Heart of Employment is the California workers’ guide to understanding rights at work, straight from the lawyers who know them best. Every episode, we sit down with experienced California employment attorneys from D.Law to break down the workplace issues that matter most: wrongful termination, pay and overtime issues, discrimination, retaliation, and all the other things your boss hopes you don’t know.
Whether you’re navigating a toxic work environment, facing harassment, or just want to be empowered with knowledge, this podcast gives you real legal insights in plain English. No legalese, no fluff. Just honest, actionable conversations to help you protect yourself and others at work.
Got a question about your rights? Email us at heart@d.law and we might cover it in a future episode.
In this episode of Heart of Employment, Supervising Attorney Samuel Hauser breaks down how California employees can better understand and protect their rights in the workplace.
Samuel discusses reasonable accommodations and who may qualify for them, from physical conditions to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. He explains what employers are expected to do when an accommodation is requested and some of the red flags employees should look out for during the process.
The conversation also covers retaliation, whistleblower protections, harassment, constructive termination, and why documenting workplace interactions can be so important. Samuel shares practical tips for creating a record of conversations with HR or management and explains why employees shouldn't assume their employer is documenting everything for them.
From requesting an accommodation to speaking up about workplace violations, this episode is about knowing your rights, documenting what happens, and protecting yourself when something at work doesn't feel right.
16 Jun 2026
Why Your Story Matters with Arsiné Grigoryan
In this episode of Heart of Employment, host Dave sits down with Senior Counsel Arsiné Grigoryan to explore one of the most misunderstood areas of employment law: class action lawsuits.
Arsiné explains why class actions matter, what employees should do when they receive a notice in the mail, and how even seemingly small workplace violations can add up to significant claims when workers come together. From missed meal breaks and off-the-clock work to unpaid time spent responding to after-hours texts, she breaks down the wage and hour violations employees often don't realize they're experiencing.
The conversation also covers a critical topic many workers worry about: what happens when a lawyer contacts you about a class action case, and whether participating can put your job at risk.
If you've ever wondered whether your workplace is following the law—or if you've received a class action notice and weren't sure what to do next—this episode will help you understand your rights and why every employee's story matters.
20 Jan 2026
Building Company Culture with Edgar Davtyan
In Episode 5 of Heart of Employment, host Dave sits down with Edgar Davtyan, Director of Business Affairs at D.Law, for a wide-ranging conversation on what company culture really means — and why it’s more than just perks and mission statements.
Edgar shares how his background in advertising shaped his approach to law firm culture, how intentional design (of space, policy, and leadership) builds community, and why love, respect, and treating people like humans first are non-negotiable values in today’s workplace.
Topics include:
Why culture is a set of unspoken and spoken rules
The case for in-office work in a hybrid world
How architecture, food, and art shape employee experience
Rethinking work-life balance, vacation policies, and care at scale
What to look for in a job — and how to stand out as a candidate
This one’s for the employees, the managers, and the culture-builders. If you care about how it feels to work somewhere, you’ll want to hear this.
8 Dec 2025
Class Actions with Emil Davtyan (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our class action deep dive, we welcome back D.Law Founder and Managing Attorney Emil Davtyan to continue unpacking the power — and the complexity — behind group lawsuits in the workplace.
This episode answers the next wave of questions:
How many people are really needed to bring a class action?
Do you need to do anything to receive a settlement?
How long does it take to get paid — and why?
What’s the deal with arbitration agreements?
And… do lawyers really take all the money?
From breaking down legal myths to explaining why class reps can’t just “cash out,” Emil gives workers the facts they need to understand what’s at stake — and how class actions work from the inside.
Whether you’re part of a class or just curious how these cases unfold, this episode lays it all out.
17 Nov 2025
Class Actions with Emil Davtyan (Part 1)
In this episode of Heart of Employment, we’re joined by D.Law Founder and Managing Attorney Emil Davtyan to unpack one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — tools in employment law: the class action lawsuit.
Emil breaks down what class actions are, how they work, and why they exist — especially for employees with claims too small to justify a lawsuit on their own. He explains the role of class members vs. class representatives, how bonuses are awarded, what industries are most affected, and whether workers still employed can safely participate.
From lunch break violations to unpaid time spent putting on PPE, these cases can start small — but lead to serious impact.
If you’ve ever thought “$900 isn’t worth the hassle” or wondered whether joining a class action is risky, this one’s for you.
20 Oct 2025
The Line Between Wrong and Illegal with Adam Sherman
What actually counts as illegal in the workplace — and what’s just… unpleasant? In this episode of Heart of Employment, host Dave sits down with Senior Counsel Adam Sherman to break down the difference between bad behavior and unlawful conduct.
From common misconceptions about harassment and retaliation to what “wrongful termination” really means, Adam explains why so many people think they have a legal case — and why many don’t. He also shares a powerful client story involving constructive termination, and explains how a strong paper trail can make or break your case.
If you’ve ever thought, “This can’t be legal…” — this episode is for you.
9 Sept 2025
The Law Is On Your Side with Brandon Ruiz
In the debut episode of Heart of Employment, host Dave Abed sits down with D.Law employment attorney Brandon Ruiz to unpack the messy reality of workplace violations in California. With over 16 years in the field, Brandon shares why employment law drew him in, what companies get wrong most often, and why they rarely admit fault - even when caught.
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