Press Release: Veteran Employment Litigation Partner Arif Virji Joins Kaufman Dolowich as Co-Managing Partner of San Francisco Office; Michael McConathy Joins as Of Counsel

Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP (KD), is pleased to announce that Arif Virji has joined the firm as a labor and employment and professional liability partner in its San Francisco office. Virji, who has three decades of experience, will also co-manage the San Francisco office with Katherine S. Catlos and take a leadership role in the firm’s diversity efforts. In addition, Michael D. McConathy joined the firm as of counsel.

In September, the firm announced that it is participating in the Mansfield Rule 2.0 certification program to support diversity among its leadership. KD is one of only 65 law firms nationwide to participate in Mansfield 2.0.

Virji’s employment practice includes litigating discrimination and harassment cases, handling retaliation, reasonable accommodation and wage and hour claims and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigations. He represents employers in class action lawsuits on a wide range of labor and employment law matters. He also provides day to day advice and counsel to employers on workplace issues. 

Virji’s professional liability practice focuses on the representation of lawyers, engineers and brokers. He also handles real estate issues including landlord-tenant disputes and commercial contracts.

Prior to joining Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, Virji was a labor and employment partner in the San Francisco office of Lynch, Gilardi & Grummer where he was also managing partner since 2002.  

McConathy, who was of counsel at Lynch, Gilardi & Grummer, focuses his practice on labor and employment, professional liability and business litigation.

“Arif’s talents as a labor and employment and professional liability attorney, managing partner with more than 15 years of experience and champion and advocate for diversity in the legal workforce make him a great asset in San Francisco and throughout the KD national network,” said Michael A. Kaufman, co-managing partner of the firm.

“Joining KD will allow me to expand and enhance my practices with the support of a national platform, provide the resources to support my clients and play a significant role in the firm’s diversity initiatives,” said Virji. “Working with Katherine, who has a tremendous reputation in San Francisco, I look forward to helping the office get more involved in professional and legal organizations and grow the office in a way that makes smart business sense.”

Virji earned his B.S. and J.D. from Southern Methodist University. McConathy earned his B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

“KD has an earned reputation throughout the Bay Area for our labor and employment, professional liability and insurance coverage practices and I am thrilled that Arif will be working side by side with me to enhance our presence,” said Catlos. “I also look forward to Arif’s support and ideas on our diversity focus.”