Danielle Ochs

Danielle Ochs is an equity shareholder in the San Francisco office of Ogletree Deakins. She serves as Co-Chair Emeritus of the firm’s Technology Practice Group and focuses on matters arising in the TECHPLACE^TM. She has 30 years of experience representing an array of “tech” employers, as well as employers in a range of other local, national, and international industries, including higher education. In the last six years, Danielle has focused on artificial intelligence (AI) governance and the responsible use of AI in the workplace, including the use of automated employment decision tools (AEDTs), AI-transcription technology, HR chatbots, AI agents, and the use of other emerging technologies in the workplace. Danielle regularly speaks across the country and blogs on a range of employment and employment-based technology issues. Check out her latest Insights below. In addition to her focus on emerging technology in the workplace, Danielle’s experience includes successfully defending employers in both jury and bench trials and in arbitration proceedings in the areas of employment law, trade secrets and unfair competition, and technology in the workplace. She works closely with her clients to develop effective strategies for litigating and resolving legal actions, approaching each case zealously and strategically with a steadfast commitment to client service.

More About Danielle Ochs

Experience

(2025) Alameda County Superior Court – Secured summary adjudication of novel PAGA-based sexual harassment claim against tech company
(2024) JAMS – Obtained complete defense award on 1102.5 retaliation clams by, and counterclaims against, engineer who stole tech company trade secrets
(2023) JAMS – Obtained complete defense award on sex harassment and retaliation clams by tech company assembly line worker who assaulted a co-worker
(2019) 9^thCircuit Court of Appeal – Argued claims against tech company arising under 42 USC Section 1981 subject to mandatory arbitration (matter of first impression)
(2019) JAMS – Obtained complete defense award of race harassment and retaliation claims by tech company assembly line worker who engaged in same conduct complained of
(2019) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Secured summary judgment in time-barred action alleging plaintiff was terminated because of age, disability, and race
(2018) United States District Court, N. D. Cal. – Secured partial summary judgment of sex harassment and retaliation claims in action alleging plaintiff (an alleged harasser) was treated less favorably than other alleged harassers because of sex
(2018) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Obtained 12(b)(6) dismissal of 1981 claim in action against tech company alleging such claims exempt from arbitration
(2017) United States District Court, E.D. Cal. – Secured order compelling arbitration of e-signed arbitration agreement
(2017) Alameda County Superior Court – Secured order compelling arbitration of FEHA claims
(2016) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Obtained 12(b)(6) dismissal of action against defense contractor alleging fraud and retaliation
(2015) 9th Circuit Court of Appeal – Argued writ review of enforceability of forum selection clause in light of Supreme Court’s decision in Atlantic Marine
(2015) United States District Court, E.D. Cal. – Secured temporary restraining order (leading to stipulated preliminary injunction) in trade secret misappropriation action
(2014) Eldorado County Superior Court – Favorably resolved highly contentious trade secret, employee raiding action
(2014) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Secured 10-year permanent injunction in highly contentious semiconductor trade secret action
(2013) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Secured summary judgment of FEHA medical condition and leave retaliation claim alleged by former radio executive
(2013) San Francisco County Superior Court – First-chaired matter set for jury trial in age discrimination action alleged by radio personality. Favorably settled day before trial
(2013) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Secured dissolution of preliminary injunction in contentious trade secret dispute in language interpretation industry
(2013) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Obtained dismissal of unfair competition action by former sports agent – secured arbitration of employer’s cross-claims
(2013) California Supreme Court – Led appellate briefing on petition for review of decision denying motion to compel arbitration
(2012) Alameda County Superior Court – Secured summary judgment of FEHA disability discrimination action alleged by former bus driver
(2012) California Court of Appeals, 2nd App. Dist. – Argued defense appeal of denial of motion to compel FEHA discrimination claims. Reversal granted
(2011) San Mateo County Superior Court – First-chaired seven figure contract dispute between television stations. Plaintiff dismissed with prejudice day before trial
(2010) Santa Clara County Superior Court – Secured terminating sanctions and six figure default judgment in trade secrets cross-action against former employee
(2010) San Francisco AAA – Obtained defense arbitration monetary award in commission compensation dispute and cross-claim under complex compensation plan
(2009) San Francisco AAA – Obtained defense arbitration decision in commission compensation dispute under complex compensation plan
(2009) San Mateo County Superior Court – Limited plaintiff’s jury verdict to $65k (no emotional distress) in seven figure pregnancy discrimination action by TV manager
(2008) San Mateo County Superior Court – Co-chaired jury trial in sex discrimination action by television shipping assistant. Settled day of trial
(2008) California Court of Appeals, 1st App. Dist. – Led appellate briefing in multi-plaintiff race discrimination/harassment suit. Defense jury verdict affirmed
(2008) Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal – Secured summary judgment and led appellate briefing in race discrimination claim. Summary judgment granted and affirmed
(2007) Alameda County Superior Court – Obtained defense jury verdict in disability discrimination action by long-term public employee
(2007) United States District Court, N.D. Cal. – Obtained defense decision in disability discrimination bench trial
(2007) California Court of Appeals, 6th App. Dist. – Argued appeal of defense jury verdict in wrongful demotion/discipline/defamation action. Jury verdict affirmed
(2007) Alameda County Superior Court – First-chaired jury trial involving disability discrimination claim by public employee – obtained defense verdict
(2005) Santa Clara County Superior Court – Obtained defense jury verdict in wrongful demotion/discipline/defamation action by computer engineer
(1998) San Diego County Superior Court – Obtained 1.2 million plaintiff’s jury verdict in partnership dispute by disenfranchised partner

