Laura J.Maechtlen

• Recognized as one of the "500 Leading Lawyers in America" by Lawdragon (2025)
• Awarded the "Deborah J. Broyles Law Firm Diversity Award " by California Minority Counsel Program (September 2024) 
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2019-2025)
• Recognized as a "Recommended Attorney" for Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions) - Defense by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2018-2024)
• Recognized in International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2024)
• Recognized for Labor & Employment (California) by Chambers USA (2021-2024)
• Awarded the "Attorney of the Year" recognition by San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association (June 2023) 
• Recognized as one of the Leading US Corporate Employment Lawyers by Lawdragon (2021-2022)
• Recognized as a Labor & Employment Star (West) by Benchmark Litigation (2019-2021, 2023)
• Honored with Minority Corporate Counsel Program (MCCA) Rainmakers Award (2020) 
• Listed in California Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Employment Litigation: Defense (Thomson Reuters) (2011-2016)
• Recognized as a "Rising Star" and "Top Attorney Under 40" for Employment law by Law360 (Portfolio Media, Inc.) (2015)
• Recognized as one of the "Top 75 Employment Litigators" in the "Top Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers In California" list by the Daily Journal (2014)
• Recognized as one of the "Top 75 Women Litigators" in the "Top 100 Leading Women Lawyers In California" list by the Daily Journal (2014)
• Presented the James C. Hormel Philanthropist Award by the San Francisco AIDS Legal Referral Panel (2013)
• Recognized as one of the country’s "Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40" by the National LGBT Bar Association (2011)
• Named Seyfarth Pro Bono Partner of The Year (2010)

• California Minority Counsel Program, board of directors (co-chair, 2016-present; member, 2014-2015)
• Commissioner, Latina Commission, Hispanic National Bar Association (2015-2016)
• Board of directors, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Foundation (2014-present)
• National Board of Directors, Lambda Legal (director, 2013 to present; co-chair, San Francisco Leadership Council, 2013-2015)
• National Lesbian Gay Law Foundation board of directors (2012-2014)
• Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) (2011-2012)
• National Lesbian Gay Law Association board of directors (immediate past president, 2010-2011; president, 2008-2010; incoming president, 2007-2008)
• Bar Association of San Francisco, LGBT Equality Subcommittee (2010-2014)
• Bay Area Lawyers For Individual Freedoms (board of directors, 2010-2014; annual dinner committee, 2009-2011)
• San Francisco AIDS Legal Referral Panel (board of directors, 2007-2010; secretary, board of directors, 2008-2009)
• National Conference of Bar Presidents, Membership Committee (2009-2011)
• National Conference of Bar Presidents, Diversity Committee (2008-2009)
• San Francisco Bar Association Barrister’s Club, Diversity Issues Committee (co-chair, 2008)
• American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section, EEO Committee)
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• New Mexico Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)

