Profile
Michael James Kolvek is a member of the Labor & Employment Litigation Practice in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Michael’s primary focus is defending against complex wage and hour and representative actions. He has experience in virtually all aspects of litigation, including assessing claims, developing strategy, leading factual investigations, consolidating actions, calculating damages, handling all phases of discovery, drafting deposition outlines, engaging in pre-trial motion practice, coordinating with expert witnesses, and drafting dispositive motions. He has also run lead on settlement negotiations to pursue favorable outcomes for his clients.
Michael’s experience also touches on trade secret, copyright, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, fraud, and toxic tort claims.
Michael also maintains an active Pro Bono practice through which he seeks to help clients draft expungement requests, obtain increases in child support, apply for asylum in the United States, and draft required documentation and plans for small businesses.
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies against various putative class and PAGA claims.
- Took on lead role in strategic plaintiff-side litigation alleging breach of contract, invasion of privacy, and fraud by conducting factual investigation, assisting in developing strategy and narrative, engaging in motion practice, and seeing the matter through to resolution.
- Successfully argued motion to compel discovery at hearing and obtained sanction award against opposing counsel.
- Took on lead role in relating and consolidating complex wage/hour class and PAGA suits filed against a major client across California.
- Represented Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies against various single-plaintiff claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, and wage/hour claims.°
- Represented Fintech company in wrongful termination and retaliation arbitration brought by Executive member ultimately obtaining complete victory for client.°
- Successfully argued before AAA arbitrator to move arbitration out of contractually obligated expedited arbitration procedures and ultimately negotiate a settlement agreement for client in breach of contract claim.°
- Investigated, drafted, and argued in state court to obtain workplace violence restraining orders for retail clients.°
- Advised international company on State-specific and Federal Notice and Poster Requirements.°
- Advised Fortune 100 company on OSHA complaints.°
- Drafted Statements of Position in response to Union Grievances.°
- Drafted Motions to seal and Notices of lodging in trade secret matters.°
- Drafted Injury & Illness Prevention Program and Emergency Action Plan for client.°
- Advised on EEOC charges against client in food and beverage industry.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Kolvek prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Legal Extern, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Federal Hearings Unit, 2021
Recognition & Leadership
- Recipient, Atlanta Bar Association, "Edward J. Henning Memorial Award for Excellence, Academic Record, and Keen Interest in Dispute Resolution," 2022
Credentials
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J.D., with High Honors, Emory University School of Law, 2022
- Executive Managing Editor, Emory Law Journal
- Dean’s Teaching Fellow
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B.A., magna cum laude, Augustana University, 2018
- Dean’s Scholar
- California