Emily T. Patajo, a partner in Akerman's Labor and Employment Practice Group, has been named to the Daily Journal/Cal Lawyer 2026 Top Labor and Employment Lawyers. The annual recognition highlights leading California attorneys devoted to labor and employment law — from complex litigation and workplace investigations to employer counseling — who have made a significant impact on the development of the field in the state.
Emily focuses her practice on employment litigation in state and federal courts and in binding arbitration, defending employers against claims involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour matters across industries including grocery, retail, technology, and healthcare. She also advises human resources and employee relations teams on workplace investigations, personnel management, and arbitration agreements, and represents employers before state agencies including the California Civil Rights Department and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Emily has earned consistent recognition for her work, including being recommended by The Legal 500 for Labor and Employment Disputes and named a Leader of Influence in Labor & Employment Attorneys by the Los Angeles Business Journal.