Michael Brewer

Michael Brewer focuses on employment law disputes and trial work. Michael's practice encompasses a wide range of labor and employment matters, including the defense of wage and hour class actions, discrimination, wrongful discharge in addition to employment contract, trade secrets, non-competition, whistleblower, sexual harassment and related claims. He regularly represents clients in employment litigation in federal and state courts, arbitration, and in proceedings before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the US Department of Labor and state agencies throughout the United States. Michael has served as an instructor with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy teaching trial and deposition skills to other lawyers. Clients often call upon Michael to step into difficult cases previously handled by other firms.

Michael teams with clients on personnel management matters, novel employment situations as well as discipline and termination, workplace accommodation, workforce change and litigation avoidance. He also advises global employers on the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act.

Michael represents businesses in disability access and public accommodation matters. He is well versed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Unruh Act, the California Disabled Persons Act, Health & Safety Code sections 19955 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the California Access Compliance Building Regulations (Title 24).

Michael Brewer serves as the Firm's America’s Chair of the Employment & Compensation Practice. A trial lawyer who represents global and domestic clients in employment and trade secrets litigation, Michael has tried class action and single-plaintiff cases before judges, juries, and arbitrators. Michael’s reputation is supported by testimonials from clients and other influential sources including Thomson Reuters, Benchmark Litigation and Super Lawyers where he is praised for his problem-solving skills, exceptional leadership, and outstanding legal acumen.

State Bar of California – Labor and Employment Law Section, Member

Contra Costa County Bar Association – Employment Law Section, Former President

Bar Association of San Francisco – Labor and Employment Law Section, Member

"Stand-out Lawyer", Thomson Reuters, 2026

Labor and Employment Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2020

Recognized lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2013-2018, 2020-2026

University of Colorado School of Law

JD

1995

University of California at Los Angeles

BA

1990