• Co-Author, "OSHA Issues ETS for Public Inspection with January 4, 2022 Vaccination Deadline," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 4, 2021)
• Co-Author, "SEC To Require 'Human Capital' Disclosure—Is Fuzzy On the Details," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 28, 2020)
• Co-Author, "Mile-High Expectations for Employers As Colorado Governor Signs Into Law One of Nation’s Toughest Pay Equity Law to Date," Pay Equity Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 23, 2019)
• Co-Author, "Seventh Circuit Finds Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation Prohibited by the Civil Rights Act," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2017)
• Co-Author, "DFEH Issues Guidelines Regarding Transgender Employees," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 24, 2016)
• Co-Author, "What marriage ruling means for employers," Daily Journal (July 2, 2015)
• "U.S. Supreme Court Recognizes Fundamental Right To Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide: Impact of the Decision on Employers," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 26, 2015)
• Co-Author, "SF 'Retail Workers’ Bill of Rights' Enacted — Likely Employer Impact," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 10, 2014)
• Co-Author, "DOL Issues Final Rule on Government Contractor Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Requirements," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 9, 2014)
• Co-Author, "San Francisco Board of Supervisors Tentatively Passes 'Retail Workers Bill Of Rights'," Retail Detail, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 21, 2014)
• Co-Author, “U.S. v. Windsor: Present and Future Employment and Employee Benefit Implications,” California Business Law Practitioner, Vol. 29, No. 3 (Regents of the University Of California, Summer 2014)
• Co-Author, "President Obama Expands LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections with Executive Order," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 21, 2014)
• Co-Author, "Facilitating Facilities in the Workplace: The DFEH Litigates a Gender Identity Access Case," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 28, 2014)
• "Employment Non-Discrimination Act Clears Initial Hurdle To Pave The Way For Congressional Vote," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 5, 2013)
• Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Decides Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Decisions That Will Significantly Impact U.S. Employers,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 26, 2013)
• Contributing Chapter Editor, The Developing Labor Law: The Board, the Courts, and the National Labor Relations Act, 2013 Supplement (BNA, 6th Edition, 2012)
• Co-Author, “The Supreme Court Grants Review In Two Cases With Direct Implications For Employers,”One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2012)
• Co-Author, “EEOC Issues New Guidance Applying Title VII And ADA To Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault And Stalking,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP(October 26, 2012)
• Co-Author, “The EEOC Gets Knocked Out Of The Ring,” The Workplace Class Action Blog (August 14, 2012)
• Contributing author, Workplace Class Action Blog, available at: www.workplaceclassaction.com
• Contributing Chapter Editor, The Developing Labor Law: The Board, the Courts, and the National Labor Relations Act (BNA, 6th Edition, 2012)
• Chapter Author, “Chapter 8 - Discovery Issues in Collective and Class Actions,” Wage & Hour Collective and Class Litigation, ALM Law Journal Press (2012). Definitive treatise on wage and hour litigation.
• Co-Author, “Wal-Mart v. Dukes: Clarification of Rule 23 Standards,” 18 Westlaw Journal on Class Action, Issue 9, pp. 3-6 (October 2011)
• Co-Author, “Wal-Mart v. Dukes: Clarification of Rule 23 Standards,” Westlaw Journal Expert Commentary Series: Wal-Mart v. Dukes: Class Actions Under Scrutiny, pp. 3-6 (October 2011)
• Co-Author, "Court Complicates Wage-And-Hour Law," The Recorder, 134rd Year No. 28 (August 2, 2011)
• Co-author, "Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes: U.S. Supreme Court’s Clarification of Rule 23 Standards Means a Win for Employers Facing Class Actions,” 11 Expert Evidence Report, No. 14, pp. 343-348 (July 18, 2011)
• Co-author, “Roundtable on Diversity,” California Lawyer, pp. 37-40 (June, 2011) 
• Co-author, "Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes': U.S. Supreme Court's Clarification of Rule 23 Standards Means a Win for Employers Facing Class Actions," 12 BNA Class Action Litigation Report, No. 13, pp. 614-619 (July 8, 2011)
• “Caregiver and Family Responsibilities: A Continuing Challenge for Employers,” Employee Relations Law Journal (Spring 2011)
• “How Rolls-Royce Relates To Wal-Mart,”Law 360 (April 22, 2011)
• Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law 2011 Supplement (BNA, 5th Edition, 2006)
• Contributing Author, 2011 ABA FLSA Cumulative Supplement
• Co-author, “Case Study: Dukes v. Wal-Mart,” Employment Law 360, Portfolio Media, Inc. (December 13, 2010)
• Co-author, “Employment Roundtable,” California Lawyer, pp. 39-43 (October 2010)
• "Dukes v. Wal-Mart Clarifies Roles Of Experts During Class Certification Hearings," 35 BNA Employment Discrimination Report, pp. 256-64 (August 31, 2010)
• Co-Author, “Proposition 8 Overturned in California - What Does This Mean For Employers?,” ABA/TIPS Employment Law And Litigation Newsletter, pp. 3-5.
• "Dukes v. Wal-Mart Part III - 'Roadmap' for Certification" 11 BNA Employment Discrimination Report, pp. 485-490 (May 28, 2010)
• Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law 2010 Supplement (BNA, 5th Edition, 2006)
• Contributing Editor, The Fair Labor Standards Act 2010 Cumulative Supplement (American Bar Association, 2010)
• Contributing Editor, The Fair Labor Standards Act 2009 Cumulative Supplement (American Bar Association, 2009)
• Author, “Federal Non-Discrimination Provisions Are On The Horizon For U.S. Employees”, The Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco, California (July 30, 2009)
• Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law 2009 Supplement (BNA, 5th Edition, 2006)
• Contributing Editor, The Fair Labor Standards Act 2008 Cumulative Supplement (American Bar Association, 2008)
• Author, “Covering Same-Sex Couples, in Sickness and in Health” The Daily Journal (May 23, 2008)
• Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law 2008 Supplement (BNA, 5th Edition, 2006)
• Co-Author, “Exempt Me Not,”The Recorder (September 14, 2007)
• Contributing Editor, The Fair Labor Standards Act 2007 Cumulative Supplement (American Bar Association, 2007)
• Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law 2007 Supplement (BNA)(5th Edition, 2006)

