Debbie Birndorf-Zeiler

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Los Angeles
United States
T:+1 213 892 9249
Los Angeles
United States
T:+1 213 892 9249
Debbie Birndorf-Zeiler

Debbie Birndorf-Zeiler

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Biography

Debbie Birndorf Zeiler brings over three decades of legal experience to her practice, with a significant portion spent running her own firm for 20 years.  She specializes in representing employers in all aspects of employment law, including defense against harassment and discrimination claims, wage disputes, wage and hours class actions, PAGA claims, disability discrimination claims and trade secrets misappropriation matters. In addition to her litigation expertise, Debbie provides comprehensive counseling on employment law matters, offering guidance on employment contracts, severance agreements, employee handbooks and company policies.

Debbie has been named a 2024 Super Lawyer in Employment and Labor. She was previously awarded the Super Lawyer honor in 2013 and 2015-2023. She has also been named one of the Top Employment and Labor Attorneys in Los Angeles and one of the Top Women Attorneys by Los Angeles Magazine. In 2022, Debbie was name a Women of Influence: Attorneys by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Birndorf Law Offices, Debbie’s former firm, was also recognized by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the Best Law Firms in Los Angeles.

Most recently, Debbie was recognized by The Los Angeles Times as a nominee for the 2023 Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Award.

Debbie is a frequent speaker on a variety of employment law topics. She has been a presenter at the annual HR Star conference every year since 2011, and a frequent presenter at the annual PIHRA Conferences. 

In addition, Debbie serves on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section and Co-Chairs the Saturday Seminar Program Committee.

Debbie earned her B.A. from UCLA, an M.B.A. from NYU, and her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where she graduated in the top of her class.  In addition to her full-time practice, Debbie teaches Legal Aspects of Employee Relations at UCLA Extension as part of the HR Certificate program.

Professional experience

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JD, Washington University, St. Louis, 1993

MBA, New York University, Stern School of Business, 1991

BA, University of California, Los Angeles, 1988

  • California State Bar
  • Super Lawyer for Employment and Labor, Thomson Reuters, 2013 and 2015-2024
  • Inspirational Women Forum and Leadership Award Nominee, The Los Angeles Times, 2023.
  • Women of Influence: Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2022
  • Top Employment and Labor Attorneys, Los Angeles Magazine, 2013 and 2015-2024
  • Top Women Attorney, Los Angeles Magazine, 2013 and 2015-2024
  • "Class, PAGA, and Arbitration Update," 2023 California Employment Law Update, Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA) Conference, October 24, 2023 (Burbank) and October 26, 2023 (Anaheim).
  • "Reductions in Force: Steps to Take, Separation Packages & Avoiding Litigation," HR Star Conference: Los Angeles, June 27, 2023.
  • "The Basics and Beyond," CAI-GLAC Manager HR Boot Camp: The Basics and Beyond, August 2, 2022.
  • "The New Flexible Hybrid Workplace: A Roadmap for Employers," HR Star Conference: Los Angeles, June 28, 2022.
  • "2021 California Employment Law Update," CAI Executive Retreat, July 30, 2021.
  • "2019 Wage-Hour Legal Update," HR Star Conference: San Francisco, July 10, 2019.
  • "Gender Identity in the Workplace: Guidance for Policy Creation and Recognition," Train Me Today HR Pro Conference, June 5, 2019.
  • "2019 Wage-Hour Legal Update," HR Star Conference: Los Angeles, March 20, 2019.
  • "Gender Identity in the Workplace: Guidance for Policy Creation and Recognition," PIHRA Long Beach CAHR 2018 – CAHR18, August 29, 2018.
  • "California's New Parental Leave Act," PIHRA Long Beach CAHR 2018 – CAHR18, August 28, 2018.
  • "Wage and Hour Laws: OMG, What Now??" HR Star Conference: San Francisco, July 11, 2018.
  • "Wage and Hour Laws: OMG, What Now??" HR Star Conference: Los Angeles, March 14, 2018.
  • "Wage and Hour Laws: OMG, What Now??" HR West 2018, March 6, 2018.
  • ""Important Tips on Joint Employment: Whose employee is he/she?" The Californian on Wilshire HOA, February 6, 2018.
  • "Gender Identity in the Workplace: Guidance for Policy Creation and Recognition," 2018 PIHRA Legal Update, Anaheim, February 1, 2018.
  • "Gender Identity in the Workplace: Guidance for Policy Creation and Recognition," 2018 PIHRA Legal Update LA Live, January 17, 2018.
  • "Gender Identity in the Workplace: Guidance for Policy Creation and Recognition," 2018 PIHRA Legal Update, Riverside, January 9, 2018.
  • Harassment in the Workplace; Where are we know?" CAI-GLAC 2018 Managers Breakfast, January 2018
  • "Regulating Instagram Models, Tweetstorms, and Facebook Stalkers in the Workplace," NCHRA - California Legal and Legislative Conference, December 7, 2017.
  • "Wage and Hour Law: OMG, What Now??" PIHRA Long Beach CAHR 2017, August 29, 2017.
  • "Steps to a 'Rightful' Termination: How to Terminate without Getting Sued," HR Star Conference: San Francisco, July 12, 2017.
  • "The Ups and Downs of Joint Employment," CAI Tips and Tactics Series, June 14, 2017.
  • "Employee Relations and Employment Law," UCLA Extension - Instructor, April 3 through June 19, 2017.
  • "Steps to a 'Rightful' Termination: How to Terminate without Getting Sued," HR Star: Los Angeles, March 16, 2017.
  • "Steps to a 'Rightful' Termination," HR West 2017, March 5, 2017.
  • "Community Association and Joint Employer Conundrum:  Is the Association Vendor its Employee?" CAI Law Seminar, 2017, January 20, 2017.
  • "Steps for a 'Rightful' Termination in California," California HR Conference 2016, August 29, 2016.
  • "Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Training," The Californian on Wilshire HOA, June 28, 2016.
  • "What Every Supervisor Needs to Know:Effective and Legal Workplace Discipline," The Blair House for HOA Managers, June 21, 2016.
  • "Social Media's Role and Impact in the Workplace: Policies, Privacy and Protected Activity," HR Star Conference: Los Angeles 2016, March 22, 2016
  • "A Primer on Federal and California Medical Leave Laws," Los Angeles County Bar Association, November 14, 2015.
  • Live Virtual Presentation: "Steps for a 'Rightful' Termination in California," Institute for Human Resources, HR.com, April 14, 2015.
  • "Employee Relations and Employment Law," UCLA Extension – Instructor, March 30 through June 15, 2015.
  • "Best Hiring Practices to Avoid Discrimination Lawsuits," HR Star: Los Angeles, March 19, 2015.
  • "Employment Law for Your Law Firm: Trouble Spots and How to Avoid Them," CAI Law Seminar, January 28, 2015.
  • "How to Hire and Not Get Sued!" PayrollCentric Inc & LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, January 20, 2015.
  • "Legal Aspects of Employee Relations" UCLA Extension – Instructor, June 26 through September 4, 2014.
  • "Enforcing Settlement Agreements" and "ADR," LACBA Labor And Employment Panel Speaker, June 11, 2014.
  • Employment Law Panel Speaker, Beverly Hills Bruin Professionals, June 3, 2014.
  • Panel Speaker, Century City Bruin Professionals, May 13, 2014.
  • "2014 New Labor Laws," PayrollCentric Inc & LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce 2014 Labor Law Seminar, January 28, 2014.
  • "Legal Ramification of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)," U.S. Small Business Administration, December 17, 2013.
  • Spoke about the federal government shutdown and its effect on employers and employment law-related issues, Turi Ryder Show – America Weekend, October 6, 2013.
  • "The Affordable Healthcare Act," Bruin Professionals, September 19, 2013.
  • "H.R. 3590 & 4872:  The Affordable Care Act. What You Need To Know," Community Associations Institute, August 21, 2013.
  • "Sexual Harassment, Workplace Romances and Dress Codes: What Employers Need To Know To Avoid Costly Mistakes and Litigation," Institute for Human Resources, August 2, 2013.
  • "2013 Employment Law Update: Is Outsourcing For You?" U.S. Small Business Administration, June 27, 2013.
  • "Pregnancy Disability Leave And New Disability Discrimination Regulations: The Impact On Employers And Employees," HR Star: Los Angeles, March 20, 2013.
  • "Employee Relations and Employment Law," UCLA Extension – Instructor, January 8 through March 19, 2013.
  • "2013 Legal Update," NetPay/LAX Chamber of Commerce, January 31, 2013.
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association Labor Employment Section, Executive Committee
  • Saturday Seminar Program Committee, Chair

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