Daniel F. Pyne III

California

Lathrop GPM LLP
70 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
United States

Tel: 408.299.1392

Email: daniel.pyne@lathropgpm.com
Web: www.lathropgpm.com

Dan Pyne’s employment and labor law clients include businesses and executives in the technology, manufacturing, professional services, hospitality and agriculture industries, as well as nonprofit organizations. Dan has served as lead counsel for his clients in both state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

Dan advises and represents employers in a wide variety of matters, including:

  • Wrongful discharge
  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Wage and hour matters
  • Leaves of absence
  • Unfair competition and employee mobility (covenants not to compete and not to solicit)
  • Development and implementation of employment policies and procedures
  • Avoidance of litigation

Dan served as Co‑chair of the Employment & Labor Law Practice and Deputy Managing Shareholder for several years at legacy firm Hopkins Carley.

Education

  • University of California – Hastings (J.D.)
  • Santa Clara University (B.S., Economics)

Bar Admissions

  • California1987

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Recognitions

  • Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2025
  • Age discrimination/retaliation – Prevailed at trial on behalf of a financial services company in an age discrimination and retaliation suit filed by an employee who was terminated just one day after complaining to the Chief Executive Officer about age discrimination.
  • Unfair competition/employee mobility – Successfully defended two technology companies and three of their engineers in a case involving claims for more than $100 million based on alleged unfair competition and breach of non-solicitation covenants, negotiating a settlement that did not involve any payment by our clients.
  • Age discrimination and retaliation – Won summary judgment for a technology company in a lawsuit with 11 causes of action filed by a former manager who alleged age discrimination and retaliation.
  • Wage and hour class action – Defeated a motion to certify a class action lawsuit for violation of overtime laws filed by a group of truck drivers against a multi-state employer.
  • Unfair competition/employee mobility/covenant not to compete – Successfully opposed a motion for injunctive relief against our client, a Fortune 50 company, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of non-compete covenants for hiring two executives from a competitor, leading to a favorable resolution that enabled the executives to work in the roles for which they were hired.
  • Disability discrimination/reasonable accommodation – Successfully defended a national market research company against claims for discrimination and failure to provide reasonable accommodation, winning dismissal of both claims through a motion for summary judgment.
  • Breach of contract/retaliation – Represented an executive who was terminated following complaints about non-payment of incentive compensation, settling his claims on favorable terms on the eve of binding arbitration.
  • Unfair competition/trade secrets – Obtained temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in two separate jurisdictions on behalf of a leading financial services company after a regional sales representative shared proprietary and confidential data with competitors.
  • WARN Act/reduction in force – Successfully led a national manufacturer of semiconductor components manufacturer through a large workforce reduction without triggering the WARN Act or generating any claims from affected employees.
  • Wage and hour class action – Represented a West Coast petroleum distributor in a class action suit regarding misclassified employees. The case settled on terms that were favorable for our client.

Lathrop GPM employs proactive strategies and swift responsiveness to help businesses of all sizes grow, maintain, and protect a strong workforce.

Recognizing that employees are among a company’s greatest investments, Lathrop GPM draws on data—such as findings from the Gallup Business Journal, which indicate that organizations with a strong and engaged workforce experience greater productivity and profitability, even in challenging economic conditions. This holds true for a wide range of clients, including privately held growth-stage companies, mission-driven nonprofits, health care organizations with affiliate networks and physician partners, higher education institutions, and global manufacturing enterprises.

When it comes to protecting workforce investments, minimizing risk, and positioning companies for maximum productivity and profitability, the experienced labor and employment attorneys at Lathrop GPM are equipped to provide strategic guidance and legal support.

Lathrop GPM is a full-service Am Law 200 law firm with nearly 360 attorneys and legal professionals across 14 offices nationwide. With a presence from coast to coast, the firm is well-positioned to respond quickly to clients’ needs at local, state, and national levels. Lathrop GPM advises businesses, organizations, and individuals on growth strategies, risk management, and forward-looking legal solutions that support long-term success.

The firm represents clients whose work drives the economy—companies that run manufacturing plants, build infrastructure, advance medical research, create employment opportunities, and supply energy. Lathrop GPM works side by side with these clients, embedding itself within their operations to understand the broader business context. This integrated approach enables the firm to deliver strategic legal counsel that goes beyond daily matters and prepares clients for future challenges.

Client service is the cornerstone of Lathrop GPM’s practice. The firm is dedicated to helping clients seize opportunities, navigate obstacles, and thrive in competitive markets. With significant industry experience in health care and life sciences, franchise and distribution, agribusiness, manufacturing, and higher education, Lathrop GPM prioritizes enduring client relationships over individual transactions—partnering for long-term success.