Education & Admission

Professional Activities

Speeches

Workplace Strategies Seminar (moderator) – “AI Governance: Planning for Responsible AI Use in the Workplace” – Austin – May 15, 2026
Workplace Strategies Seminar (moderator) – “AI Legal Pulse: Essential Updates for Employers” – Austin – May 15, 2026
Navigating California Employment Law – “AI in the Workplace—Ensuring Compliance and Balancing Risks” – Napa – March 13, 2026
Ogletree Deakins Briefing – “New Executive Order Challenging State AI Laws: How Will Employers Be Impacted?” – December 16, 2025
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “When Algorithms Make the Call: Employment Law in the AI Era” – November 7, 2025
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Bias Audits: Meeting California’s AI Regulations and Emerging National Standards” – October 30, 2025
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Keeping Current in California With Leslie and Charles” – October 17, 2025
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “California’s New AI Employment Law Takes Effect October 1—Are You Ready?” – September 29, 2025
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2025: The AI-Powered Workplace of Today and Tomorrow” – May 16, 2025
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “The AI-Powered Workplace of Today and Tomorrow” – Las Vegas – April 25, 2025
Navigating California Employment Law – “California Grapples With AI and Privacy Regulation: What’s the Latest?” – Napa – March 7, 2025
SparkEffect – “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on HR Practices and the Workplace” – October 21, 2024
Strafford Webinar – “Artificial Intelligence: The Latest on AI Tools and Issues in the Workplace” – August 20, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Artificial Intelligence: The Latest on AI Tools and Issues in the Workplace” – Washington, D.C. – May 2, 2024
National Employment Law Council 29th Annual Conference – “A.I. In The Law: Is It Revolutionizing the Practice or Simply Creating More Liabilities?” – Chicago – May 1, 2024
Ogletree Deakins TECHPLACE™ Conference (at SXSW) – Various Talks on AI in Employment – March 8, 2024
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Artificial Intelligence: The Latest on AI Tools, ChatGPT, and Other Generative AI in the Workplace” – Phoenix – November 10, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “California’s New Noncompete Notice Requirements: What You Need to Know” – November 1, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Keeping Current in California With Leslie and Charles” – August 30, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2023: TECHPLACE™ Talk—ChatGPT, Biometrics, and AI? Oh My!” – June 9, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “ChatGPT, Biometrics, and AI? Oh My!” – San Diego – May 12, 2023
Navigating California Employment Law – “Workplace Tech Tips and Traps for California Employers” – Napa – March 2, 2023
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Eye on AI: Utilizing Compliant Artificial Intelligence in Hiring” – Colorado Springs – September 23, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “The EEOC’s New Guidance on the Use of Software, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence: What Employers Need to Know” – May 20, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Workplace Tech Tips and Traps: Achieving Business Objectives While Staying Compliant” – Phoenix – May 4, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Keeping Current in California With Charles and Leslie” – April 27, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Avoiding Technology Traps in 2022: Key Issues for Employers” – March 18, 2022
Navigating California Employment Law – ““Headline News”: The Latest Developments in California Employment Law” – Napa – March 3, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “TECHPLACE™ Regulation in 2022: What Tech Employers and Users Should Expect” – January 21, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “A-I Powered Deepfakes: What Employers Need to Know” – Austin – June 25, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Talk: New United States and European Union Guidance Relating to Update on Regulation of Artificial Intelligence” – June 2, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Talk: AI and Emerging Technologies” – March 26, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Talk: The Future of Work—A Global Perspective on the Impact of the Pandemic” – November 17, 2020
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “AI, the Right Way: Avoiding Employment Discrimination With Artificial Intelligence” – November 12, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – ” TECHPLACE™ Talk: Political Speech, Social Media, and Off-Duty Employee Conduct—The Trending Risks of Digital Reputational Damage” – September 15, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Talk: How the FTC’s Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms Impacts Employers” – August 25, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Talk: Digital Contact Tracing Solutions to Slow the Spread of COVID-19” – August 10, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Virtual Conference – “The Accelerated Future of Workplace Technology: AI-Enabled Hiring, Wearable Monitoring, and Automation in the COVID-19 Era” – May 15, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Special Edition TECHPLACE™ Tickler: Legal Associate Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic” – May 7, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Tickler: Tech Industry Immigration during COVID-19” – May 5, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Tickler: The Challenges of Taking Remote Depositions” – April 30, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Tickler: Cybersecurity and Privacy in the Remote Workplace – Best Practices for Securing your Data and Technology” – April 17, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Tickler: The Expanding Importance of eSignatures in the Remote Workplace – Best Practices for Compliance” – April 14, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “TECHPLACE™ Tickler: eDiscovery Challenges in a Remote Work Environment” – April 3, 2020
