Thomas E. Daugherty

Shareholder

Executive Profile

Thomas E. Daugherty is a Shareholder in Klinedinst PC’s San Diego office. Mr. Daugherty litigates and counsels clients in employment law, professional liability, and commercial litigation. He brings integrity, vigorous advocacy, and a tenacious work ethic to provide unique solutions to each and every client. His demeanor and approachability keep clients coming back for more, when legal needs arise.

Particularly in employment law, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Seemingly small violations can quickly turn into major headaches, including individual litigation and class action lawsuits. To avoid these problems, Mr. Daugherty regularly counsels employers on best practices, policies and multifaceted human resources issues. He keeps clients up to date on new developments in California and federal employment law, from wage and hour issues to discrimination and retaliation protections. He also crafts employee handbooks, company policies, arbitration and severance agreements, and ensures clients’ existing documents are up to date with current state and federal laws.

Where litigation has been filed, Mr. Daugherty has developed a well-earned reputation for resolving many cases early on, prior to extensive discovery. However, every case is unique. When cases cannot be resolved early in the process, he works with clients at each stage of the process to manage costs and expectations and develop the best litigation strategy possible. He delivers legal excellence, and regularly resolves complex litigation through tough negotiations, mediation, and dispositive motions.

Mr. Daugherty is a regular contributor to the Klinedinst Employment Group Newsletter and has been featured in USLAW Magazine. He graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Prior to law school, Mr. Daugherty worked as an actor, playing roles on national tours and in regional and Chicago-area theatres. He performed at the Kennedy Center, the Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare, among others, and was an active member of Actors’ Equity Association, the stage actors’ union. Appearing frequently on stage helped Mr. Daugherty develop the skill set needed to effectively appear on behalf of clients in a courtroom.

A Southern California transplant from Chicago, Mr. Daugherty enjoys running, soccer, the beach and the theatre.

Education

  • University of Michigan (B.F.A., with honors, 1992)
  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2007)

Awards, Professional and Community Involvement

Professional and Community Affiliations

Recognition and Awards

Speaking Engagements

  • “Remote Work: HR & the Law,” Provisors San Diego Human Capital Affinity Group (April 21, 2021)
  • “AB-5 Panel,” North County Business Chamber Economic Development Council (February 4, 2021)
  • “Employment Law Update 2021,” Klinedinst Webinar (December 6, 2020)
  • “Employment Law Can Make or Break Your Bottom Line,” The FENG (June 4, 2019)
  • “2019 Employment Law Update,” CBIZ, Controller’s Council: HR Updates (February 20, 2019)
  • “Dynamex Decision,” North San Diego Business Chamber Economic Development and Advocacy Advisory Council Meeting (April 4, 2019)
  • “2019 Labor Law Changes and Challenges,” North San Diego Business Chamber (November 26, 2018)
  • “Employment Law Update: Best Practices,” Community Defender Organization (October 23, 2018)
  • “Independent Contractors and Veterinary Medicine: Can We Make it Work?,” SCVMA Tele-Seminar (June 5, 2018)
  • “2018 Employment Law Update,” CBIZ Symposium (February 21, 2018)
  • “New & Different: 2018 California Employment Law Update,” Klinedinst Webinar (December 19, 2017 & February 6, 2018)
  • “New & Different: 2018 California Employment Law Update,” San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (November 15, 2017)
  • “Effective Internal Workplace Investigations,” Klinedinst Webinar (November 7 & 8, 2017)
  • “Negotiation Strategies,” North San Diego Business Chamber (May 4, 2017)
  • “2017 HR Update,” CBIZ (February 22, 2017)
  • “2016 Employment Law Update,” San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (November 16, 2016)
  • Keynote Speaker, “Understanding the New Fair Labor Standards Act,” FSLA Wage Forum, North San Diego Business Chamber (July 20, 2016)
  • “Navigating the Complex Currents of Federal and California Disability,” Klinedinst Webinar (April 19 & April 21, 2016)
  • “Class Dismissed! Stopping Class Action Lawsuits Before They Happen,” Klinedinst Webinar (August 11 & August 13, 2015)
  • “Employment Discrimination,” Annual Federal Defender Administrative Officer Conference (July 28, 2015)
  • “Legal Malpractice Risk Management,” Continuing Legal Education session (July 24, 2012)

Publications

  • “An Employer’s Guide to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” USLAW Magazine (April, 2013)

Related News

Admissions


  • California (2010)

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California (2012)

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California (2012)

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California (2014)

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (2014)

Practice Areas

Contact