Daniel J. McQueen
Daniel represents clients on labor & employment matters within the healthcare, hospitality, retail, and manufacturing industries.
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With a career that spans more than two decades, Daniel has represented employers in high-stakes cases and jury trials across the country. He helps clients navigate all stages of litigation and has a particular focus on defending wage-and-hour class actions, as well as representative actions under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and collective actions under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Daniel frequently represents employers in matters arising under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other labor and employment laws. In addition to his litigation practice, he advises on various human resources and workplace issues, and conducts “wage and hour” audits to assist clients in navigating California’s byzantine employment laws.
Client Work
Daniel’s representative matters include:
- Represented a major national hospital system in a PAGA trial involving thousands of employees, where the plaintiffs sought over $200 million in penalties. After an eight-week jury trial, secured a defense verdict on all PAGA claims.
- Represented a major California hospital system in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiffs alleged that the hospital was improperly compensating its 12-hour shift employees and failing to provide meal and rest breaks. The hospital was granted summary judgment on all claims.
- Represented a nationwide grocery store chain in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiff alleged that employees throughout California were denied meal and rest breaks. The company successfully opposed class certification and was then granted summary judgment on all claims.
- Represented a nationwide insurance company in the defense of claim for retaliation and discrimination on the basis of disability. The case proceeded to a jury trial and the insurance company received a complete defense verdict.
- Represented a clothing retailer in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiff alleged that its store managers throughout California were misclassified as exempt, executive employees. The company successfully opposed class certification.
- Represented a California hospital system in the defense of a wrongful termination claim based on disability-related allegations. The system was granted summary judgment entirely in its favor.
Previous Work
Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Daniel was a partner at a large international law firm.
Publications & Recognitions
Publications
- California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) – Litigation and Compliance Manual, Vol. 2, (June 2021)
- California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) – Litigation and Compliance Manual, Vol. 2, (Feb. 2020)
- “Brinker’s Unique Impact on the Health Care Industry,” Daily Journal, (May 10, 2012)
Recognitions
- Recommended Lawyer – Labor & Employment, Legal 500 (2018 -2019)
Memberships
− Los Angeles County Bar Association
− LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Professional Activities
Pro Bono Work
- Represented the Los Angeles LGBT Center on a pro bono basis for over a dozen years
Life Beyond the Law
Outside of work, Daniel enjoys home improvement projects, his dogs, and international travel.
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Practices
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Education
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, JD, 2001Occidental College, BA, 1995