Firm Description
Our Approach
With longevity and consistency rare among its peers, Foster Employment Law has been in continuous operation since 1991. We have a proven record of providing our clients with top-quality legal services at reasonable rates. We deliver professional advice and strategic recommendations that produce resolutions and limit disputes.
Our attorneys develop close working relationships with our business clients, who run the gamut from Fortune 500 companies to mid-tier businesses. And we assist with a broad array of professional challenges and needs, from full service litigation, to labor arbitrations, to human resource related advice, to wage and hour dispute representation. The result is top-notch service with rates significantly below the large, institutional firms.
At Foster Employment Law, we do not support or tolerate over-billing or excessive litigation. We zealously represent our clients in every aspect of litigation. Our zealousness, however, is always tempered by a practical desire to control the ever-increasing cost of litigation.
Foster Employment Law provides the following legal representation services:
Litigation
With experience and expertise, we have a long history of successful litigation representation for our clients.
Human Resources Advice/Wage & Hour Compliance
Companies need to keep pace with the sweeping changes in employment case law and regulations.
Labor Management Relations
Global competition and workplace restrictions require a law firm with a track record in successful labor management relations.
Training
Workforce training can reduce litigation risk in the face of increasingly complex workplace compliance issues.
Internal Complaints/Investigations
An independent investigation can mitigate a company’s risk by reducing potential liability and ensuring non-partiality.
Attorney Biographies
David Cardiff
David Cardiff graduated from the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and Hastings College of the Law (J.D.). David is an experienced litigator, wage and hour expert, and published author. He most often represents national employers and local public agencies in labor and employment litigation. David appears regularly throughout California trying civil matters in both state and federal courts as well as before the Department of Labor and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Bryan Daley
Bryan received his undergraduate education from Stanford University and his legal education from Harvard Law School, where he served for two years on the Law School Council and the faculty’s Legal Education Committee.
Bryan has been practicing employment law on behalf of corporate clients since he was admitted to the California Bar in 2003. He has represented employers in various employment-related lawsuits under state and federal law, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and interference with leaves of absence. He has also defended employers in several wage and hour class actions involving claims of unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, and denial of meal and rest periods. In addition to appearing in California’s trial courts, Bryan has successfully argued before a California Court of Appeals and in administrative proceedings with the California Labor Commissioner. Bryan was an associate at Bingham McCutchen LLP, where he practiced from 2003 to 2008.
Emily Epstein
Emily Epstein graduated from the University of Michigan (B.A. with high distinction, Phi Beta Kappa) and the University of California, Berkeley – Boalt Hall School of Law (J.D.). Emily has experience in both employment litigation and employee benefits litigation and counsel. Emily represents employers in various employment-related lawsuits under state and federal law, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.
Michael Foster
Michael Foster graduated from Harvard University (B.A.) and Stanford Law School (J.D.). As the firm’s senior attorney, Michael has won numerous jury verdicts for employers and has prevailed in more than 100 summary judgment motions. He also advises and counsels numerous large corporations and mid-tier employers on various federal, state, and local employment laws. He prepares and reviews employee handbooks and personnel policies for employers and offers seminars and advice regarding employment issues.
Madelyn Jordan-Davis
Madelyn Jordan-Davis graduated from the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and Hastings College of the Law (J.D.). Madelyn has built an extensive litigation practice focusing on harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, and other employment-related issues. She also provides advice and training in employment law, where she is skilled at advising employers how to adopt and implement policies to avoid litigation.
Lisa Plank
Lisa Plank graduated from the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and Emory University School of Law (J.D. with honors). As a former City Attorney for the City of Palo Alto, Lisa brings first-hand public sector experience to our practice in defending public employers. She has more than 15 years experience in this area. In addition to public employer litigation, Lisa represents large and mid-tier corporation in a wide range of employment matters including: harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims.
Susan H. Roos
Susan "Susie" Roos graduated from Stanford University (A.B.) and the University of Southern California (J.D). During law school she externed for the Honorable Mariana Pfaelzer, United States District Court. She spent 13 years as an associate, and then a partner at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, in its Los Angeles and San Francisco offices. She has over 25 years of experience defending employers in all aspects of employment-related matters, including sexual harassment, all types of employment discrimination, ADA access issues and trade secret litigation. She also represents employers in collective bargaining and arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Her expertise includes advising and counseling employers regarding employment and severance agreements, wage and hour issues, labor relations, and employment law. She has jury and non-jury trial experience in both state and federal court, as well as extensive experience before federal and state administrative agencies, arbitrators and mediators.
Michael E. Wilbur
Michael E. Wilbur graduated from the University of South Carolina (B.A.,
magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and Emory University School of Law (J.D.) He is admitted to practice in Georgia and California, and has almost twenty years' experience advising and counseling employers and representing employers in labor and employment matters before administrative agencies and in state and federal court litigation. He was previously an associate at Fisher & Phillips and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton. He frequently speaks to business groups on a variety of labor and employment law issues.