• Co-Presenter, “Best Practices and Key Considerations for Employers Implementing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs),” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 24, 2024)
• Co-Presenter, "Seyfarth Inclusion & Diversity Webinar Series - Part Four: Diverse Slates," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 15, 2021)
• Co-Presenter, "Seyfarth Inclusion & Diversity Webinar Series - Part Three: Employee Resource Groups," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 13, 2021)
• Co-Presenter, "2020 US Election: What to Expect in Labor & Employment from the Biden-Harris Administration," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 4, 2020)
• Co-Presenter, "Seyfarth Inclusion & Diversity Webinar Series: Creating Meaningful Change: Building Effective Inclusion Programs - Part One," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 4, 2020)
• Panelist, "High Stakes for Employers: 'Weeding Out' Risks," HNBA Corporate Counsel Conference & Moot Court Competition, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Albuquerque, NM (March 20, 2019)
• “CLE Mold Breakers & Difference Makers: Strategies and Technology for Creative and Innovative Law Firms and In-House Legal Departments,” National Hispanic Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Conference, San Francisco, CA (March 16, 2018)
• "Washington 2018 Labor and Employment Outlook: What Does Year Two of the Trump Administration Mean for You?," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 27, 2018)
• “Developing LGBT Latino/a Professionals for Success and Leadership in Law firms, Academia, the Government and Judiciary,” National Hispanic Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Conference, Las Vegas, NV (March 16, 2016)
• “Beyond the School Yard: Workplace Harassment and Bullying - The Problems That Won’t Go Away,” National Association of Women Lawyers, 2016 Mid-Year Meeting, San Francisco, CA (March 11, 2016)
• “Insights and Best Practices For Managing Transgender Issues In The Workplace,” Employment Roundtable of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (November 5, 2015)
• “DIY or Outsource? A Decision Process Review,” International Legal Technology Association Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV (August 2015)
• Chair, Employment Institute, National LGBT Bar Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL (August 2015)
• “Transitioning From Good To Great: Gender Identity In The Workplace,” Equality Illinois/Miller Coors Event, Chicago, IL (July 2015)
• “Annual National Employment Law Update,” American Law Institute (May 2015)
• “Litigating Employment Law Claims in California,” Alameda County Bar Association, Oakland, CA (March 2015)
• “Not All Diversity and Inclusion Programs Are Created Equal,” Association For Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (October 2014)
• “Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law,” HR Southwest Conference, Ft. Worth, TX (October 2014)
• "Bias and the Lavender Bar: LGBT Identities and Beyond," Continuing Education of the Bar, California (August 14, 2014)
• “Annual Employment Law Update,” National LGBT Bar Association Annual Conference, New York, NY (August 2014)
• Co-Chair, Employment Institute, National LGBT Bar Association Annual Conference, New York, NY (August 2014)
• “BYOD: Bring Your Own Devices, Not Your Drama - How To Ensure BYOD Policies Work For Your Business,” National Employment Law Council, 19th Annual Conference (April 2014)
• “From Charge Practice To Pattern Or Practice: Litigating With The EEOC,” National LGBT Bar Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA (August 2013)
• “Economic, Ethical and Legal Attributes of Working From Home,” Markkula Center For Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, Business and Organizational Ethics Partnership, Santa Clara, CA (August 2013) 
• “Legislative and Other Developments in LGBT Employment Rights,” American Bar Association 2013 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (August 2013)
• “Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments,” National Conference On Equal Employment Opportunity Law by the American Bar Association Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, Savannah, GA (April 2013)
• “Women In Leadership Symposium: Women Leaders As Architects Of Change,” National Diversity Council, San Francisco, CA (March 14, 2013)
• “How to Prevent Workplace Conflict and Violence,” Minority Corporate Counsel Association Annual CLE Expo, San Diego, CA (March 2013)
• “Elimination of Bias In Negotiations,” Seyfarth Shaw CLE Expo, San Francisco, CA (February 2013)
• “Class Action Trends in California: Consumer and Employment Litigation,” Retail Law Conference, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Dallas, TX (November 2012)
• “Social Media And The Law,” General Counsel West Coast Conference, American Lawyer Media, San Francisco, CA (October 31, 2012)
• “Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law,” HR Southwest Conference 2012, Ft. Worth, TX (October 2012)
• “The ABC’s of LGBT,” Texas Minority Corporate Counsel Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX (October 2012)
• “Doing Business In California? Employment Law For In And Out-Of-State Employers,” Workplace Training Center/Media Briefings, Webinar (August 2012)
