Overview

Dustin Bodaghi represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law. Dustin’s practice focuses on the defense of class and PAGA lawsuits under wage and hour laws. He has also defended clients against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, failure to accommodate, wrongful termination, and unfair competition. Dustin has significant trial experience, having participated in multiple trials and arbitrations. Dustin has defended employers in technology, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications, staffing, and other industries.

Examples of Dustin’s successes include:

  • Obtained dismissal of a PAGA lawsuit brought against a national restaurant chain at the pleadings stage
  • Obtained dismissal of a worker misclassification lawsuit against a food delivery service at the pleadings stage
  • Obtained dismissal of a lawsuit against a restaurant operator with claims for disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and wrongful termination at the pleadings stage
  • Obtained dismissal of a lawsuit against a hospital with claims for failure to hire and discrimination before the hearing on the company’s motion for summary judgment
  • Obtained a complete defense award in a lawsuit against a hospital with claims for whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination

While in law school, Dustin served as an editor for the Business Law JournalHe also externed for the Hon. James S. Ware (Ret.) of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Administration of Justice Committee

Orange County Bar Association

Member

Iranian American Bar Association

Member

Pro Bono Committee

Orange County Bar Association

Recognition

Named, Ones to Watch

The Best Lawyers in America®

2021-2025

Named, Rising Star

Super Lawyers

2014-2020, 2022-2023

Recipient, Witkin and CALI Awards

Maritime Law and Public & Global Health Law

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

Books & Book Chapters

  • Class and Collective Actions, ADR in Employment Law, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section (Trotten, J., Bodaghi, D., Schreter, L., 2022)

Education

  • J.D., University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, 2010
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2007cum laude

Bar Admission

California

Courts

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