Dipanwita Deb Amar

Amar is skilled at representing broad-ranging issues within the legal industry for those who know it best — high-profile law firms.

“I think the most interesting thing about this year has been that most of my cases have ended in arbitration, and arbitration is a very hot topic right now,” Amar said. “I think arbitration is a really powerful tool that is helpful to both sides.”

Her areas of expertise include gender equality and mandatory arbitration and class action waivers. She said her work has evolved lately, and that while she used to take many class actions, she now has more gender discrimination cases.

Amar has established herself as a trusted resource to represent top firms in heated cases. In a substantial case involving the Equal Pay Act, Amar was chosen to represent Steptoe & Johnson LLP in the first class action against a major law firm which involved its associates. Houck v. Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 17-CV04595 (C.D. Cal., filed June 22, 2017).

In another case for a major firm, Amar successfully represented DLA Piper in a case brought by a former attorney who alleged gender, race and disability discrimination against the firm and two prominent partners. Amar and her partner on the case, David Reis, pushed to compel arbitration, which resulted in a hearing in Los Angeles that lasted over two weeks. Her client prevailed on every claim. The case is currently on appeal. Stout v. DLA Piper LLP (US), BC582018 (L.A. Super. Ct. Nov. 30, 2017).

Amar is also deeply invested in continued education; she is the author of “The Labor & Employment Lawyer’s Job: A Survival Guide,” which was published by the American Bar Association in 2007.

In terms of her strategy, Amar said it is the rigorous and comprehensive nature of her work that sets her apart.

“I’m very proud of my briefs and the legal thinking and writing that goes into them, but I’m consistently talking to my clients about whether the legal process makes sense for their practice’s problem,” she said.

Amar said she is gratified by her role as a dynamic point of contact for clients.

“I’ve become kind of a trusted partner with my clients,” she said. “I’m helping them make decisions not just about legal matters, but how those legal matters affect their business.”

— Caroline Hart