Michael J. Rossiter

Partner

Email: mrossiter@employerlaw.com

Michael J. Rossiter is a partner at Scott & Whitehead and is licensed to practice law in California and Utah. Mr. Rossiter represents and advises employers in all areas of employment law, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, employment agreements, wage and hour issues, and employment policies. Mr. Rossiter has represented employers in trials and appellate proceedings before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Notably, Mr. Rossiter has succeeded numerous times in getting cases dismissed before they even go to trial through summary judgment or similar methods. Mr. Rossiter is a creative problem solver who prides himself on exceptional client service.

While pursuing his law degree, Mr. Rossiter interned for U.S. District Judge, George P. Schiavelli and Assistant Attorney General for D.C., Carl J. Schifferle. Mr. Rossiter was the Symposium Editor for Chapman Law Review and was voted “Most Inspirational” by the class of 2008. In 2018, Mr. Rossiter was selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Southern California Rising Star. He is a graduate of the ABOTA Trial Advocacy Program and the OCBA College of Trial Advocacy and has volunteered his time as a high school mock trial coach, and attorney mentor. Mr. Rossiter currently serves as a member of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

Representative Matters 

• Lead trial attorney for an employer against an employee alleging sexual harassment and disability discrimination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Obtained a favorable jury verdict awarding the plaintiff only a nominal sum despite alleging a high six-figure damage claim.
• Lead trial attorney for an employer against an employee alleging racial discrimination and sexual harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the employer and sought costs against the plaintiff.
• Lead trial attorney for an employer against an alleged civil rights victim alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress. Obtained a favorable jury verdict awarding the plaintiff only a fraction of his lowest demand.
• Second-lead trial attorney for an employer against an employee alleging discrimination against military personnel under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Obtained a favorable jury verdict awarding only a fraction of the plaintiff’s claimed damages, saving the employer over $2 million.
• Second-lead trial attorney for an employer against an employee alleging race discrimination, retaliation, and harassment based on race under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the employer and sought costs against the employee.
• On behalf of the employer, prepared and argued a motion for summary judgment resulting in a dismissal of the plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim under both the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• On behalf of the employer, prepared and argued a motion for summary judgment resulting in a dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims for sexual harassment, retaliation, gender discrimination, and age discrimination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act as well as provisions of the California Labor Code.
• On behalf of the employer, prepared and argued a motion for summary judgment resulting in a dismissal of harassment and discrimination claims by multiple plaintiffs under the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• On behalf of the employer, prepared a motion for summary judgment resulting in a dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims for age discrimination and harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• On behalf of the employer, prepared an appellate brief resulting in an unfavorable ruling in the trial court being overturned, which effectively eliminated the plaintiff’s class action claims.

Admitted to Practice

• California, 2008
• Utah, 2016
  

Awards

• Southern California Rising Star

Education

• Chapman University Fowler School of Law
• J.D., 2008
• Brigham Young University
• B.A., 2003

Professional Memberships

• Orange County Bar Association
• J. Reuben Clark Law Society