Heart of Employment

Building Company Culture with Edgar Davtyan

In Episode 5 of Heart of Employment, host Dave sits down with Edgar Davtyan, Director of Business Affairs at D.Law, for a wide-ranging conversation on what company culture really means — and why it’s more than just perks and mission statements. Edgar shares how his background in advertising shaped his approach to law firm culture, how intentional design (of space, policy, and leadership) builds community, and why love, respect, and treating people like humans first are non-negotiable values in today’s workplace. Topics include: * Why culture is a set of unspoken and spoken rules * The case for in-office work in a hybrid world * How architecture, food, and art shape employee experience * Rethinking work-life balance, vacation policies, and care at scale * What to look for in a job — and how to stand out as a candidate This one’s for the employees, the managers, and the culture-builders. If you care about how it feels to work somewhere, you’ll want to hear this.

Class Actions with Emil Davtyan (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our class action deep dive, we welcome back D.Law Founder and Managing Attorney Emil Davtyan to continue unpacking the power — and the complexity — behind group lawsuits in the workplace. This episode answers the next wave of questions: * How many people are really needed to bring a class action? * Do you need to do anything to receive a settlement? * How long does it take to get paid — and why? * What’s the deal with arbitration agreements? * And… do lawyers really take all the money? From breaking down legal myths to explaining why class reps can’t just “cash out,” Emil gives workers the facts they need to understand what’s at stake — and how class actions work from the inside. Whether you’re part of a class or just curious how these cases unfold, this episode lays it all out.

Class Actions with Emil Davtyan (Part 1)

In this episode of Heart of Employment, we’re joined by D.Law Founder and Managing Attorney Emil Davtyan to unpack one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — tools in employment law: the class action lawsuit. Emil breaks down what class actions are, how they work, and why they exist — especially for employees with claims too small to justify a lawsuit on their own. He explains the role of class members vs. class representatives, how bonuses are awarded, what industries are most affected, and whether workers still employed can safely participate. From lunch break violations to unpaid time spent putting on PPE, these cases can start small — but lead to serious impact. If you’ve ever thought “$900 isn’t worth the hassle” or wondered whether joining a class action is risky, this one’s for you.

The Line Between Wrong and Illegal with Adam Sherman

What actually counts as illegal in the workplace — and what’s just… unpleasant? In this episode of Heart of Employment, host Dave sits down with Senior Counsel Adam Sherman to break down the difference between bad behavior and unlawful conduct. From common misconceptions about harassment and retaliation to what “wrongful termination” really means, Adam explains why so many people think they have a legal case — and why many don’t. He also shares a powerful client story involving constructive termination, and explains how a strong paper trail can make or break your case. If you’ve ever thought, “This can’t be legal…” — this episode is for you.

The Law Is On Your Side with Brandon Ruiz

In the debut episode of Heart of Employment, host Dave Abed sits down with D.Law employment attorney Brandon Ruiz to unpack the messy reality of workplace violations in California. With over 16 years in the field, Brandon shares why employment law drew him in, what companies get wrong most often, and why they rarely admit fault - even when caught.