David is an experienced trial lawyer and trusted advisor to businesses and their executives with a focus on employment law and HR issues. He has litigated hundreds of cases in federal and state courts and arbitrations nationwide. David is devoted to helping clients accomplish their compliance, risk reduction, and employee relations objectives. David has written and lectured extensively on employment law, trial practice, and alternative dispute resolution, and is often quoted in the media.
As a trial lawyer, David has handled hundreds of cases covering issues such as employment discrimination, whistleblower and other retaliation, noncompetition agreements and trade secret issues, wage and hour (FLSA) compliance, class and collective actions, and employment contract disputes. Clients have also regularly looked to David to litigate disputes involving a broad range of non-employment issues, including contract, partnership, shareholder, technology, and outsourcing.
As a trusted advisor, David has helped clients across a broad array of industries to reduce employment practices risks, and adopt best practices relating to wage and hour laws, employee leave laws, internal investigations, dispute resolution policies and practices, non-compete and trade secret issues, employee training, personnel and other policies, and WARN Act issues and other matters. He also is frequently involved in the negotiation and drafting of executive employment, separation, and related agreements.
David's clients include publicly and privately held companies, non-profits and trade associations, and their executives in a broad range of industries, including:
- Health care and life sciences
- Financial-services
- Defense and security
- Telecom
- Hospitality, including hotels and restaurants
- Technology
- Government Contracting
- Staffing and outsourcing
- Consulting and professional services
- Professional sports
David chaired the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice for more than a decade. He has been recognized by several publications including Chambers USA, a leading legal research guide, in which clients interviewed described David as a “superior lawyer who is very knowledgeable and attentive” known for his “practicality and strong communication skills.”
David also has frequently written, lectured, and been quoted on issues such as class action risk mitigation, use of arbitration agreements and class action waivers, post-employment breaches of fiduciary duties, employee versus independent contractor status, employment discrimination, alternative dispute resolution, and budgeting for litigation. He is also co-editor of Mintz Levin’s Employment Matters blog.
More Legal and Business Bylines From David Barmak
- In Split Vote, FTC Approves Controversial Final Rule Banning Most Post-Employment Non-Competes; Rule Already Subject to Challenge in Court - (Posted On Thursday, April 25, 2024)
- Washington, D.C. Joins A Growing Number of Jurisdictions with Pay Transparency Requirements and Wage History Inquiry Restrictions - (Posted On Tuesday, February 27, 2024)
- Key Changes & Updates to Employment Agreements: What Maryland and Virginia Employers Need to Know - (Posted On Monday, October 30, 2023)
- Recent Employment Law Updates in the District of Columbia - (Posted On Wednesday, March 22, 2023)
- A Comprehensive Breakdown of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rule - (Posted On Friday, November 05, 2021)
- Biden Administration Unveils Sweeping Workplace Vaccination Plan - (Posted On Friday, September 10, 2021)
- California East? D.C. Passes Comprehensive Ban of Non-Compete Agreements - (Posted On Friday, January 08, 2021)
- OSHA Updates COVID-19 Recordkeeping Guidance - (Posted On Wednesday, June 03, 2020)
- Part Seven of the COVID-19 Roadmap Series: Employee Physical and Mental Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic - (Posted On Tuesday, May 12, 2020)
- COVID-19 Update: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Becomes Law - (Posted On Thursday, March 19, 2020)