Dominic Valerian

Dominic Valerian

5.0
Rating: 9.2

Licensed for 20 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at San Francisco, CA
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, Consumer Protection

100 Pine St., Suite 1250, San Francisco, CA

About Dominic

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor 55%

We help workers experiencing illegal work situations -- such as wage theft, unequal pay, unsafe workplaces, retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful termination.

13 years

55%
Consumer Protection 45%

We help victims of false advertising, broken promises, unfair business practices, privacy violations, and other statutory violations recover fair compensation and stop corporate wrongdoing.

19 years

45%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

40%-40%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 20 years

State: California

Acquired: 2005

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2011

Location

Gallo LLP

100 Pine St., Suite 1250, San Francisco, CA, 94111

Gallo LLP

1123 Camelia St., Berkeley, CA, 94702

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Dominic Valerian's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Chris | March 27, 2025 | Employment & Labor

Above and beyond!

Dominic is extremely responsive, thorough, and detail-oriented. He not only demonstrated an impressive ability to generate creative solutions, but he could navigate intricate mathematical formulas, calculating what I could be owed by my former employer. Dominic provided an honest and comprehensive... evaluation of my case, carefully outlining its strengths and weaknesses to empower me to make an informed decision. He also took the time to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and accessible way, ensuring that I fully understood the process. I feel like he genuinely cares about what is best for me. So, I highly recommend Dominic for his exceptional legal expertise and care for clients!

Posted by anonymous | September 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Professional, Fair, and Effective

Mr. Valerian and his firm went above and beyond for my case. He is very approachable and replies in an expedient manner. At the beginning of our correspondence he provided a trove of acutely pertinent case studies at my request, which was the initial indication that I could expect methodical expert a...ssistance moving forward with his firm. This was quickly proven to be an understatement as Valerian law delivered a stern and efficacious demand letter to the defendant. Mr. Valerian knew exactly what steps to take following his initial survey of my predicament. After far less hassle than I had anticipated would be required to resolve my case prior to contacting Mr. Valerian, I was made whole from the losses suffered that had necessitated legal assistance. Fortunately I was not on the receiving end of Mr. Valerian's austere exchanges so I was able to enjoy his pleasant civility. I highly recommend the services of Valerian law to those who want an attorney with rich acumen, and who won't settle for a mere technician by another name.

Posted by anonymous | November 02, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Highly recommend!

Dominic represented me in a complex litigation process against a former employer for unpaid wages. Throughout the entire process, Dominic was professional, knowledgeable and kind. He and his team worked tirelessly to pursue my case and we ultimately reached a favorable outcome. He has a deep knowledg...e of the litigation process and was able to build out an expert strategy. He and his team fought hard for my case. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him and would highly recommend him.

Posted by Mandy | September 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Debt Collection

Highly Recommended!

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Valerian to litigate an unfair debt collection lawsuit. Mr. Valerian was responsive in the form of continuous updates on my case via email and phone calls. He was available after hours to answer any questions or concerns that I had regarding my case. He respecte...d my privacy and only requested what was needed to litigate in a professional manner. His tactics for seeking the truth were persistent, and commendable. I am happy to say the case settled fairly. This could not have been accomplished without Mr. Valerian’s hard work and dedication. I highly recommend him as an attorney if you are looking for a high standard of counsel for your situation.

Posted by Natalie | July 23, 2014 | Class Action

Great Attorney

Dominic and I became friends when he was in law school in L.A. After his move up north we would randomly catch up about once a year. One call being the most important because Dominic had given me the knowledge that he could assist me on a class action lawsuit that I was unaware of. Dominic was ver...y informative and professional during the whole process. Even after me moving back to my hometown in Texas at the start of the process, Dominic kept me up to date every step of the way. I was very impressed with his research and the time he took with my case, which he ultimately won. I've always thought of Dominic as a good-hearted, respectful, and hard working man. The experience shows that he has truly found a fitting career, and he has become a great attorney.

See All Client Reviews

Dominic Valerian's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dominic
Alexander Jacob Darr headshot
Alexander Darr

Unknown lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've enjoyed working with Dominic on a number of class action matters. Every time, I have been impressed by Dominic's extensive knowledge of, and appreciation for, the "little things" required for optimal litigation outcomes. He has an excellent understanding of all of the moving parts of litigation, and it allows him to strategize and plan the best case. Dominic's deep understanding of all parts of the litigation process allow him to stay in command and control of the litigation to maximize success for the clients. When I work with Dominic, I know I'm working with someone who can get the job done."

Xinying Valerian headshot
Xinying Valerian

Litigation lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Family member

"I am both Dominic's wife and his co-counsel on a wage-and-hour class action. He is a smart, conscientious and loyal advocate for his clients, and a good, down-to-earth person."

Joshua Adam Fields headshot
Joshua Fields

Class action lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked together with Dominic as co-counsel on consumer class action and complex litigation matters for many years, and from this experience have learned that he is an exceptional attorney. He is not only a vigorous advocate for his clients, but his skills at legal brief writing and at oral argument before courts are of the highest quality. It has also become clear to me over the years that he maintains the highest ethical standards in his practice, and I would recommend him for any litigation matter without hesitation."

Ray Edwin Gallo headshot
Ray Gallo

Litigation lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Dominic is an excellent lawyer. I have worked with him extensively and over a significant period of time. He is likable, smart, focused, tenacious, poised, persuasive, careful, and highly ethical."

Richard Carl Valerian headshot
Richard Valerian

Class action lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Family member

"I endorse Dominic both as a son and as an attorney. He has an excellent grasp of issues and is an exceptional problem solver. Starting at the age of 5 Dominic attended as an observer many of my settlement conferences, arbitrations, depositions, mediations and trials. We have worked together on a number of matters, the most significant of which was an auto accident case representing Latrell Sprewell, a professional basketball player once the 48th highest paid athlete in the world. Dominic , not yet an attorney, assisted my deposition and trial preparation. Mr. Sprewell was being sued for 3.5 million. Thanks in no small part to Dom's help in obtaining Mr. Sprewell's cooperation both in his Milwaukee deposition and during a 10 day jury trial in Contra Costa Superior Court, Mr. Sprewell obtained a favorable verdict of $104,000 which was significantly reduced as a result of plaintiffs refusal of a 998 offer for $105,000."

Greg R Groeneveld headshot
Greg Groeneveld

Employment and labor lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I know Dominic well both socially and professionally. He is a solid lawyer and knows employment and wage and hour law along with procedure. He is also very competitive with a drive to win which helps his clients immensely."

View All Endorsements
James Mark Moore headshot
James Moore

Litigation lawyer

Alexander Jacob Darr headshot
Alexander Darr

Consumer protection lawyer

Robert Charles Cheasty headshot
Robert Cheasty

Personal injury lawyer

Andrew Stuart Cowan headshot
Andrew Cowan

Litigation lawyer

Ray Edwin Gallo headshot
Ray Gallo

Consumer protection lawyer

Xinying Valerian headshot
Xinying Valerian

Employment and labor lawyer

Patricia Ann Lewis headshot
Patricia Lewis

Education lawyer

Frank James Polek headshot
Frank Polek

Class action lawyer

Joshua Adam Fields headshot
Joshua Fields

Class action lawyer

Greg R Groeneveld headshot
Greg Groeneveld

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.2 (Superb)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2011.

Public reproval with/duties issued in CA, 2011

updated on 08/03/2021

A censure or reprimand issued by the Supreme Court or the State Bar Court that is not a matter of public record unless imposed after the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings. No period of suspension is imposed. The reproval may be imposed with duties or conditions.

Dominic’s comment:

“This did not arise from my work as an attorney. It resulted from a weekend recreational event that occurred more than 10 years ago where I was wrestling with my brother and had an unfortunate run in with a police officer. See http://members.calbar.ca.gov/courtDocs/10-C-08182-2.pdf for details.”

Honors

2021

Top 10 Labor & Employment Settlements in California in 2020, TopVerdict

2014

Client's Choice, Avvo

Work Experience

2023 - Present

Partner, Gallo LLP

2020 - 2023

Partner, Valerian Law, P.C.

2009 - 2019

Partner, Gallo LLP

2005 - 2009

Associate, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP

Associations

2021 - Present

California Employment Lawyers Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Kozacenko v. Murrill

Settled at mediation for $1.75 million

Daniels v. Compex Legal Servs.

Judgment for Defendant after court sustained demurrer without leave to amend.

Vasquez v. California School of Culinary Arts

Settlement

Bottoni v. Sallie Mae

Settled for estimated $76 million in debt relief and approximately $1 million in refunds.

Amador v. California Culinary Academy

Settled for $40 million.

Zimmerman v. Big 5 Sporting Goods

Judgment for Defendant after court sustained demurrers to all causes of actions.

Huber v. San Diego Ballpark Funding

Pending Class Settlement

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

University of Southern California Law School

J.D.

2002

University of California - Davis

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Consumer Rights Litigation Conference

Arbitrating Against For-Profit Schools

2010

MCLE Presentation

Truth and Advocacy In Year 2010

2008

Panel Discussion on Law Firm Pro Bono Programs

Pro Bono Litigation

Publications

2007

Securities Reform Act Litigation Reporter and Bank and Corporate Governance Law Reporter Delaware Quarterly: Recent Developments in Delaware Business and Securities Law

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2011
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution