Dave Carothers

Law School
University of Southern California Law Center

Major Cases
Dave Carothers is currently defending a national quick-service chain in two trials on cases alleging race discrimination.

Professional Background
Carothers brings his untiring passion and focus to the courtroom when defending labor- and employment-related claims brought against his clients. Carothers is an experienced trial attorney having tried more than 75 cases to verdict in jurisdictions throughout California. He has successfully defended employers against claims of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, ADA, wage and hour violations and discrimination. Carothers has defended clients as lead trial counsel in large complex actions involving representative actions, class actions and coordinated actions involving hundreds of claimants.

Professional Affiliations
Carothers is affiliated with well-regarded professional organizations, spanning governmental agencies to local bar diversity initiatives. In 2008, Carothers was appointed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the commissioner to the Fair Employment and Housing Commission. He has also been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 2005 and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel since 1999.

Carothers has received accolades from Martindale-Hubbell AV-Pre-eminent rated; Best Lawyers, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2013 to 2015 and San Diego Super Lawyers, 2012 to 2015. He is a founding participant of Diversity Fellowship Program through the San Diego County Bar Association.

Personal Affiliations
Carothers has been of service to his community in San Diego for decades. His service includes past board memberships with Mercy Hospital's Finance Committee, Inner-City Games Foundation, Neighborhood House Association, and San Diego Police Review Board. Carothers also provided pro bono counsel to Inner-City Games Foundation, which was created in response to a growing number of young people nationwide who live in poverty, and face monumental, often negative obstacles in their everyday lives.

Carothers is also chairperson for CDF’s commitment to support the Wounded Warrior Project. WWP is a national organization dedicated to raising awareness for and providing assistance to wounded service members and their families. As chairperson, Carothers leads CDF in continuing its support of WWP throughout the year with the main goal being to raise awareness of and funds for WWP both within the firm and in the local communities where CDF has office locations.

Personal Background
Carothers served in the U.S. Navy, 1975 to 1979; awarded the Navy/Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal for services related to Iran. 

As a college student, Carothers worked with veterans rights groups and was certified to represent veterans dishonorably discharged during the Vietnam War due to drug addiction acquired during service. He successfully represented a number of veterans, many of whom were homeless and penniless and argued to have their dishonorable discharges upgraded to general and honorable discharges after Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird issued a directive that the discharges should be reviewed by a military tribunal. As a result, many of these service members were able to go back to school, receive medical care and participate in the VA Home Loan program, dramatically changing their lives.