Overview

Adam J. Fiss represents employers in a variety of labor and employment matters, including defending clients in lawsuits and administrative proceedings that involve wrongful termination, employment discrimination, trade secret and unfair competition, wage and hour, and harassment.

In addition, as co-chair of Littler’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Crisis Response Practice Group, Adam has wide-ranging experience, litigating, advising and problem solving with clients on issues relating to concerns of potential workplace violence issues. This includes creating and implementing, policies, trainings, and plans to identify and be prepared for a potential workplace violence situation and counseling clients relating to actual threats of violence or violence impacting the workplace.   

Adam also, as a core member of Littler’s Leaves of Absence and Disability Accommodation Practice Group, has extensive experience assisting clients with the design and administration of leave of absence, mandatory paid sick leave laws throughout the United States, and accommodation policies and procedures; counseling employers regarding day-to-day leave and accommodation issues; training management and HR staff in these areas; and defending claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and related state laws.

Adam also counsels employers on a variety of issues arising under state and federal labor and employment laws and assists employers in the implementation and review of personnel policies and procedures.

He appears in state and federal courts and before the California Labor Commissioner, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Adam also handles labor relations and has represented both private and public employers in:

  • Collective bargaining negotiations
  • Labor arbitrations
  • National Labor Relations Board proceedings
  • Public Employment Relations Board proceedings
  • Administrative mandamus hearings for public entities

Most frequently, Adam works with the following types of clients:

  • Private entities, from small companies to Fortune 500 companies, including those in high tech, medical, retail, manufacturing, and financial industries
  • Public entities including school districts, county offices of education, special districts, and cities

Adam frequently lectures and authors articles on employment and labor law topics. He is the Co-Chair of the Workplace Violence Prevention practice group and is a core member of the firm's practice groups: Leaves of Absence and Disability Accommodation and Workplace Safety. 

Professional & Community Affiliations

Advisor, Executive Committee

Labor and Employment Law Section

California Lawyers Association

2014-present

Member, Executive Committee

Labor and Employment Law Section

California Lawyers Association

2010-2014

Member

Executive Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Member

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Member

Labor and Employment Law Section

American Bar Association

News, Analysis & Press

Speaking Engagements

What Can Employers Do to Detect and Protect Against Active Shooter/Assailant Situations?

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 9, 2024

Tales from the Trenches: Hidden Legal Risks in Paid Leave Compliance

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 8, 2024

Who Wants to be a Paid Sick Leave SME?

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 11, 2023

Mental Health Matters: How Employers Can Provide Support and Prevent Crisis in Challenging Times

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 5, 2022

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

June 30, 2021

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

June 24, 2021

Responding to Suicide Warning Signs in the Workplace

December 9, 2020

2020 Virtual California Employer

November 19, 2020

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

September 16, 2019

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

August 28, 2019

Workplace Violence and the Active Shooter | Steps to Prepare for and Handle Difficult Safety Situations in the Workplace

February 20, 2019

"You Can't Make Me Come to Work!" Untangling the Web of Employee Leaves

San Jose, CA

May 23, 2013

oh, god! Coming to terms with Religion in the Workplace

19th Annual Public Sector Conference, Labor and Employment Law Section - State Bar of California

May 3, 2013

Discrimination Law 101

30th Annual Meeting, Labor and Employment Law Section - State Bar of California

November 2012

The 2012 Public School Employer

San Jose, CA

May 18, 2012

Leave Me Alone

April 3, 2012

Social Media & Cyberbullying

17th Annual Public Sector Conference, Labor and Employment Law Section - State Bar of California

May 2011

The 2010 Public School Employer

October 29, 2010

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, 2000
  • B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California