Michele M. Goldsmith - a Los Angeles, US Labor & Employment Lawyer

Los Angeles Labor & Employment Lawyer

Updated: 04/27/2026

Areas of Practice

Labor & Employment
Education Law
Business Law & Compliance Litigation

Attorney Information

Overview

A named Shareholder of BDG, Michele M. Goldsmith has been practicing law in California for over 23 years. A seasoned litigator and trial attorney, Michele has represented public entities and medium to large businesses in complex labor and employment and tort related litigation matters. Her extensive labor and employment experience includes litigating claims brought pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code § 12940 et seq.); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq., the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”); the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”); the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), as amended by the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (“OWBPA”); the Rehabilitation Act; the California Labor Code; the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”); the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”); the California Business and Professions Code; and other claims for violation of statute or common law.

Michele has represented her public and private clients before the California Superior Courts, California Courts of Appeal, Public Employment Relations Board, the California Labor Commission, and the Commission on Professional Competence of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Michele is also experienced in representing public agency management in labor negotiations and in providing client seminars on employment and human resources topics, as well as in risk management and the prevention of legal claims. For example, Michele has continuously and regularly represented a charter city in southern California since 2007 in a broad range of matters, including appearing before administrative bodies, handling labor and employment litigation, advising the client’s city council, and appearing at closed and open sessions.

Michele is also experienced in the performance of workplace investigation, specifically when employees claim discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace. Michele has performed employment related investigations for both public and private entities.

Michele is a regular lecturer, speaking to attorneys, clients, and professional associations on various issues regarding labor and employment practices, including wage and hour, discrimination, and harassment issues, and ethics as applicable to public officials.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Michele M. Goldsmith included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Super Lawyers, 2012 - Present
Top Women Attorneys of Southern California, 2012 - Present

Other Sources of Feedback About Michele M. Goldsmith

Included on the 2026 Southern California Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2021 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2020 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2019 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2018 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2017 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2016 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2015 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2014 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2013 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2012 Southern California Super Lawyers list
2010 Southern California Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California, 1995
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- California State Northridge, 1992
  B.A.
  Honors: cum laude

Current Employment Position(s)

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Shareholder
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Classes and Seminars

Presenter, Precluding a Claim of Disability Discrimination
Presenter, Engaging in the Interactive Process: What Employments Need to Know to Comply
Presenter, Time is of the Essence: A Wage and Hour Discussion
Presenter, A Guide to Understanding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Presenter, SLAPP Motions In Employment Litigation
Presenter, Preventing Workplace Claims: The Hot Zones Where Employers Get In Trouble

Published Works

Articles

For Now, Locals on Their Own to Implement Sanctuary State Bill, Los Angeles Daily Journal, October 31, 2017
Uncertainty over unmanageability, Rule 23 PAGA defenses, Los Angeles Daily Journal, January 12, 2017
An About Face on Teacher Tenure, Los Angeles Daily Journal, April 19, 2016
What Security Screening Ruling Means for California, Los Angeles Daily Journal, December 17, 2014
Vergara and AB 215: The First Steps of Education Reform, Los Angeles Daily Journal, June 17, 2014
Dismissing a Teacher Is Not Easy, Los Angeles Daily Journal, March 12, 2013
Changes are Challenging, Los Angeles Daily Journal, November 15, 2010
An Arrow In the Employer’s Quiver, Los Angeles Daily Journal, July 27, 2010
Unfriendly Business, Los Angeles Daily Journal, July 31, 2009
Collaboration Is Key to Accommodating Injured Workers, Los Angeles Daily Journal, October 3, 2008

Bar Admissions

California
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. District Court Central District of California
U.S. Supreme Court, 2002

Other Affiliations

Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) (Member)
California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CalPerla) (Member)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (Member)
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Division (Member)
Education Law Association (Member)
Mackrell International, Labor and Employment Division (Member)
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (Member)
American Bar Association (Member)
Beverly Hills Bar Association (Member)
Black Women Lawyers (Member)
Los Angeles Superior Court Labor and Employment “CRASH” Program, 2012 - Present (Mediator)

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Contact

Los Angeles, CA

10880 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1015
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Directions

Phone: 310-470-6110

Fax: 310-474-0931

Email: Send a message

Websites:

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Michele M. Goldsmith - Los Angeles, CA