David S.Baffa
Partner
Labor & Employment
dbaffa@seyfarth.com
David focuses on change management and the delivery of proactive solutions that help clients avoid mass litigation and develop internal compliance initiatives.
More About David
David has broad-based employment litigation and traditional labor experience. He handles federal and state employment litigation, including cases involving allegations of sex, race, and national origin discrimination, age discrimination and Older Worker Benefit Protection Act violations, pay discrimination claims, sex harassment issues, failure to accommodate and disability discrimination claims, breach-of-contract and employment-at-will lawsuits, and wrongful discharge disputes. He also has experience managing administrative agency investigations, including systemic initiative, pattern-and-practice and disparate impact claims involving unequal pay, hiring and pre-employment testing, background checking, promotion, and reasonable accommodation processes. David also has experience litigating labor arbitration cases, conducting election campaigns, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and handling proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.
David draws upon his litigation experience to drive the management of routine employment litigation, promote teamwork and the sharing of best practices, and stay abreast of employment law substantive and procedural developments. He is an early adopter of Lean Six Sigma for legal service delivery and it continues to inform his approach to delivering increased value and excellence to clients.
David has assisted numerous clients with business restructuring and workforce reductions, led the centralization and process-mapping of leave of absence and disability accommodation management, conducted large pay equity, exempt-status and pay practice assessments, and developed tools and systems for assessing employee engagement, reviewing hiring processes, ensuring pay equity, and analyzing independent contractor and other alternative worker arrangements. David has also conducted extensive employee and management training through Seyfarth At Work, including leave management training, anti-harassment training, and positive employment relations training.
Each year since 2009, David has been listed by Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) as one of six "Leading Lawyers" in the United States in the area of Workplace and Employment Law Counseling. In 2017, he was one of only 500 lawyers in all disciplines across the country inducted into the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” (Legalese Ltd.), in recognition of his consistent praise received by clients and his more than eight years listed as a Leading Lawyer.
David draws upon his litigation experience to drive the management of routine employment litigation, promote teamwork and the sharing of best practices, and stay abreast of employment law substantive and procedural developments. He is an early adopter of Lean Six Sigma for legal service delivery and it continues to inform his approach to delivering increased value and excellence to clients.
David has assisted numerous clients with business restructuring and workforce reductions, led the centralization and process-mapping of leave of absence and disability accommodation management, conducted large pay equity, exempt-status and pay practice assessments, and developed tools and systems for assessing employee engagement, reviewing hiring processes, ensuring pay equity, and analyzing independent contractor and other alternative worker arrangements. David has also conducted extensive employee and management training through Seyfarth At Work, including leave management training, anti-harassment training, and positive employment relations training.
Each year since 2009, David has been listed by Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) as one of six "Leading Lawyers" in the United States in the area of Workplace and Employment Law Counseling. In 2017, he was one of only 500 lawyers in all disciplines across the country inducted into the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” (Legalese Ltd.), in recognition of his consistent praise received by clients and his more than eight years listed as a Leading Lawyer.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- AB, Princeton University
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Related Services
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Discipline & Performance Management
- Diversity & Inclusion Practice
- Employee Relations & Cultural Assessments
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Government Relations & Policy
- Handbooks & Policy Development
- Independent Worker Strategies
- Labor Management Relations
- Leaves of Absence Management and Accommodations
- OFCCP & Affirmative Action Compliance
- Pay Equity
- People Analytics
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Remote Workforces
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Termination Counseling
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Workplace Arbitration & ADR
- Workplace Crisis Response & Investigations
- Workplace Training
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
12/02/2024
Dave Baffa Discusses RIF Compliance with Anti-Discrimination Laws in SHRM
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Webinar
Jun 20, 2024
Webinar Recording: Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs
-
Recognition
06/12/2024
Seyfarth Earns Top Tier Rankings Again in The Legal 500
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2018-2025); Labor Law - Management (2020-2023)
- Recognized in International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2024)
- Recognized as a "Hall of Fame Lawyer" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020-2021, 2023-2024)
