Bringing the Pieces Together: Steps for Better Outcomes in Class and PAGA Mediations

Danielle L. GruppChang is a Senior Associate Attorney at Blackstone Law. She is a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and a seasoned attorney specializing in wage and hour class actions. Raised in a family where both parents worked in the restaurant industry, Ms. GruppChang developed an early respect for the hard work and resilience of the Californian workers. This background exposed Ms. GruppChang the struggles of working-class individuals sparked her dedication to fighting for justice on behalf of workers.

Ms. GruppChang’s professional journey began when she started working at a local coffee shop and continued throughout college where she worked tables, often serving her classmates. These experiences further resolved her commitment to protecting employee rights. She understands firsthand the importance of being properly paid for all time worked, lawful meal and rest breaks, and adherence to wage and hour laws—values she carries with her into her legal practice today.

Barbara DuVan-Clarke is a Senior Trial Attorney and Team Lead at Blackstone Law. Barbara is dedicated to fighting for the rights of California’s employees in both individual and class/PAGA cases. As a working mom, Barbara has a particular passion for vindicating the rights of women who have suffered discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Barbara was also co-counsel on Young v. Department of Public Social Services, et al, a retaliation/whistleblower case, and obtained the 7th highest employment law verdict in California in 2022.

Presently, Barbara and her team focus on litigating class and PAGA actions on behalf of thousands of California employees who have been denied meal and rest periods, denied fair compensation, and other Labor Code violations. Barbara and her team are driven by a strong desire for justice and dedication to employee rights.

Demonstrative of her dedication to workers’ rights, Ms. DuVan-Clarke was the inaugural Chair of the CELA Women’s Committee, is the current Co-Chair of the CELA Mentor Committee, and is a member of the CELA Elimination of Bias in the Judiciary Committee, as well as a member of CAALA and LEFTJAW.

Ms. DuVan-Clarke obtained her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 2007, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA in 2003. Barbara enjoys spending time with her two fantastic children and her supportive husband, watching Dodgers games, and reading autobiographies.