Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and a co-leader of the firm's Corporate Diversity Counseling practice group. Combining an MBA-level understanding of business with core emotional intelligence and empathy, Michael’s multidisciplinary practice is built on listening, collaboration and—above all—focused on achieving clients’ goals.

Understanding that clients are facing increasing calls from internal and external stakeholders to proactively address DEI and ESG across their business, Michael works with clients to balance today’s complex web of decisions, laws and interests with varying legal, reputational and litigation risk with the often-competing demands for greater transparency. Michael’s training includes a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University and a yoga certification from the Niroga Institute in Berkeley where he studied yoga, mindfulness, and meditation and which he leverages to motivate employers to create workplaces where both employees and business thrive in unison. Michael assists clients in developing and implementing goal-driven, legally compliant DEI initiatives using current best practices, neuroscience, adult learning, experiential learning, dialogue, body awareness and mindfulness. He provides DEI workplace trainings on topics including unconscious bias and microaggression, as well as psychological safety and inclusive leadership.

Juxtaposed against building unified strategic initiatives in his DEI practice, Michael’s dedication to exceptional client service extends to defending employers in state and federal wage and hour class actions, litigation brought under the Private Attorney General’s Act (PAGA), and single plaintiff cases.