Derek Austin is an associate in the firm’s Litigation Group.  He focuses on all aspects of civil litigation, with particular expertise in representing business owners in contract and other business disputes.

Derek is an experienced litigator who advocates for his clients in the most expeditious and cost-effective manner possible.  He has expertise in the areas of business disputes, labor and employment matters, education law, personal injury, trust and probate disputes, unlawful detainer, appellate practice work and general civil litigation. 

Prior to entering the practice of law, Derek worked for almost twenty years in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  He now brings to his clients a deep understanding of a business owner’s specific struggles, sensitive to the need to reduce business risk and costs. Derek’s clients appreciate this insight and his broad range of legal and life experience.  He is committed to responsiveness and outstanding client service, remaining accessible to his clients at all times. 

Representative Matters

• Successfully represented a major government-owned Taiwanese corporation in a real estate dispute
  
  
• Represented an individual plaintiff in a catastrophic personal injury lawsuit arising out of a motorcycle vs. commercial vehicle accident
  
  
• On behalf of California school districts and charter schools handling various employment law matters
  
  

Professional Activities

While in law school, Derek Austin was honored with the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Business Organizations.  He is an active member of the American Bar and Santa Clara County Bar Associations.  Derek is a regular seminar lecturer in the area of employment law for business owners (Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training for Business Owner Compliance; Leave Requirements Under the Family Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act.) 

Admissions

Derek is admitted to practice law in all California courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and the U.S. 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals.