Michele M. Goldsmith

A named Shareholder of BDG, Michele M. Goldsmith has been practicing law in California for over 23 years.  A seasoned litigator and trial attorney, Michele has represented public entities and medium to large businesses in complex labor and employment and tort related litigation matters.  Her extensive labor and employment experience includes litigating claims brought pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code § 12940 et seq.); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq., the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”); the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”); the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), as amended by the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (“OWBPA”); the Rehabilitation Act; the California Labor Code; the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”); the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”); the California Business and Professions Code; and other claims for violation of statute or common law.

Michele has represented her public and private clients before the California Superior Courts, California Courts of Appeal, Public Employment Relations Board, the California Labor Commission, and the Commission on Professional Competence of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Michele is also experienced in representing public agency management in labor negotiations and in providing client seminars on employment and human resources topics, as well as in risk management and the prevention of legal claims.  For example, Michele has continuously and regularly represented a charter city in southern California since 2007 in a broad range of matters, including appearing before administrative bodies, handling labor and employment litigation, advising the client’s city council, and appearing at closed and open sessions.

Michele is also experienced in the performance of workplace investigation, specifically when employees claim discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace.  Michele has performed employment related investigations for both public and private entities.

Michele is a regular lecturer, speaking to attorneys, clients, and professional associations on various issues regarding labor and employment practices, including wage and hour, discrimination, and harassment issues, and ethics as applicable to public officials.