Michael D. Thomas

Michael Thomas is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and a dedicated advocate for employers navigating California’s complex and ever-changing employment laws. Combining an MBA-level understanding of business with core emotional intelligence, empathy and over 25 years of practice, Michael leverages his unique background and experience to guide employers through onerous legal obligations. 

Michael’s litigation practice spans all aspects of California employment law, with a particular focus on defending companies in class actions and representative claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). He has extensive experience handling complex wage and hour matters—including overtime, meal and rest periods, off-the-clock work, misclassification, and expense reimbursement claims—and has secured favorable rulings to limit the scope of class/PAGA actions and substantially reduce potential exposure. Michael’s record of success obtaining pre-trial dismissals, successful settlements, and defense verdicts includes employers in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, restaurant, hospitality, transportation, janitorial services, security services, and the gig economy. 

Beyond litigation, Michael is a co-leader of the firm's Corporate Diversity Counseling practice group. Understanding that clients are facing increasing calls from internal and external stakeholders to proactively address Diversity Equity and Inclusion and ESG related issues across their business, Michael collaborates with clients to balance today’s complex web of decisions, laws and interests with varying legal, reputational and litigation risk with the often-competing demands for greater transparency. Michael assists clients in developing and implementing goal-driven solutions through best practices, neuroscience, adult learning, body awareness and mindfulness. 

Michael also conducts customized in-house seminars and training for managers, supervisors, and employees concerning employment compliance, workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation, respect in the workplace, wage and hour issues, workplace violence and effective communication in the workplace. 

Michael’s training includes a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University and a yoga certification from the Niroga Institute in Berkeley where he studied yoga, mindfulness, and meditation and which he leverages to motivate employers to create workplaces where all employees and the business thrives in unison.