Akerman Wage and Hour Practice Co-Chair Damien P. DeLaney has been named a 2026 Leader of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorney by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The annual recognition honors labor and employment attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, community leadership, and notable accomplishments in the Los Angeles legal community.
Damien is a seasoned employment litigator and advisor with 20 years of experience helping solve employment law problems for clients large and small across a wide array of industries. As Co-Chair of Akerman's national Wage and Hour Practice, he routinely represents employers in class actions and complex litigation matters, including wage and hour class actions, California Private Attorneys General Act actions, and Fair Credit Reporting Act class actions. He provides his clients with practical, business-focused advice on wage and hour compliance, workplace investigations, employee discipline and separations, and policy and procedure review.
Damien is also deeply committed to the community, serving on the board of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of South Los Angeles.
This honor reflects Damien's consistent recognition across the legal industry, including being listed among the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, named one of the Daily Journal's Top Labor & Employment Lawyers, and previously honored as a Los Angeles Business Journal Leader of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys and Leader of Influence: Minority Attorneys.