Overview

Philip Smith represents employers in a wide variety of employment litigation matters including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, and other related issues, before state and federal courts as well as in arbitration.

Philip also represents employers in administrative proceedings before California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly the DFEH), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).

Prior to college, Philip served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995, attaining the rank of non-commissioned officer.

Focus Areas

Discrimination and HarassmentWhistleblowing, Compliance and InvestigationsLeaves of Absence and Disability AccommodationWage and Hour

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

The Marine Corps Association

Recognition

Recipient, Summer Stipend Award, Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program

University of California, Berkeley

1999

Golden Key National Honor Society

University of California, Berkeley

Honorable Mention, Best Moot Court Brief

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

2002

News, Analysis & Press

Recent Developments in California Rest Period and Day-of-Rest Law

Contra Costa Lawyer Magazine

July 2017

Speaking Engagements

2021 California Legislative Update

Marin Builders Association’s Remodelers Forum

February 2021

Avoiding Claims for Unlawful Immigration Practices

Northern California Human Resources Association

February 2020

Best Practices for Hiring and Paying Employees

Contra Costa County Small Business Development Center

May 2017

Education

  • J.D., University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings), 2004
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2000

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California