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Full Disclosure: The Latest Litany of Laws on Sexual Harassment” – New Orleans – November 15, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Headline News – Key Developments Impacting Employers” – Las Vegas – May 2, 2019
National Employment Law Council Annual Meeting – “Protecting the Brand: Communications Strategies For Employers In Crisis” – San Diego – April 2019
Ogletree Deakins Navigating California Employment Law Seminar – “Discrimination and Harassment in the #MeToo Era: Complying With California’s Web of Prevention Requirements” – Napa – March 1, 2019
National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section Annual Conference – “The IP in the Machine: Protecting AI-Related Innovation” – Washington, D.C. – February 2019
ACC-SFBA Labor & Employment Committee Meeting – “A Year End Review of California Employment Law in Light of #MeToo and Other Significant California Trends” – San Francisco – December 2018
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Hairpin Turns and Potholes in Investigations – What Would You Do?” – La Quinta – November 2018
California Employment Law Council Annual Meeting – “Effective Mediation and Settlement Techniques” – Irvine – November 2018
ACC Annual Meeting – “The Business Consequences of Bad Behavior” – Austin – October 2018
ACC Foundation Annual Meeting – “‘Conflict – Seven Tips for Managing It’ & ‘Delegation: The Cornerstone to Building Your Personal Pyramid'” – Austin – October 2018
Northern District of California Judicial Conference – “Rights & Remedies: The Latest in Workplace Sexual Harassment” – Napa – April 2018
BASF Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Conference – “Year in Review” – Yosemite – January 2018
Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Emerging Issues in Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets Law” – Boca Raton – November 2017
Kern County Society of Human Resource Professionals – “Position Yourself Now in the Event You Get Sued Later” – Fresno – October 2017
13th Annual Corporate Counsel Women of Color – “Who Stole my Origination Credits” – New Orleans – September 2017
ACC Compliance Day – “Confidentiality Agreements – Under Attack – But Still Relevant!” – Burlingame – May 2017
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Panel Discussion: It’s Going to Be Huge! The Trump Administration and Employers” – San Diego – May 2017
Ogletree Deakins Navigating California Employment Law Seminar – “Position Yourself Now in the Event You Get Sued Later” – Napa – March 2017
National Bar Association Commercial Law Section – “How to Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 Affects Your Employment Agreements” – Dana Point – February 2017
12th Annual Corporate Counsel Women of Color – “The 10 Marketing & Advertising Issues Every Lawyer Should Know” – Las Vegas – September 2016
State Bar of California – Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Meeting – “Retaliation Claims: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You” – Berkeley – April 2016
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “The Perils of the Digitally Integrated Employee” – Chicago, New York City, Raleigh, Dallas – March 2016
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Data Management, Records Retention, and E-Discovery – The Importance of Document Management and Records Retention in “E-Discovery” – San Francisco – October 2014
Ogletree Deakins Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive Seminar – “Modernizing the ‘White Collar’ Overtime Regulations: Back to the Future” – Dana Point – September 2014
National Bar Association (NBA) – “Jeopardy in the Workplace” – Atlanta – July 2014
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Drug Policy Rehab: The Straight and Narrow on Legal Marijuana” – New Orleans – May 2014
National Employment Law Counsel (NELC) – “Workplace Bullying – When the Mean Kids Show up at Work” – San Francisco – April 2014
Ogletree Deakins California Cabernet Seminar – “California Workplace Investigations – So Much More than Just the Facts” – Napa – March 2014
NBA Gertrude Rush Mid-Year Meeting – “Mixed Motive Theory (Harris v. City of Santa Monica)” – Dana Point – Spring 2013
NBA Commercial Law Section – “Employment Law Update” – San Francisco – February 2013
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Employment Law Litigation, New Claims and Trends” – Phoenix – May 2012
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Suddenly, Federal Law is Relevant Again” – San Francisco – October 2011
Bridgeport Continuing Education – “Taking & Defending Depositions” – San Francisco – July 2011
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Conducting Successful Workplace Investigations” – Chicago – May 2011
ABA’s 4th Annual Labor & Employment Law Pre-Conference – “Taking on the Yoke: Women and Minorities as Leaders of National Legal Associations” – Chicago – November 2010
National Labor and Employment Law Developments – “Avoiding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” – San Francisco – October 2010
NBA Annual Convention – “Jeopardy in the Workplace” – New Orleans – August 2010
NBA Annual Convention – “Meet the EEOC” (moderator)” – New Orleans – August 2010
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Conducting Successful Workplace Investigations” – Las Vegas – May 2010
Black Women Lawyers Survival Series – “How to (Not Just) Survive a Law Firm” – San Francisco – April 2010
NBA Labor & Employment Law Section 3rd Annual CLE Conference – “Coordinator and Luncheon Speaker” – Atlanta – March 2010

