One of the best attorneys
I would definitely recommend David and really appreciated all the hard work he contributed. David really went the extra mile to help his customers. We were very happy and satisfied with his services. Thank you David!
Posted by Albert | April 21, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommended
Mr. Mara was a pleasure to work with. He kept me in the loop. Can't say enough how good it feels to have someone fighting for you, giving you a voice .
Posted by Jerome Harris | April 17, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Defense Base Act Claim (DBA)
I was blown away by the results my case got. It far rxcerding my expectations. No only do you get someone who is a great professional; but he will fight for what you deserve. I was uncertain in the beginning; now I'm a believer. Mr. Mara is also personable. Lisa his paralegal was tremendous throughout the whole process. She would keep me updated on the whole process. Don't cheat yourself by using anyone else; you will be taken care of the right way if you choose Dave
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Posted by Sally A Chand | March 29, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Claim for DBA Benefits
Mr. Mara and the Turley Law Firm helped me file a claim for death benefits on behalf of my late husband. I was very pleased with his knowledge, research, and representation regarding my DBA claim for death benefits. I would absolutely recommend the Turley Law Firm and its associates to my friends, family, and others needing an attorney who specializes in employment, personal injury, and death benefits. Mr. Mara was very compassionate, timely, and responsive to my family's needs. I can't thank him enough.
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Posted by Jim Joned | January 4, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent advice
Dave Mara and the Turley law firm did an outstanding job on my DBA case. Dave I personally want to thank you for guiding me in the right direction and having a successful case outcome. God bless you for all the effort you put into my DBA case. Words can't describe how thankful I am. Thank you for helping injured over seas contractors.
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Posted by Wendell | December 29, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
My best interest's in mind
I looked long and hard to find an Attorney to represent me in my DBA case. Once I found the Turley Law group, and Dave Mara was assigned my case, I couldn't havce been happier. From the start Mr. Mara always told me the truth, and what to expect going forward with my case. I always felt like he had my best interests in mind, and was doing what was best for me and my family.
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Posted by Deb | October 25, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding Service
Mr. Mara and his staff were very professional and I would highly recommend The Turley Law Firm and Mr. Mara. Mr. Mara had my best interests in settling my case and I am very appreciative of all he and his staff did for me. If I ever needed help or had simple questions, Mr. Mara and his staff were always available to take my calls and help me. Highly recommend this firm!
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Posted by LindaD | September 6, 2012
Honest and efficient
Dave Mara at the Turley Law Firm comes with a very high recommendation. He took a workmans compensation case for me and really handled it well. It was an unclear case, and a new issue that the WC most likely had never seen. He kept me up to date with the long confusing process and was very understanding and sympathetic to my plight( I was the victim of a violent crime). Dave has no big lawyer shenanigans and dramatic posing, he is a down to earth, fair , honest hard working lawyer who really does not seem like an an attorney at all. Maribel and Jasmine, the gals in the office, are really on top of things, and also ver y friendly. I recommend anyone in the SD area to consult with Dave at Turley Law Firm, it was a painless process.
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Posted by Isaiah | May 12, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
You may want to look at other firms also...
I am giving them 2-stars, only because a former co-worker of mine, did have a great experience with the firm, but my personal experience is definitely unratable, it is so terrible. I say is, because I'm still technically being represented by the firm, going on 4 years now. In those 4 years, my lawyer has only reached out to me 5 times. I have not heard from my lawyer at all this year (2023). Yet, I have received three letters from DOL, with one setting up a video conference and my lawyer (Grace) nor her paralegal has reached out. I got a letter in April explaining they denied my claim because no evidence was submitted and no one has reached out to explain that or notify me either. I reached out to David Mara and again no response. Here is my best advice for anyone that's thinking about using this firm. First, check elsewhere, because I had other co-workers that used other firms and got better results. However, my former coworker, that did have a great outcome using Mara, had a lawyer (Taylor) that was very engaged, along with his paralegal. They were so good, that I found information out from my coworker about things he was told from his lawyer, that I never got from my lawyer. Needless to say, my coworker case was settled in a little over a year and my case is still ongoing 4 years later. If you decide to go with this firm and you have been assigned a lawyer. If your lawyer does not communicate with you regularly, please either request another lawyer be assigned you case or seek another law firm. I know at least 5 co-workers that has used this firm. Three of us are having or had very bad experiences, however two (both assigned to Taylor), had and one is having a really good experience. If you are currently using them, the best way to gauge how your experience is going to be, would be the level of communication you are receiving from you lawyer and paralegal. Unfortunately, if you were assigned Grace and Stephanie, good luck, because they are very bad at communicating and I asked her to just reach out once a month to let me know how things are going, and she could not honor that request. I hope this helps someone.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.2 (Excellent)

Education

  • California Western School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2003
  • San Diego State University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2000

Associations

  • Consumer Attorneys of California
  • Amicus Committee Member
  • 2020 - Present
  • San Diego Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2019 - Present
  • California Employment Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • 2019 - Present
  • Consumer Attorneys of California
  • Member
  • 2007 - Present
  • Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • American Association for Justice
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Excellence Recognition
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2023
  • Excellence Recognition
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2022
  • Excellence Recognition
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2021
  • Excellence Recognition
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2020
  • Excellence Recognition
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2019
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • AB 5 and the Future of Independent Contractors in California
  • AB 5 Webinar - Misclassification in the Workplace
  • 2020

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (5)
Endorse David
Employment and labor Attorney | Apr 14
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"You want an attorney that actually cares and knows employment law and wage and hour class actions better than anyone? Dave should be your first call whether you need representation or someone to team up with."
Employment and labor Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"I endorse this lawyer. Dave is always at the forefront of the endlessly evolving twists and turns of California employment law. This, coupled with his considerable experience, is undeniably reflected in his tireless dedication to his firm and his clients."
Employment and labor Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer 100%! I have worked with David and his firm, watched him in depositions and in court . David is tenacious, committed and driven to get the best result for his clients. I appreciate his counsel when I get a complex matter or need general advice. There is no better advocate."
Class action Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"I endorse this lawyer. David is one of the best lawyers for wage and hour class actions in California. He is extremely knowledgable on the law. He works hard to ensure his clients get the best results possible. His hard work and dedication to his clients and his practice set him apart from other lawyers."
Car accident
Employment and labor
Personal injury
Employment and labor
Employment and labor
San Diego Employment and labor Lawyer David Thomas Mara
David Thomas Mara
Employment and labor Attorney
San Diego, CA
Licensed for 19 years
Free Consultation
Virtual consultation available