Overview

With experience that covers the full range of employment and labor law, Van Goodwin routinely defends employers in complex employment litigation in both state and federal courts, as well as in agency proceedings before the U. S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board and various California agencies responsible for the enforcement of California employment and labor relations laws.

He has extensive experience representing clients in matters involving:

  • Employment discrimination
  • Sexual harassment
  • Wrongful termination
  • Wage and hour (including prevailing wage laws)
  • Leaves of absence
  • Personnel / human resources issues

He also devotes a significant part of his practice to labor law involving:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Labor arbitrations
  • Union organizing
  • NLRB proceedings

Additionally, Van counsels and conducts training for employers in all aspects of employment and labor law, including:

  • Preventing employment discrimination and sexual harassment
  • Counter-union organizing
  • Lawful hiring and termination
  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Prevailing wage laws

He also frequently speaks on employment and labor relations issues before numerous national, state and local business and professional associations.

Van represents employers in a variety of industries, including:

  • Agriculture
  • Aerospace
  • Biotech
  • Computer software
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Employment staffing
  • Financial services
  • Home improvement
  • Hospitality
  • Laboratory research
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Office equipment and supply
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Print and news media
  • Property management
  • Multimedia
  • Real estate
  • Retail
  • Shipbuilding
  • Transportation
  • Warehouse and storage

Recognition

Awarded, AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2014-2019

Named, Top Lawyers

Wage and Hour

San Diego Magazine

2017-2019

Named, Top Lawyers

Labor and Employment

San Diego Magazine

2013-2016

Named, Top Rated Lawyer®

Labor & Employment Law

The American Lawyer & Martindale-Hubbell™

2013-2019

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2020-2024

Speaking Engagements

The 2021 California Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Update: From Inception and Beyond

The California Geotechnical Engineering Association Webinar

April 29, 2021

Critical Prevailing Wage Review For IRCC-Contractors As 2020 Bidding Season Heats Up

Client Webinar

March 11, 2020

National Association of Water Companies - California Prevailing Wage Law

Client Webinar

July 9, 2019

CA Prevailing Wage Law Breakfast Briefing

Riverside, CA

April 25, 2019

CA Prevailing Wage Law Breakfast Briefing

Irvine, CA

April 24, 2019

Mission Impossible MMXIX: Understanding The California Prevailing Wage Law

CalGeo Annual Conference

April 9, 2019

Stranger Things: New Developments in California Prevailing Wage Law for 2018

CalGeo Annual Conference

2018

CA Prevailing Wage Law Breakfast Briefing

CalGeo, San Diego

May 24, 2018

Commission Plans

Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

May 4, 2018

Understanding the California Prevailing Wage Law

CA Prevailing Wage Law Breakfast Briefing

2018

2017 CalGeo Annual Conference

Cal Geo, Hawaii

April 26, 2017

New Developments in California Prevailing Wage Law for 2017

Los Angeles, CA

April 11, 2017

New Developments in California Prevailing Wage Law for 2017

San Diego, CA

March 28, 2017

Law School for the CFO

The CFO Leadership Council, San Diego, CA

October 20, 2016

A Bouquet of New Employment and Labor Laws for 2016

CalGeo, Pasadena

April 15, 2016

Twenty Shades of Grey: The 2015 Labor and Employment Law Update

Annual Conference - The California Geotechnical Engineering Association, Carmel, CA

April 25, 2015

Weathering the Storm: California Prevailing Wage Law Compliance in 2015

Irvine, CA

April 2, 2015

The California Prevailing Wage Law in 2014: The Rules of the Game Have Changed (Again)

San Diego, CA

April 23, 2014

The California Prevailing Wage Law in 2014: The Rules of the Game Have Changed (Again)

Walnut Creek, CA

April 9, 2014

The California Prevailing Wage Law in 2014: The Rules of the Game Have Changed (Again)

San Jose, CA

April 8, 2014

Various Topics

Executive Employer Conference - Littler Mendelson

1985-2014

California Prevailing Wage Law: Six Things You'd Better Understand Before Beginning (or Continuing) Public Works Construction in California

Irvine, CA

September 12, 2012

California Prevailing Wage Law

Walnut Creek, CA

May 23, 2012

California Prevailing Wage Law

San Jose, CA

May 22, 2012

CalGeo Annual Conference

Maui

April 19, 2012

Workplace Bullying

Annual Meeting - National Academy of Arbitrators

May 28, 2011

The 2010 Seismic Update: Shifts In California Employment Law

CalGeo Annual Conference

2010

Employment Compliance Costs of Becoming a Government Contractor

January 13, 2010

Employment Law for the HR Practitioner

HR Certification Program - California State University at San Marcos

2008-2010

The Labor & Employment Compliance Costs of Federal Contracting

November 13, 2009

Big Bucks for Breaks: Meal and Rest Period Requirements for California Employers

August 29, 2007

The HFTP National and Club & Hotel Controllers Conference

March 20, 2006

Education

  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, 1980
  • B.A., California State University, Long Beach, 1977magna cum laude

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona