David W. Garland

Overview

When high-profile employers face allegations of wrongdoing and the specter of a public trial, attorney David W. Garland’s meticulous, fact-driven defenses persuade juries to deliver favorable verdicts for employers. David reduces the reputational and existential threats of significant employment claims for major companies and their leaders.

He has earned a national reputation as a veteran trial attorney who easily connects with juries and skillfully manages the media attention his clients’ cases attract.

David has prevailed in courtroom defenses against claims of sex harassment, employment discrimination, whistleblowing, retaliation, breach of contract, and more. He also represents employers seeking to prevent the misappropriation of confidential business information by former employees—and represents companies against claims that they have wrongfully poached employees.

With countless jury trials in more than 30 years of practice, David builds detailed litigation strategies that set new precedents and position clients well. His early career in government and politics, as an assistant to U.S. senators and a governor, laid the groundwork for David’s aptitude with the sensitivities that workplace claims carry and the importance of public messaging. David represents well-known public and private employers, including multinational manufacturers, media corporations, and financial services companies, with national and global operations.

In addition, in the role of a Chair, David leads the firm’s National Employment, Labor & Workforce Management Steering Committee. He helped establish and build the firm’s groundbreaking alliance with Deloitte Legal, which provides global workforce solutions. David extended his international perspective—and clients’ resources—as co-chair of the International Labor and Employment Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s section of Labor and Employment Law.

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Focus Areas

Services

Industries

Experience

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Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Won a significant appellate victory for a global media organization, in which a former employee alleged that the organization had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing a reasonable accommodation for his migraine headaches. David and his team argued that one’s claimed inability to perform a single job does not rise to the level of disability, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit adopted their argument in a precedent-setting opinion.
Took over a case, on the eve of trial, for a global manufacturer accused of Title VII race discrimination and retaliation. David and his team swiftly put the case together, unearthed information that prior counsel had failed to uncover, and persuasively argued the client’s position at trial. The jury, after deliberating for a mere 35 minutes, returned a verdict in our client’s favor.
Represented a client in a case of first impression brought against it by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which claimed that our client had entered into an oral settlement agreement during the conciliation process. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the EEOC’s complaint.
Convinced the New Jersey Supreme Court that an employer's leave policy was not discriminatory, despite a pregnant employee’s claim that the policy disparately impacted females.
Defended the chief executive officer of a television news network against claims of sex harassment in one of the most widely followed cases of the #MeToo movement.
Won a three-week jury trial for a large hotel and entertainment company, in which the former employee had alleged a hostile work environment based on age.
Defended a global financial services company in a case in which the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, held that a former employee's disability discrimination claim should have been dismissed on the employer’s summary judgment motion.
Quashed a $7 million whistleblower claim filed against a national insurance company by the president of the company’s subsidiary. David succeeded in transferring the case from a court to arbitration, and the arbitrator ruled in favor of the insurance company.
Convinced a court not to enjoin a manufacturing company’s security policy meant to protect the company's precious metals. The policy allowed the company to conduct searches requiring the removal of clothing, as warranted by the circumstances. Three female employees sued to block the policy. After David argued that the policy was reasonable, the court upheld it.

Recognition

Listed in:

The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law—Management and Labor Law—Management (2006 to 2025). This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Chambers USA: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business: New Jersey—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2010 to 2024); New York—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2022 to 2024). This award is conferred by Chambers and Partners. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense (2013, 2014, 2016 to 2024); Workplace and Employment Counseling (2019 to 2024). This award is conferred by The Legal 500. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
New Jersey Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, Employer, Employment Litigation: Defense (2005 to 2024). This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
New York Metro Super Lawyers, Employment Litigation: Defense (2017 to 2024). This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Who's Who Legal, Thought Leaders: Labour & Employment, New Jersey (2020, 2022); The International Who's Who of Management Labour & Employment Lawyers, New Jersey (2014 to 2017, 2019). These awards are conferred by Who's Who Legal. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Credentials

Education

The George Washington University Law School (J.D., 1985)
College of William and Mary (B.A., 1980)

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
New Jersey
New York

Court Admissions

Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Professional & Community Involvement

Academy of New Jersey Management Attorneys
American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law - Co-Chair, International Labor and Employment Law Committee
American Employment Law Council
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow
Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations Advisory Board
National Finance Industry Employment Law Committee
New Jersey State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
New York State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Yeshiva University General Counsel's Council