David Wachtel
Trister, Ross, Schadler & Gold, PLLC • Washington, DC
DiscriminationEmployment LawLabor & Employment
Is this your profile?
Claim it for free to update your information and connect with clients.
Contact
Email
Phone
(202) 929-3116
Address
1666 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC, 20009, US
Professional
About
David Wachtel has practiced employment law for individual employees in Washington, D.C. since 1993. Recently, he has been selected by colleagues as a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and by Law Dragon as one of the Top 500 Plaintiff's Employment Lawyers in the country. Dave's work includes trial court and administrative litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has successfully represented employees with claims of race, sex, age, and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, violation of civil service rights, interference with FMLA rights, and retaliation on the basis of whistleblower activity in the nuclear, aviation, defense, and finance industries. Dave offers individuals suffering job loss or workplace harassment individual attention, lean, versatile strategies, and a calming influence on (almost) every stressful situation. Since joining Trister, Ross in February 2016, Dave has broadened his practice to advise dozens of non-profit organizations on all manner of employment law policy and compliance questions. He offers organizations an especially informed and experienced understanding of employment policy and how to achieve resolution of workplace disputes.
About Discrimination Law
Discrimination attorneys represent individuals who have faced unfair treatment based on protected characteristics. They fight for equal rights in employment, housing, and public services. Common matters include employment discrimination, housing discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination.
Credentials
Education
1989 University of Texas School of Law JD - Juris Doctor with honors 1984 Washington University in St. Louis BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
English
Recognition & Involvement
Awards
2020 Law Dragon, One of the 500 top employment lawyers for employees in the United States 2020 Top Lawyer -- Employment Law, Washingtonian Magazine 2018 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, Lawdragon 2017 Admitted to CLEL, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (CLEL) 2017 Employment Litigation -- Plaintiff, Superlawyers
Publications
2011 CCH Employment Law Daily Alerts Walmart v. Dukes: Future prospects for plaintiff classes 2009 Policy & Practice Amended Disabilities Act Widens Protection 2007 Policy & Practice Interactive Process for Hiring the Disabled 2006 The HR Specialist What Does Broad New Definition of ‘Retaliation’ Mean to You? 1999 You & the Law Shop Smart for Insurance Against Employee Bias Claims
Associations
1997 - Present Maryland State Bar Association Member 1996 - Present Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association Member 1990 - Present State Bar of California Member
Speaking
2015 Annual Convention Addressing Smart Technology: Ethical and Evidentiary Issues 2014 Webcast Sexual Orientation and Identity in Employment Law 2014 Labor & Employment Section Smart Phone Discovery, Privacy, and Practice -- a Braver Newish World 2012 Webcast Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Drones and Privacy 2012 Seminar on Issues in the Administration of Justice Litigating a Civil Case -- Summary Judgment and Pretrial Issues
Other Discrimination Attorneys in Washington, DC
Updated: Aug 12, 2026