- Recognized as a "Leading Lawyer" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019, 2023, 2024)
- Recognized as a "Recommended Attorney" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019-2021)
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Princeton Club of Chicago
- Co-Presenter, “Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Congress Amends the Federal Arbitration Act and Bans Arbitration Agreements Covering Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OSHA Issues ETS for Public Inspection with January 4, 2022 Vaccination Deadline," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 4, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Path Out of the Pandemic - Implications for Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2021)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Employer Trends Survey Results – Morale, Productivity, and Working Methods," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How CARES Affects Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Newly Enacted Workplace Transparency Act To Change Illinois Employment Law Landscape," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 27, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Half Baked: Illinois Legislature Includes Some Employer Protections in New Recreational Cannabis Law – But Beware the Traps," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 13, 2019)
- Co-Author, "A Class Waiver Can Be A Condition of Employment," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Will the Supreme Court Finally Remove Doubt That an Employer Can Mandate That Employees Enter into Arbitration Agreements with Class Waivers?," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 25, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Supreme Court Agrees to Rule on Legality of Class Action Waivers,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 13, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Fifth Circuit Sets Aside NLRB Rule Prohibiting Class Action Waivers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 3, 2013)
- "Guidance For Employers Considering Mandatory Arbitration Agreements With Class And Collective Action Waivers," Strategies and Insights Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 3, 2013)"
- NLRB Rules That Asking Employee Investigation Witnesses To Keep Quiet Violates Section 7 Of The Act,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 6, 2012)
- Co-Presenter, “ Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of Arbitration - Part 1: Analyzing federal legislation precluding arbitration of sexual harassment claims," Webinar Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 1, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 13, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Conducting Remote Investigations: Considerations and Best Practices for Employers in the COVID-19 Environment," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- "The Supreme Court Takes on Class Waivers in Arbitration Agreements for Employment Cases: What Next?," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 4, 2017)
- "On Equal Pay Day - What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2016)
David focuses on change management and the delivery of proactive solutions that help clients avoid mass litigation and develop internal compliance initiatives.
More About David
David has broad-based employment litigation and traditional labor experience. He handles federal and state employment litigation, including cases involving allegations of sex, race, and national origin discrimination, age discrimination and Older Worker Benefit Protection Act violations, pay discrimination claims, sex harassment issues, failure to accommodate and disability discrimination claims, breach-of-contract and employment-at-will lawsuits, and wrongful discharge disputes. He also has experience managing administrative agency investigations, including systemic initiative, pattern-and-practice and disparate impact claims involving unequal pay, hiring and pre-employment testing, background checking, promotion, and reasonable accommodation processes. David also has experience litigating labor arbitration cases, conducting election campaigns, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and handling proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.
David draws upon his litigation experience to drive the management of routine employment litigation, promote teamwork and the sharing of best practices, and stay abreast of employment law substantive and procedural developments. He is an early adopter of Lean Six Sigma for legal service delivery and it continues to inform his approach to delivering increased value and excellence to clients.
David has assisted numerous clients with business restructuring and workforce reductions, led the centralization and process-mapping of leave of absence and disability accommodation management, conducted large pay equity, exempt-status and pay practice assessments, and developed tools and systems for assessing employee engagement, reviewing hiring processes, ensuring pay equity, and analyzing independent contractor and other alternative worker arrangements. David has also conducted extensive employee and management training through Seyfarth At Work, including leave management training, anti-harassment training, and positive employment relations training.
Each year since 2009, David has been listed by Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) as one of six "Leading Lawyers" in the United States in the area of Workplace and Employment Law Counseling. In 2017, he was one of only 500 lawyers in all disciplines across the country inducted into the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” (Legalese Ltd.), in recognition of his consistent praise received by clients and his more than eight years listed as a Leading Lawyer.
