David Kaufman

Represent employers in federal and state court litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and before administrative agencies at all levels in employment discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, accommodation, and other employment employment matters. Advise and counsel regional and national employers on handling of employment disputes and personnel matters, including management of leaves of absence, compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, accommodations, and employee discipline and discharge.

Senior Counsel - Littler Mendelson P.C. - Cleveland, Ohio

(2026-01)

• Represent employers in federal and state court litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and before administrative agencies at all levels in employment discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, accommodation, and other employment employment matters.
• Advise and counsel regional and national employers on handling of employment disputes and personnel matters, including management of leaves of absence, compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, accommodations, and employee discipline and discharge.

Senior Employment Counsel - Flynn Group - Cleveland, Ohio

(2025-01 - 2025-11)

• Represented the businesses of the country’s largest franchisee – with over 2,900 restaurants and over 70,000 employees – in litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and federal and state administrative proceedings in employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability accommodation, and wage and hour matters.
• Provided advice and counsel to human resources executives, directors, and managers nationwide on employee discipline and discharge matters, accommodation of disabilities, leaves of absence, and compliance with applicable employment laws.

Partner, Labor and Employment Practice Group - Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP - Cleveland, Ohio

(2014-01 - 2025-01)

• Represented employers in litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies in employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, retaliation, and breach of contract cases, wage and hour collective actions, and cases involving the enforcement of restrictive covenants.
• Advised employers on every aspect of the employment relationship, including employee discipline and workplace misconduct, hiring and termination issues, leaves of absence, accommodation of disabilities, wage and hour problems, and compliance issues related to Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, NLRA, and other federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Drafted and counseled employers regarding the use and enforcement of restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and nondisclosure provisions and agreements, and litigated the enforcement of such provisions and agreements in courts across the country.
• Drafted and advised employers on various employment documents including employment, separation, and independent contractor agreements, employee handbooks and policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Engaged in thorough employment-related due diligence and provided guidance to companies and deal counsel regarding employment issues arising in the context of mergers and acquisitions involving companies ranging from closely held family businesses to publicly traded corporations.
• Conducted and provided counsel to employers regarding internal workplace investigations involving complaints of employee misconduct, theft, discrimination, retaliation, contractual breaches, and compliance with other rules, policies, and applicable laws.
• Delivered timely and substantive presentations to employers and industry groups on employment law topics including updates on relevant federal and state agency rules and case law, wage and hour compliance, marijuana and other drug use in the workplace, and employee leave issues.

Associate, Labor and Employment Practice Group - Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP - Cleveland, Ohio

(2007-02 - 2013-12)

• Represented employers in litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies in employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, retaliation, and breach of contract cases, wage and hour collective actions, and cases involving the enforcement of restrictive covenants.
• Advised employers on every aspect of the employment relationship, including employee discipline and workplace misconduct, hiring and termination issues, leaves of absence, accommodation of disabilities, wage and hour problems, and compliance issues related to Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, NLRA, and other federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Drafted and counseled employers regarding the use and enforcement of restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and nondisclosure provisions and agreements, and litigated the enforcement of such provisions and agreements in courts across the country.
• Drafted and advised employers on various employment documents including employment, separation, and independent contractor agreements, employee handbooks and policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Engaged in thorough employment-related due diligence and provided guidance to companies and deal counsel regarding employment issues arising in the context of mergers and acquisitions involving companies ranging from closely held family businesses to publicly traded corporations.
• Conducted and provided counsel to employers regarding internal workplace investigations involving complaints of employee misconduct, theft, discrimination, retaliation, contractual breaches, and compliance with other rules, policies, and applicable laws.
• Delivered timely and substantive presentations to employers and industry groups on employment law topics including updates on relevant federal and state agency rules and case law, wage and hour compliance, marijuana and other drug use in the workplace, and employee leave issues.

Associate Attorney, Labor and Employment Practice Group - Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP - Columbus, Ohio

(2004-09 - 2007-01)

• Represented employers in employment litigation in court and before administrative agencies, counseled clients on compliance with employment laws, drafted employment documents, and investigated workplace complaints.

Doctor of Law - Emory University School of Law (2004-05)

Bachelor of Arts - Comparative Government - Georgetown University (2000-05)