Atty. Michael S. Kalt

Atty. Michael S. Kalt

Michael Kalt is a partner in the Employment Law Practice Group of Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, where he has worked since 1996. His employment law practice emphasizes the litigation and trial of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination cases in state and federal court.

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Profile Summary

About Michael S. Kalt at a glance

Michael S. Kalt is a employment and litigation attorney based in San Diego, California, practicing at Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP. Educated at University of California Los Angeles (J.D., 1994). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (San Diego) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in San Diego, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michael Kalt is a partner in the Employment Law Practice Group of Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, where he has worked since 1996
  • His employment law practice emphasizes the litigation and trial of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination cases in state and federal court
  • Michael also provides advice and training to employers on employee discipline and investigations, employment policies and procedures, and fair employment practices
  • Michael represents businesses of all sizes and in most industry sectors
  • He is an accomplished writer and oral advocate and has prevailed through summary judgment in dozens and dozens of litigated matters and has also prevailed before the California Supreme Court and California Court of Appeal, resulting in several published decisions. (Jones v
  • The Lodge at Torrey Pines Partnership (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1158 [no individual liability for FEHA retaliation], Acuna v
  • SDGE (2013) 217 Cal.4th 1402 [successive administrative charges does not extend statute of limitations after right-to-sue notice issued] and Tu v
  • UCSD Medical Centers (S.D
  • Ca. 2002) 201 F. Supp. 2d 1126 [precluding negligent infliction of emotional distress claims for intentional employment decisions].) Michael is currently the Governmental Affairs Director for the California State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management (CalSHRM) and tracks and oversees the legislative advocacy efforts for its 30,000 members, including testifying before various legislative committees on employment matters
  • He formerly was Vice President-Legislation for the San Diego Chapter of SHRM where he monitored the federal and state employment-related developments for its 1,000 members
  • He is also the Legislative Liaison and a Steering Committee Member for the Employment and Labor Committee for the Defense Research Institute and editor of its annual 50-state new employment laws compendium and is the editor of the Firm’s monthly employment newsletter
  • He is also the former author of the ADR Case Notes Column of the statewide publication: California Labor and Employment Review
  • Michael has been elected by fellow attorneys as a Super Lawyer by Law and Politics Magazine from 2007 to 2018 for labor and employment law
  • He was also named by the San Diego Daily Transcript as one of the top 10 Labor and Employment attorneys in 2009 and 2012, and by Super Lawyer as one of the top 10 attorneys in 2013 and one of the top 50 attorneys in San Diego from 2012-2018
  • Michael was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014-2020 for Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Michael received both his B.A. magna cum laude and J.D. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles

Practice Areas Explained

Michael S. Kalt's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael S. Kalt handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Michael S. Kalt is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Michael S. Kalt is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Diego are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Diego or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael S. Kalt

Where is Michael S. Kalt's law office located?
Michael S. Kalt's law practice is located in San Diego, California. The firm is Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael S. Kalt handle?
Michael S. Kalt focuses on employment, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Michael S. Kalt go to law school?
Michael S. Kalt earned their education at (J.D., 1994).
How can I contact Michael S. Kalt for a consultation?
You can contact Michael S. Kalt directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael S. Kalt received?
Michael S. Kalt's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (San Diego); Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals; Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management.

Education

J.D.
University of California Los Angeles
- 1994

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (San Diego)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Union
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Discrimination
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Harassment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
- 2026

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