David draws upon his litigation experience to drive the management of routine employment litigation, promote teamwork and the sharing of best practices, and stay abreast of employment law substantive and procedural developments. He is an early adopter of Lean Six Sigma for legal service delivery and it continues to inform his approach to delivering increased value and excellence to clients.
David has assisted numerous clients with business restructuring and workforce reductions, led the centralization and process-mapping of leave of absence and disability accommodation management, conducted large pay equity, exempt-status and pay practice assessments, and developed tools and systems for assessing employee engagement, reviewing hiring processes, ensuring pay equity, and analyzing independent contractor and other alternative worker arrangements. David has also conducted extensive employee and management training through Seyfarth At Work, including leave management training, anti-harassment training, and positive employment relations training.
Each year since 2009, David has been listed by Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) as one of six "Leading Lawyers" in the United States in the area of Workplace and Employment Law Counseling. In 2017, he was one of only 500 lawyers in all disciplines across the country inducted into the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” (Legalese Ltd.), in recognition of his consistent praise received by clients and his more than eight years listed as a Leading Lawyer.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- AB, Princeton University
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Related Services
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Discipline & Performance Management
- Diversity & Inclusion Practice
- Employee Relations & Cultural Assessments
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Government Relations & Policy
- Handbooks & Policy Development
- Independent Worker Strategies
- Labor Management Relations
- Leaves of Absence Management and Accommodations
- OFCCP & Affirmative Action Compliance
- Pay Equity
- People Analytics
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Remote Workforces
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Termination Counseling
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Workplace Arbitration & ADR
- Workplace Crisis Response & Investigations
- Workplace Training
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
12/02/2024
Dave Baffa Discusses RIF Compliance with Anti-Discrimination Laws in SHRM
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Webinar
Jun 20, 2024
Webinar Recording: Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs
-
Recognition
06/12/2024
Seyfarth Earns Top Tier Rankings Again in The Legal 500
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2018-2025); Labor Law - Management (2020-2023)
- Recognized in International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2024)
- Recognized as a "Hall of Fame Lawyer" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020-2021, 2023-2024)
- Recognized as a "Leading Lawyer" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019, 2023, 2024)
- Recognized as a "Recommended Attorney" for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019-2021)
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Princeton Club of Chicago
- Co-Presenter, “Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Congress Amends the Federal Arbitration Act and Bans Arbitration Agreements Covering Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OSHA Issues ETS for Public Inspection with January 4, 2022 Vaccination Deadline," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 4, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Path Out of the Pandemic - Implications for Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2021)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Employer Trends Survey Results – Morale, Productivity, and Working Methods," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How CARES Affects Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Newly Enacted Workplace Transparency Act To Change Illinois Employment Law Landscape," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 27, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Half Baked: Illinois Legislature Includes Some Employer Protections in New Recreational Cannabis Law – But Beware the Traps," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 13, 2019)
- Co-Author, "A Class Waiver Can Be A Condition of Employment," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Will the Supreme Court Finally Remove Doubt That an Employer Can Mandate That Employees Enter into Arbitration Agreements with Class Waivers?," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 25, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Supreme Court Agrees to Rule on Legality of Class Action Waivers,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 13, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Fifth Circuit Sets Aside NLRB Rule Prohibiting Class Action Waivers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 3, 2013)
- "Guidance For Employers Considering Mandatory Arbitration Agreements With Class And Collective Action Waivers," Strategies and Insights Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 3, 2013)"
- NLRB Rules That Asking Employee Investigation Witnesses To Keep Quiet Violates Section 7 Of The Act,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 6, 2012)
- Co-Presenter, “ Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of Arbitration - Part 1: Analyzing federal legislation precluding arbitration of sexual harassment claims," Webinar Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 1, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 13, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Conducting Remote Investigations: Considerations and Best Practices for Employers in the COVID-19 Environment," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- "The Supreme Court Takes on Class Waivers in Arbitration Agreements for Employment Cases: What Next?," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 4, 2017)
- "On Equal Pay Day - What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2016)