Daniel J. McQueen

Partner

Daniel represents clients on labor & employment matters within the health care, hospitality, retail, and manufacturing industries. Daniel co-leads ArentFox Schiff’s Health Care industry group.

Daniel McQueen Portrait

With a career that spans more than two decades, Daniel has represented employers in high-stakes cases and jury trials across the country. He helps clients navigate all stages of litigation and has a particular focus on defending wage-and-hour class actions, as well as representative actions under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and collective actions under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Daniel frequently represents employers in matters arising under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other labor and employment laws. In addition to his litigation practice, he advises on various human resources and workplace issues, and conducts “wage and hour” audits to assist clients in navigating California’s byzantine employment laws.

Client Work

Daniel’s representative matters include:

  • Represented a major national hospital system in a PAGA trial involving thousands of employees, where the plaintiffs sought over $200 million in penalties. After an eight-week jury trial, secured a defense verdict on all PAGA claims.
  • Represented a major California hospital system in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiffs alleged that the hospital was improperly compensating its 12-hour shift employees and failing to provide meal and rest breaks. The hospital was granted summary judgment on all claims.
  • Represented a nationwide grocery store chain in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiff alleged that employees throughout California were denied meal and rest breaks. The company successfully opposed class certification and was then granted summary judgment on all claims.
  • Represented a nationwide insurance company in the defense of claim for retaliation and discrimination on the basis of disability. The case proceeded to a jury trial and the insurance company received a complete defense verdict.
  • Represented a clothing retailer in the defense of a wage and hour class action. The plaintiff alleged that its store managers throughout California were misclassified as exempt, executive employees. The company successfully opposed class certification.
  • Represented a California hospital system in the defense of a wrongful termination claim based on disability-related allegations. The system was granted summary judgment entirely in its favor.

Previous Work

Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Daniel was a partner at a large international law firm.

Publications & Recognitions

Publications

  • California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) – Litigation and Compliance Manual, Vol. 2, (June 2021)
  • California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) – Litigation and Compliance Manual, Vol. 2, (Feb. 2020)
  • “Brinker’s Unique Impact on the Health Care Industry,” Daily Journal, (May 10, 2012)

Recognitions

  • Recommended Lawyer – Labor & Employment, Legal 500 (2018 -2019)

Memberships

−       Los Angeles County Bar Association

−       LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Professional Activities

Pro Bono Work

  • Represented the Los Angeles LGBT Center on a pro bono basis for over a dozen years

Life Beyond the Law

Outside of work, Daniel enjoys home improvement projects, his dogs, and international travel.

Perspectives