David Rutan

David focuses his practice on complex litigation, labor and employment matters, class actions, unfair competition, and entertainment disputes. He has significant experience in all aspects of litigation, including trials and appeals.

David represents clients in labor and employment matters, including cases involving misclassification, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour violations, and whistleblower cases. He also advises employers on personnel matters, wage and hour issues, and other compliance issues.

David also has experience in providing comprehensive representation in highly complex and strategic matters involving investigations, public relations crises, fraud, and corporate governance issues.

• Assisted in defending several entertainment-related clients in various cases against allegations of personal and professional misconduct, both in the pre-litigation and litigation stages.
• Assisted in representing a plaintiff company in litigation arising out of the purchase of a film and television library out of bankruptcy.
• Assisted in defending an environmental remediation contractor against claims by 265 plaintiffs, totaling more than $1 billion in alleged damages, in multidistrict litigation in which more than 200 depositions were taken concerning a three-million-gallon release of acid mine drainage in Colorado.
• Assisted in representing a luxury eyewear designer in a dispute with the designer’s European distributor.

• The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment (2025-2026)
• Daily Journal, Top Verdicts (2023)