Danielle Ochs
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Description of field of expertise
Danielle Ochs is an equity shareholder in the San Francisco office of Ogletree Deakins, P.C. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s Technology Practice Group and focuses on matters arising in the TECHPLACETM. She has 25 years of experience representing employers in matters involving employment issues and employment-based technology, trade secrets, and unfair competition in federal and state trial and appellate courts, arbitration, and administrative agencies. Ms. Ochs’ experience includes successfully defending employers in both jury and bench trials and in arbitration proceedings. She currently dedicates a significant portion of her practice to trial court litigation, arbitration, and strategic conflict management. She works closely with her clients to develop effective strategies for litigating and resolving legal actions, approaching each case zealously and strategically with a steadfast commitment to client service. Ms. Ochs also has active advice and counsel, training, and investigations practices, working closely with employers on a variety of employment and employment-based technology, trade secret, and unfair competition compliance issues with the goal of avoiding litigation. She represents an array of “tech” employers, as well as employers in a broad array of other local, national, and international industries. Ms. Ochs regularly speaks across the country on a range of employment, and employment-based technology, trade secret and unfair competition issues.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
Whether litigating, negotiating, training, or personnel goal setting, I have found that planning, preparation, and organization (with a large dose of flexibility) have been key to meeting my goals. Planning allows me to crystallize my objectives and make sure I’m clear on the desired outcome. Preparation helps lay out the steps needed to meet the objective. Organization keeps me on task and able to execute each step. Flexibility helps me respond to changing conditions or goals. In sum, as you start any project or journey, know where you want to go, think about how to get there, go for it (most important step!), and be ready to pivot when needed.
Final thoughts…
In 2018, Ms. Ochs was named a “Most Influential Black Lawyer” by Savoy Magazine; in 2019 she was inducted into the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers; and more recently she was recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2021).