JULY 22, 2025 – Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is pleased to welcome Ben Gipson, who joins the firm's nationally recognized employment services team as a partner in Los Angeles. He's the fifth lateral partner to join the team in California in the past 18 months.
Ben brings to the firm more than 20 years of litigation and complex class action experience, most recently at DLA Piper, where he practiced for more than a decade. He advises clients through all stages of their development, with a focus on the technology, media, sports, and entertainment sectors, and with particular expertise in solving employment issues arising from M&A transactions.
"California continues to be an epicenter for employment law action and statutory change," said Laura Sack, co-chair of DWT's employment services group. "I'm delighted to bring on such a seasoned litigator and counselor to help our clients navigate these workforce issues that are so critical to their success."
"Ben's considerable experience with clients in the tech, entertainment, and media industries is well aligned with our firm's strategic focus on those industry verticals," said practice co-chair Mark Berry. "And his affinity for deal work will support the growth in transactional matters that our firm is handling for clients in California."
"In addition to his substantive excellence, Ben is a great fit for us from a values standpoint," said Julie Capell, Los Angeles partner-in-charge. "He is a client-first, firm-first, colleagues-first type of senior lawyer, who takes seriously the responsibility to mentor, train and develop others, and to deliver top-notch client service. He also places high value on providing pro bono services and on cultivating an inclusive and respectful work environment. I really look forward to his contributions to our firm culture."
Ben defends employers in wage and hour class actions, WARN class actions, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, breach of employment contract, unlawful business practices, state and federal whistleblowing, traditional labor disputes, and other employment-related cases. He has experience advocating for clients before agencies that include the California Civil Rights Department, the EEOC, the California Labor Commissioner, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, OSHA, and in state and federal courts. The Los Angeles Business Journal has twice recognized him as among its Leaders of Influence: Labor and Employment Lawyers.
"I'm thrilled to join the outstanding group at DWT," said Ben. "The firm has a smart strategic plan in California and a platform that supports growth and collaboration. They also uphold strong values along the way. I am eager to bring my clients the benefits of this forward-thinking firm."
At DLA Piper, Ben was a member of the pro bono committee and an honoree in the firm's annual awards for pro bono service. He has a long record of assisting nonprofit organizations throughout the West Coast in all aspects of employment law compliance, including the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, where he is a longtime member of the HR committee.
Ben received his B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He began his legal career as an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Seyfarth Shaw, and Winston & Strawn LLP.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. The firm's employment team is one of the largest in the country, with 120 lawyers in the Pacific Northwest, California, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Alaska, including 12 fellows of the College of Labor and Employment Law. Learn more at www.dwt.com.