Scott Stillman

Scott Stillman specializes in advocating for employees and ensuring they receive the fair treatment they deserve. With over 14 years of employment law experience, Scott has a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for his clients, both in and out of the courtroom. He is a skilled litigator and negotiator, and has handled complex and high-profile cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, whistleblower protection and False Claims Act cases. 

Scott is a leader in the field of employment law. He has been recognized multiple times by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, and he just finished serving as the Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, which has over 6,500 members. 

Scott is frequently requested to speak on employment law topics, including being a repeat guest on NPR’s “Your Legal Rights” radio show and presenting to the California State Bar, the California Employment Lawyers Association, and the Bar Association of San Francisco. He has published several articles, including in Plaintiff Magazine, the California Labor and Employment Law Review, and the Continuing Education of the Bar. 

Prior to founding his own firm, Scott was an Assistant District Attorney and Labor Liaison at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. At the DA’s Office, Scott started and managed a first-of-its-kind Workers’ Rights Unit that focused on prosecution of cases like wage theft and labor trafficking. In this position, he led the Unit’s litigation against Handy Technologies, Inc. for alleged misclassification of tens of thousands of workers, which resulted in a $6 Million Stipulated Judgment and Permanent Injunction. 

Before he was an ADA, Scott served as a Partner at McGuinn, Hillsman & Palefsky, a leading plaintiff-side employment law firm, where he successfully litigated a wide variety of employment law cases, including a False Claims Act case that settled for $2.5 Million.  

Scott is passionate about protecting the rights and interests of employees and strives to provide high-quality and compassionate legal services to his clients. In his spare time, Scott enjoys surfing, basketball, and spending time with his wife and kids.

EDUCATION

  • J.D., Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts

  • B.A., Human Biology, Stanford University

ADMISSIONS

  • State of California

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California

  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

  • United States District Court for the Central District of California

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & ORGANIZATIONS 

California Lawyers Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

  • Immediate past Chair of Section and previously served as an Executive Committee member and on various Subcommittees

Legal Aid at Work

  • Volunteer Supervising Attorney at Workers’ Rights Clinic

California Employment Lawyers Association

  • Member of Diversity Committee (2013-2020)

PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

“The FMLA Turns 30” – California Labor & Employment Law Review (July 2023)

“Protecting Consumers and Retail Investors” – BayArea Securities Enforcement Conference 2022 (March 2022)

“Unpacking Prop 22” – California Employment Lawyers Association (February 2021)

“Fresh Perspectives: How to Add Value to Your Firm” – California Labor & Employment Law Review (January 2020)

“Your Legal Rights: New 2020 Employment Laws” – NPR (December 2019)

“What Every Lawyer Should Know About False Claims Act/Qui Tam Litigation” – The Labor & Employment Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, Webinar (April 2018)

“Mediation: What Goes On In The Other Room?” – California Lawyers Association’s 35th Labor & Employment Law Annual Meeting (April 2018)

“Your Legal Rights: New Laws for the Workplace” – NPR (January 2018)

“Sexual Harassment In The Workplace” – The Bar Association of San Francisco (November 2017)

“Your Legal Rights: A Discussion of New Employment Laws for 2017” – NPR (December 2016)

“Employing Interns and Volunteers: The Laws You Need To Know” – CEB: California Business Law Practitioner (Summer 2016)

“The Evolving Role of NLRB in Today’s Workplace” – State Bar of California’s Labor & Employment Law Annual Meeting (April 2016)

“Your Legal Rights: New Laws for Employers and Employees Laws in 2016” – NPR (March 2016)

“Your Legal Rights: Amendments to California’s Equal Pay Statute” – NPR (December 2015)

“Employing Interns And Volunteers: The Laws You Need To Know” – The Bar Association Of San Francisco (May 2015)

“Your Legal Rights: What Can and Can’t Be Asked by an Employer in a Job Interview – Part 2” – NPR (May 2014)

“Your Legal Rights: What Can and Can’t Be Asked by an Employer in a Job Interview” – NPR (March 2014)

“The NLRA’s Application To The Non-Unionized Workforce” – The Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of California, Webinar (March 2014)

“Using the NLRA to Enforce the Rights of Non-Union Employees” – Plaintiff Magazine (April 2014)

“Dutra and the Future of Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public-Policy Claims” – Plaintiff Magazine (April 2013)

Commencement Speaker – Northeastern University School of Law (May 2009)