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Desktop Image: Maya Harel
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Maya Harel

Counsel

T 213.633.6893 Los Angeles
Passionate about providing creative solutions to complex employment matters and delivering exceptional results both in and out of the courtroom.
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Maya Harel is an experienced litigator with broad expertise defending employers in wage-and-hour class and PAGA actions. With over a decade of experience as an employment litigator in both California and federal courts, Maya approaches each matter with deep substantive knowledge and a practical, strategic approach. Working closely with clients across various industries, she conducts thorough analyses to gain a deep understanding of key facts and her clients' goals in order to provide a tailored litigation strategy specific to each matter. As a creative, business-minded counselor and litigator, Maya has achieved exceptional results for her clients, including obtaining a full defense victory in a PAGA trial and defeating class certification in multiple class actions.

In addition to handling complex litigation matters, Maya also defends clients in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters. She also advises clients through complex workplace issues, including internal investigations, sensitive personnel matters, and prelitigation disputes. Additionally, Maya crafts effective employment policies and negotiates employment, severance, and release agreements.

Passionate about giving back, Maya takes on pro bono matters, mentors law students and new attorneys, and seeks opportunities to make a positive impact in her community.

During her time at Loyola Law School, Maya externed with judges on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Los Angeles Superior Court. She also participated in an employment law clinic, partnering with the labor commissioner to resolve complaints.

PAGA trial victory*

Secured a landmark defense win in a PAGA suitable seating trial, affirmed on appeal, establishing that PAGA lawsuits are triable to the bench, not a jury.

Defeated class certification in meal and rest break case*

Defeated class certification in a putative wage-and-hour class action alleging noncompliant meal and rest breaks for Managers on Duty at retail stores.

Defeated class certification and PAGA claim in retail manager misclassification case*

Successfully defended a retail client against claims of misclassifying store managers as exempt, securing a victory that denied both class certification and a PAGA representative claim.

Defeated class certification in kitchen-sink wage-and-hour case*

Obtained a total defeat of a kitchen-sink wage-and-hour class action against a prominent health and beauty products company.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Admitted to Practice

  • California, 2013

Education

  • J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 2013, cum laude
    • Senior Technical Editor: Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review
    • Associate Chief Justice: Scott Moot Court
    • Competitor, LAWASIA International Moot Court Competition, South Korea
    • Order of the Coif
  • B.A., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 2010

Languages

  • Hebrew

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Association of Business Trial Lawyers, 2016-present
    • Advisory Board Executive Member, Western Center on Law & Poverty, 2015-2020
    • Advisory Board, Bet Tzedek, 2017-2019

Professional Recognition

    • Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2021-2025; in Labor and Employment Law - Management, 2022-2025

Background

    • Associate, Morrison Foerster LLP, Los Angeles, 2016-2024
    • Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Los Angeles, 2013-2016
    • Senior Fellow, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Los Angeles, 2012
    • Judicial Extern, Hon. Arthur L. Alarcón, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Los Angeles, 2012
    • Judicial Extern, Hon. Richard L. Fruin Jr., Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, 2011
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Publications
08.15.24
News
2025 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 180 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
06.05.14
Publications
Co-author, "Another Victory for Arbitration Agreements in California," Law360
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©1996-2025 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Attorney Advertising. Not intended as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.