Overview

Michael G. Pedhirney focuses on the representation of management in all aspects of labor and employment law, including:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Matters before the National Labor Relations Board
  • Harassment and discrimination
  • Wrongful termination
  • Wage and hour issues

Appearing in state and federal courts, he handles jury and bench trials, as well as administrative hearings before the National Labor Relations Board, and the California Labor Commissioner. He has specific experience with claims arising under:

  • Title VII
  • The National Labor Relations Act
  • The California Labor Code
  • The California Fair Employment and Housing Act

Michael also represents employers in contract negotiations, collective bargaining, appellate matters, and arbitration and mediation.  He assists clients with compliance counseling. He often works with the following types of companies:

  • Food supply chain
  • Retail
  • Restaurants
  • Transportation
  • Energy
  • Non-profit organizations

Michael is a member of Littler’s Associates Committee.  He also served on the San Francisco office’s Hiring Committee and as the Chair of the San Francisco office’s Summer Associates Committee.

Michael also has worked with Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI) with regard to legislative and regulatory developments in labor and employment law.

While attending law school, Michael worked as an extern at the Associate Regional Solicitor's Office for the Department of Labor and at a law firm in Houston handling labor and employment disputes. He also served as an associate notes and comments editor for the Washington Law Review.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

American Bar Association

Member, Board of Directors

Ability Now Bay Area

News, Analysis & Press

New Joint-Employer Rule Would Be a Reversal for NLRB

Human Resource Executive

September 18, 2018

Strategic Initiatives for the World at Work

Littler Report

April 1, 2005

Books & Book Chapters

  • Chapter 2, Employment Contracts and Executive Compensation, Advising California Employers and Employees, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
  • Chapter 9, Notice-Posting, Training and Recordkeeping Requirements, Advising California Employers and Employees, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), 2016-2017
  • Chapter 3, Employment Contracts, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
  • Littler on Union Organizing, The Littler National Employer Series
  • Littler on Collective Bargaining, The Littler National Employer Series
  • Chapter 6 Co-Contributor, The Developing Labor Law, Seventh Edition

Speaking Engagements

Bay Area Breakfast Briefing Series - Mountain View

January 10, 2019

A New Era of Compliance: Labor Peace Agreements and Proposition 65

California Cannabis Industry Association Conference, Anaheim, CA

October 23, 2018

Labor Relations and Negotiating the Labor Peace Agreement

California Cannabis Industry Association Conference, Anaheim, CA

September 22, 2017

Practical Tips to Navigating the Obama Administration’s Labor Agenda for Union and Non-Union Employers

The 2014 Executive Employer® Conference

Littler Mendelson, Phoenix, AZ

May 9, 2014

New Employment and Labor Laws for 2014 and 2015

San Francisco, CA

February 11, 2014

Education

  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2004
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame, 2001magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia