Overview

Dennis M. Brown is an experienced litigator with a special emphasis on complex litigation, including:

  • Class and collective action avoidance and defense
  • Wage and hour litigation and advice
  • Sexual harassment
  • Employment discrimination
  • Wrongful termination
  • Employment practices liability insurance matters

He represents clients in state and federal courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the California Labor Commissioner. He has experience with claims involving:

  • Title VII
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act
  • The Fair Employment and Housing Act
  • The California Labor Code
  • California wage and hour laws

In addition to handling state and federal litigation and trial work, Dennis also handles arbitration and mediation. He serves a diverse group of clients, including:

  • Large retail chains
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • High-technology employers
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Construction companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Professional sports franchises

Highly-knowledgeable about employment practices liability insurance issues, Dennis has authored several articles on the subject. He also has been interviewed or quoted on the subject by several leading publications and news sources.

Dennis also regularly counsels employers on day-to-day employment law issues, such as compliance with workplace statutes and regulations, personnel policies, and risk management protocols including mandatory arbitration.

Dennis is co-creator of the firm's Risk Management Program. He previously served as office managing shareholder in Littler's San Jose office and was a member of the firm's Board of Directors. He is an initial founding member and past chair of the Governance Committee, as well as the past chair and a current member of the EPLI Committee, founding member and chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, member of the firm’s Global Board of Directors, and on the Board of Directors of Compliance HR. A frequent speaker before business and professional associations, Dennis has also served as an expert commentator for the national media on issues of sex harassment.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

American Inns of Court

Former President

William A. Ingram Inn of Court

2010-2012

Former Member, Board of Directors

ELT, Inc.

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2010-2023

Named, Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2004, 2006-2007, 2009-2021, 2023

News, Analysis & Press

Law firms are embracing the legal tech boom

San Francisco Business Times

January 29, 2021

Judge sends gender bias case against CIGNA to arbitration

National Law Journal

April 19, 2012

New labor laws mean money

Monterey County Herald

January 12, 2012

Legislators, EEOC scrutinize employment ads

InsideCounsel

October 1, 2011

Wal-Mart's sex-discrimination ruling limits class action worker suits

Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

June 24, 2011

E-mail Faux Pas, Like Ones in Goldman Case, Common

Reuters

April 27, 2010

Virtual Sexual Harassment Nothing To LOL About

Employment Law 360

November 6, 2009

Compete without the noncompete

Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

October 19, 2008

Dennis Brown Urges Employers to Delete Video Resumes

National Law Journal

June 4, 2007

Risky Business

Inc. Magazine

September 2004

Email: When E Stands For Embarrassing

CNET News

May 17, 2002

Bias Suits Forcing Review of HR Practices

Supermarket News

April 1998

Speaking Engagements

New Employment and Labor Laws for 2015

San Jose, CA

January 14, 2015

2012 Employment Law and Leadership Conference

January 11, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, 1986
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1983

Bar Admission

California