Robins Kaplan expands its West Coast appellate arm with the addition of Glenn Danas

Glenn Danas, an appellate attorney known best for his high-profile victories on behalf of employees and consumers on hot button issues like arbitration, is moving to Robins Kaplan LLP as a partner in the firm's Los Angeles office.

After six years at Capstone Law APC, Danas begins his new role Monday, endeavoring to bolster Robins Kaplan's appellate arm, which is headed by former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson.

"The decision was really a no-brainer given that Robins Kaplan has long been one of the premier litigation shops, both in defense and plaintiff-side work, and has some of the finest trial attorneys are there in the country," Danas said in an interview Friday.

Though known best for his plaintiff-side employment and consumer class action work, Danas has experience in intellectual property and antitrust as well, he said, which will benefit him as his practice grows.

"Glenn has been wildly successful in litigating complex issues across a spectrum of practice areas. We thought that his assistance would be a welcome ... addition to our California offices," said the firm's Los Angeles and Silicon Valley managing partner, Michael A. Geibelson.

Unlike other firms with longstanding specific appellate practice groups, Robins Kaplan has traditionally relied on litigators to take cases from start to finish. In the new role, Danas will litigate and advise on cases ranging from employment and entertainment to real estate and manufacturing, according to Geibelson.

In the last five years, Magnuson has been able to add more than a dozen appellate lawyers to the firm's offices.

"It's a strong practice, but Glenn makes it even more strong," Magnuson said.

Danas famously litigated Iskanian v. CLS Transportation Los Angeles, 59 Cal. 4th 348 (2014), in which the California Supreme Court ruled that employees cannot waive the right to bring California Labor Code PAGA actions.

"Glenn is an extraordinary lawyer and has developed his skills at a fine firm," said Lyndon Parker, a legal recruiter at JD Search Advisors LLC who helped orchestrate Danas' move to Robins Kaplan. "Now he's going to a broader platform working in conjunction with incredible litigators."