• “Trends In Employment, Benefits & Labor Law,” National LGBT Bar Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (August 2012)
• “Social Media & The Law,” Bar Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (June 2012)
• “Are Employment Class Actions Dead After Walmart & AT&T?,” Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2012)
• “Complex Litigation: Preparing And Defending The High Stakes Case,” Hispanic National Bar Association 3rd Annual Corporate Counsel Conference, Jersey City, NJ (March 2012)
• “Success Through Coaches, Mentors & Networks,” National Diversity Council, 3^rdAnnual California Diversity & Leadership Conference, Berkeley, CA (February 2012)
• “Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law,” HR Southwest Conference 2010, Ft. Worth, TX (October 2011)
• “Wrongdoing in the Workplace - Internal Investigations from Employment to White Collar,” California Minority Counsel Program Annual Conference (October 2011)
• “Update in Employment Law,” Los Angeles, CA (September 2011)
• “Implications of Dukes v. Wal-Mart,” Retail Industry Leaders Association (July 2011)
• “Transgender Employees in California: Best Practices for Eliminating Bias and Ensuring Respect in the Workplace,” Business and Legal Reports, Webinar (April 2011)
• “2011 California Labor and Employment Law Update,” Center For Competitive Management, Webinar (March 2011)
• “Social Media and the Law,” The Recorder Roundtable Series, San Francisco, CA (January 2011)
• “Explaining Why (and How) California Employment Laws Are So Different From Other States,” Business and Legal Reports, Webinar (November 2010)
• “Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law,” HR Southwest Conference 2010, Ft. Worth, TX (October 2010)
• “2010 California Labor and Employment Law Update,” Center For Competitive Management, Webinar (September 2010)
• "The Sea-Change: The Billable Hour, Alternative Fee Agreements and Diversity," Miami, FL (August 2010)
• "Current Issues in Labor Law," Miami, FL (August 2010)
• "Weathering the Storm: What Every Law Firm Needs to Know About Employment Law in 2010," San Francisco, CA (March 2010)
• “Elimination of LGBT Bias In the Legal Profession,” Sacramento, CA (January 2010)
• “Explaining Why (And How) California’s Employment Laws Are So Different From Other States,” San Francisco, CA (November 2009)
• “Ethics Panel - LGBT Bias In The Legal Profession,” San Francisco, CA (November 2009)
• “New Lawyers ‘Survival:’ A Panel Discussion on How to Navigate the Waters of Your First Five Years of Labor and Employment Practice,” Berkeley, CA (November 2009)
• “Coming Out in the Profession: ‘But, What Will the Clients Think?’” Brooklyn, NY (September 2009)
• “Workplace Protections and Employee Wish Lists,” Brooklyn, NY (September 2009)
• “Complying With California’s Unique Employment Laws,” Center for Competitive Management Webinar (September 2009)
• “California Peculiarities,” New York, NY (June 2009)
• “FMLA And Leave Of Absence Management,” San Francisco, CA (February 2009)
• “Documenting Investigations and Poor Performance,” San Francisco, CA (September 2008)
• “Beyond ENDA, Capitol Hill and the 110th Congress: Current Issues for Practitioners in LGBT/HIV Employment Law,” San Francisco, CA (September 2008)
• “Issues of Religion In The Workplace,” San Francisco, CA (June 2007)
• “Navigating Employment Law Agencies,“ San Francisco, CA (March 2007)
• “Preparing For the Next Wave Of Wage And Hour Litigation,“ San Francisco, CA (October 2006)
• “Litigating Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Cases,“ San Francisco, CA (August 2006)
• “Wage and Hour Update,” San Francisco, CA (October 2005)
• “Domestic Partner Benefits and Issues: Changing Responsibilities for California Employers, “ San Francisco, CA (October 2005) 
• “Overview of Employer Responsibilities Under California's New Domestic Partnership Laws,“ Sacramento, CA (April 2005)
• “Council on Education in Management Public Sector Employment Update 2005, Leaves of Absence in the Public Sector,“ Sacramento, CA (March 2005)
• “Leaves of Absence in the Public Sector, Council on Education in Management Public Sector Employment Update 2005,“ Sacramento, CA (March 2005)
• “Leaves of Absence Update, Construction Industry Seminar,” Sacramento, CA (March 2005)
• “Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims: the Current Law,” Sacramento, CA (September 2004)

• College of Law Practice Management, fellow (2024)

"Laura Maechtlen (does) a great job helping us trying to tiptoe around the minefield of California labor law." —From Chambers USA

"She's the maestro of all the work that we request. She's super sophisticated and up to speed on what's cutting edge, especially for technology companies. She's incredibly fast to turn around requests on a broad range of areas and very quick to turn around with dense, usable, valuable information. One more skill Laura has is that she's really good at connecting with folks from inside and outside the law, whether they're a labor economist, policy person or other business thinker. She has a super broad network that she leverages very well." —From Chambers Confidential

"Laura Maechtlen is client-friendly and helps put together litigation teams. She can put things together in a way that enables the team to be more affordable than other large labor and employment firms. She's a strategic and thoughtful litigator." —From Chambers Confidential