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Desktop Image: Mass, Erik
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Erik Mass

He/Him

Associate

T 212.489.8230 New York
I am passionate about finding solutions that best fit the needs of my clients.
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Erik Mass represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He has worked collaboratively with management clients to guide them through complex workplace legal issues. He believes in close and regular contact to ensure clients are fully apprised of any developments in the ever-changing legal landscape.

Erik's litigation practice focuses on representing employers in single and multi-plaintiff anti-discrimination and wage and hour class and collective actions. He also regularly defends employers engaged in disputes concerning restrictive covenants, employment contracts and policies, workplace safety laws including the OSH Act, disability rights laws, and traditional labor laws.

In addition to his litigation practice, Erik understands the importance of litigation avoidance and regularly counsels clients on state and federal labor and employment laws, including regulations and statutes related to COVID-19, employment discrimination laws, wage and hour laws, the WARN Act, federal, state, and local leave laws, and whistleblower laws. As a member of the firm's Artificial Intelligence team, Erik also counsels clients on the use of AI and machine learning in the workplace, and provides guidance related to generative AI policies and bias audits.

Erik has represented clients in a broad range of industries, including media, retail, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, academia, food services, and transportation.

Prior to joining DWT, Erik was an associate at the international labor and employment firm Ogletree Deakins. In law school, Erik was an active member of Fordham Law's moot court team, where he competed against other law schools from across the country.

Practice Highlights

Cost-effective litigation

Successfully defended employers of all sizes against claims concerning discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour violations, federal, state, and local leave laws, reasonable accommodations, restrictive covenants, and traditional labor laws. Prioritizes early and efficient resolution.

Counseling

Counsels clients extensively on all aspects of the constantly evolving COVID-19 laws and regulations, as well as wage and hour compliance, leave, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and reasonable accommodations. Believes that providing his clients with consistent updates on the legal landscape will help avoid litigation in the future.

Drafting

Extensive experience in drafting and revising employee handbooks, offer letters, employment agreements, and severance agreements.

Abbott, et al. v. Comme Des Garcons, et al.

Obtained pre-answer dismissal of a federal complaint against Comme Des Garcons, Dover Street Market, and individual defendants alleging wage and hour violations.

Dedewo v. CBS Corporation

Obtained dismissal on summary judgment of a federal complaint against Paramount Global (f/k/a CBS Corporation) alleging discrimination on the basis of race and gender (including failure to promote, wrongful discharge, and retaliation claims).

Defense of construction company in wage and hour class and collective action*

Defended construction company and individuals in class and collective action asserting minimum wage and overtime violations under state and federal law. (Ongoing)

Defense of hospital in wage and hour class and collective action*

Defended hospital in class and collective action asserting claims for minimum wage and overtime violations, violations of the Wage Theft Prevention Act, and failure to timely pay manual workers. (Ongoing)

Pre-discovery resolution of service charge complaint*

Negotiated a walkaway settlement in wage and hour class action related to failure to pay service charges to food service workers at an event space prior to discovery.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Admitted to Practice

  • New York, 2016
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York

Education

  • J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2014
    • Urban Law Journal
    • Best Brief, I. Maurice Wormser Moot Court Competition, 2012
    • Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award
  • B.S., Finance, University of Maryland, College Park, 2011
    • Dean's List
    • Quantitative Finance Fellow
    • Emerging CFOs Fellow

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Labor & Employment Law Section, American Bar Association

Professional Recognition

    • Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2025
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