David B. Walston

David B. Walston

Employment Law - Management

5.0 (1 reviews)
Birmingham, Alabama
38+ years experience
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC
Updated:

Contact Information

420 Twentieth Street North, Suite 1900, Birmingham, AL 35203
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Bio

After more than 25 years of practicing labor and employment law, David Walston has developed a formula for building successful client relationships. He believes that all good engagements begin with a face-to-face meeting to perform an assessment of the current policies and practices of the client’s human resources operations. David’s assessment is designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency and court interpretations. David then offers day-to-day employment advice on workplace issues and suggests possible courses of action available to the client – suggestions to aid the avoidance of administrative charges and lawsuits. He provides these services through the client’s election of a flat-fee retainer arrangement or on an hourly-rate basis.If an issue evolves into administrative proceedings or a lawsuit, before any response or pleading is filed David conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the underlying facts, and the claims and applicable defenses. He then has an extremely candid conversation with the client regarding the risks the matter presents so the client can make a fully informed decision regarding how to address the matter. With the client’s goals developed, David maps out a strategic case management plan. David keeps in constant contact with the client regarding all significant developments so he and the client modify the model as the defense of the matter proceeds.This approach has served David well, whether he is planning the defense of employment discrimination, hostile work environment or retaliation claims, FLSA individual and collective actions, defending unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, directing the opposition to a union organizational campaign, or negotiating with governmental agencies in audits or charges of violations of employment laws or regulations. After more than 25 years of practicing labor and employment law, David Walston has developed a formula for building successful client relationships. He believes that all good engagements begin with a face-to-face meeting to perform an assessment of the current policies and practices of the client’s human resources operations. David’s assessment is designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency and court interpretations. David then offers day-to-day employment advice on workplace issues and suggests possible courses of action available to the client – suggestions to aid the avoidance of administrative charges and lawsuits. He provides these services through the client’s election of a flat-fee retainer arrangement or on an hourly-rate basis.If an issue evolves into administrative proceedings or a lawsuit, before any response or pleading is filed David conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the underlying facts, and the claims and applicable defenses. He then has an extremely candid conversation with the client regarding the risks the matter presents so the client can make a fully informed decision regarding how to address the matter. With the client’s goals developed, David maps out a strategic case management plan. David keeps in constant contact with the client regarding all significant developments so he and the client modify the model as the defense of the matter proceeds.This approach has served David well, whether he is planning the defense of employment discrimination, hostile work environment or retaliation claims, FLSA individual and collective actions, defending unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, directing the opposition to a union organizational campaign, or negotiating with governmental agencies in audits or charges of violations of employment laws or regulations. After more than 25 years of practicing labor and employment law, David Walston has developed a formula for building successful client relationships. He believes that all good engagements begin with a face-to-face meeting to perform an assessment of the current policies and practices of the client’s human resources operations. David’s assessment is designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency and court interpretations. David then offers day-to-day employment advice on workplace issues and suggests possible courses of action available to the client – suggestions to aid the avoidance of administrative charges and lawsuits. He provides these services through the client’s election of a flat-fee retainer arrangement or on an hourly-rate basis. If an issue evolves into administrative proceedings or a lawsuit, before any response or pleading is filed David conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the underlying facts, and the claims and applicable defenses. He then has an extremely candid conversation with the client regarding the risks the matter presents so the client can make a fully informed decision regarding how to address the matter. With the client’s goals developed, David maps out a strategic case management plan. David keeps in constant contact with the client regarding all significant developments so he and the client modify the model as the defense of the matter proceeds. This approach has served David well, whether he is planning the defense of employment discrimination, hostile work environment or retaliation claims, FLSA individual and collective actions, defending unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, directing the opposition to a union organizational campaign, or negotiating with governmental agencies in audits or charges of violations of employment laws or regulations.

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Labor and Employment, Birmingham (2018)
  • Recognized: Employment Law - Management
  • Recognized: Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Practice Area: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Practice Area: Labor Law - Management
  • Special Focus: Management
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011-2016 in the field of labor and employment litigation and employment law
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010

Education

  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Vanderbilt University, BA, graduated 1984

Reviews

K

Kenneth Walker

2 weeks ago

A Trusted Advisor Through a Complex Employment Dispute

Our company faced a high-stakes, multi-plaintiff employment litigation that threatened significant financial and reputational damage. We were referred to David Walston at Ogletree Deakins, and it was the best decision we could have made. David's 38 years of deep experience in labor and employment law were immediately evident. He didn't just react to the lawsuit; he built a comprehensive strategy from the outset, explaining every step with clarity. His belief that strong client relationships are foundational meant we were true partners throughout the process. Leveraging his recognized expertise in employment management and litigation, David secured a highly favorable settlement that protected our business interests completely. His professionalism, foresight, and the respect he commands in the Birmingham legal community are unparalleled. For any business navigating complex workplace legal issues, David is the definitive choice.

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