Biography

Ben Buchwalter specializes in working with companies to manage and mitigate employment law risks to achieve their business goals. He has deep experience defending companies in single-plaintiff and class and representative action lawsuits related to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, and requests for accommodations. Through his experience defending companies of all sizes in litigation and as an in-house employment attorney, Ben always strives to understand what is most important to his clients in order to reach the best company-tailored resolution of disputes.

In addition to helping companies achieve their litigation goals, Ben is passionate about advising employers on pragmatic and proactive employment programs to help California employers “see around corners” and establish measures tailored to their goals and culture to minimize unacceptable risks. When disputes arise, he offers an experienced and steady hand toward resolving conflicts and, when necessary, vigorously defends his clients in federal and state courts and arbitrations and before administrative agencies.

Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Larry R. Hicks of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Charles R. Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and as a law clerk in the San Francisco Federal Public Defender’s Office.

Firm Highlights

Publication

California’s Estrada Decision and Impact on Employers and PAGA Claims

Following Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc. , the California Supreme Court’s employee-friendly Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) ruling earlier this year, employers must remain more diligent than ever to prevent and mitigate costly...

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Publication

California Employment Law Updates: What to Look Out for in 2024

Farella's 2024 Employment Law Symposium provided invaluable insights that will keep you and your talent team at the forefront of California employment law trends. The Symposium offered a unique chance to deepen your understanding of new...

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Publication

SB 699 and AB 1076: California Enacts Further Prohibitions on Noncompete Agreements

California is expanding its longstanding prohibition on noncompete agreements in 2024, in some of the most impactful legislative changes California employers should address in the new year. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, two new laws...

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Publication

Navigating California's New Rebuttable Presumption Law

The ever-evolving landscape of employment laws in California has introduced a notable change with the implementation of a new law that establishes a rebuttable presumption of retaliation in some circumstances. This law, which took...

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Publication

Trial Courts’ Tool Box Doesn’t Include PAGA Manageability Authority

In Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc. , the California Supreme Court jump-started 2024 with a boon to employees, ending trial courts’ inherent authority to dismiss unmanageable claims under the Private Attorneys’ General Act...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Welcomes Benjamin Buchwalter to Growing Employment Group

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Publication

Employment Law Symposium Recordings & Articles

Employers Face Significant New Requirements for Severance Agreements and Non-Competes  (Recording) Conducting Effective, Defensible Investigations (With Lessons Learned from Summary Judgment & Trial)  (Recording) California Employment Law Updates: What to Look Out for in...

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Event

AI and Privacy: What Every Company Needs to Do Today

Sushila Chanana and Benjamin Buchwalter will discuss "AI and Privacy: What Every Company Needs to Do Today' at the ACC 2024 Privacy Summit.  This session will introduce basics of AI governance, such as ownership...

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Publication

Navigating California's Workplace Violence Prevention Law

California has introduced a new requirement compelling most employers to implement a workplace violence prevention policy by July 1, 2024. The implications of this law are significant, prompting the need for human resource executives...

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