Published Works

Media Quotes

April 7, 2026 – HR Brew – “Overwhelmed by applications, recruiters turn to AI pre-screening tools to winnow down applications”
March 20, 2026 – Bloomberg Law – “AI Legal Risks Abound Despite Trump’s Push for Federal Policy”
February 26, 2026 – Bloomberg Government – “California Unions Lobby for Passage of Workplace AI Restrictions”
December 22, 2025 – Bloomberg Law – “Employers Battle False Sense of Security on AI Disparate Impact”
December 18, 2025 – HRMorning – “Trump Signs Executive Order to Block State AI Laws: What HR Needs to Know”
November 21, 2025 – Bloomberg Law – “AI Liability Risks Mute Impact of Trump’s State-Law Targeting”
September 30, 2025 – Lexology PRO – “New California regulations banning AI discrimination take effect on 1 October”
September 19, 2025 – Law360 – “4 Things To Know About Calif. Workplace AI Oversight Bill”
July 9, 2025 – HR Executive – “State AI regulation ban nixed. What it means for employers, tech firms”
July 3, 2025 – Fortune – “Congress just backed off an AI regulation moratorium—Here’s how states like California are trying to regulate ‘robo bosses’ at work”
May 1, 2025 – SHRM – “Regulations to Ban Discriminatory AI Systems in California Move Ahead”
March 25, 2025 – Portobello Legal Media – “No Robo Bosses law to protect Californians from AI decision-making”
January 3, 2025 – Law360 – “AI Regulatory Landscape In Flux As Calendar Turns To 2025”
January 3, 2025 – SHRM – “CA Legislator to Revive AI Anti Discrimination Bill in 2025”
December 1, 2023 – Business Insurance – “Noncompete bans put employers on notice”
July 17, 2023 – Atlanta Business Chronicle – “AI applications in the workplace — and how to avoid technology traps (podcast)”
February 15, 2023 – Law360 – “As Workplace Surveillance Rises, Lawmakers Are Taking Note”
January 20, 2023 – Law 360 – “2nd Circ. Case Has Lessons For Attys About Digital Evidence”
January 20, 2021 – Law360 – “5 Tips For Curbing Bias Risk When Using AI For Hiring”
November 6, 2019 – Human Resource Executive – “Employ workers in California? Review your arbitration agreement”
October 17, 2018 – Law360 – “Calif. Ruling Hamstrings NCAA’s Ability To Sanction Coaches”
August 20, 2018 – SHRM Online – “When Employees Leave: Make Sure Trade Secrets Are Protected”
September 15, 2017 – Law360 – “Tech Industry’s Bias Complaints Not Letting Up Anytime Soon”
January 30, 2015 – Law360 – “Minority Powerbrokers Q&A: Ogletree's Danielle Ochs”
November 3, 2011 – San Francisco Daily Journal – “Juries Shift Sympathies to Workers”