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Mr. Whitehead is the founder and managing attorney of W Employment Law, based in Irvine, CA. SW Employment Law is proud to practice employment law on behalf of employees exclusively within all areas of California. The firm handles all areas of employment and labor law including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, 2802 claims, and wage and hour claims, among others.
The firm is highly experienced with both single plaintiff employment-related cases as well as class action and PAGA representative actions with multiple plaintiffs. Mr. Whitehead routinely litigates complex class action cases that have amassed hundreds of plaintiffs against the employer. Mr. Whitehead has recovered millions of dollars for California employees in both individual and class action cases.
Mr. Whitehead is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, rated in Super Lawyers, named in Lawyers of Distinction, named one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, ASLA’s Top 40 Under 40, and is an active member of organizations that fight for and protect the rights of employees and consumers, including American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, California Employment Lawyers Association and Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles. He is barred in both California and D.C., and speaks fluent Spanish, having served as a missionary in Barcelona, Spain. He loves to ski, spend time at the beach, and travel with his wife and five beautiful daughters.
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Practice Areas
15 years | 30 cases
15 years | 561 cases
15 years | 323 cases
15 years | 510 cases
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$0 first 20 minutes
35%-50%
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Chat withState: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
7700 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 800, Irvine, CA, 92618
Showing 1 - 5 of 59 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Shila | July 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney
My experience working with W employment law company was excellent. My case was handled very quickly, and it was settled for an amount higher than I expected. Thank you very much to all the employees of this company, especially Pamela, Jacob, and Luke
Posted by Sean | July 24, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I had an exceptional experience with W-Employment! Their professionalism is unmatched. From the moment we engaged with them, they took the time to explain every detail clearly and thoroughly. What truly sets them apart is their dedication to fighting for you and your group. They advocate tirelessly o...
Posted by Rick | June 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Luke, Pam and Marge were amazing. I was kind of lost and needed help. They guided me through the process from A-Z. It was easy and stress free to get me a fair settlement.
Posted by Jonathan | June 5, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Thanks again Jacob! The process was so easy and smooth! All his people are ON it. If you’re like me and need a good lawyer and you have NO idea what you’re doing, this is your guy!
Posted by Jennifer | May 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney
The W Law Firm attorney Jacob was very efficient and delivered on my settlement amount from my employer. I would highly recommend him if anyone is facing legal issues with their employer and don't know where to turn.
"Jacob is both knowledgeable and helpful in trying to resolve client issues, a rarer combination than one would imagine. He brings both legal knowledge and practical insight to a problem. He is also a pleasure to work with."
"I worked with Jacob as co-counsel and he is always impeccably prepared. Jacob's number one goal is to achieve the best possible result for his clients."
"Jacob was extremely knowledgeable and insightful in helping me resolve an employment issue for a major corporate client. His advice was precise and he used his experience to help me discern those central issues that are actually material to the client's case (while explaining the consequences of the more minor issues). In other words, Jacob uses his experience to cut through the weeds and get to the bottom line of your case. As a result, my client put Jacob's advice to practice and he was very satisfied. I cannot recommend Jacob highly enough to clients or fellow attorneys looking for a referral source or co-counsel on employment law matters."
"I worked as co-counsel with Jacob on a high profile case involving a well known defendant with substantial legal representation and substantial dollar damages. Despite the defendant's well financed defense, Jacob obtained a settlement for his client worth over a million dollars. Jacob is an excellent attorney very well versed in his field. I would recommend him to anyone in need of an employment/labor attorney."
"Jacob was extremely professional and courteous, aiding both his client and the parties by making it easier for them to find a way to resolve their differences. Jacob could be firm when the situation required it, but otherwise he was easy-going and a pleasure to work against."
"I have referred Jacob Whitehead many cases over the years. He has always handled them with care and attention to detail. He is conscientious and hardworking. I trust sending my clients with employment related issues to him."
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2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2018
Multi-Million Dollar Advocate, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2018
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2018
Top 3 Best Employment Lawyers in Irvine California, www.3BestRated.com
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2017
Multi-Million Dollar Advocate, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2017
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in California, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Top 10% of Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction
2015 - Present
Principal, Whitehead Employment Law
2009 - 2015
Partner, Hallstrom Klein & Ward, LLP
2017 - Present
American Society of Legal AdvocatesMember
2015 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2015 - Present
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates ForumMember
2015 - Present
Million Dollar Advocates ForumMember
2010 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Multi-million dollar Confidential Settlement
2009
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2011
Employment Law
2009
Spanish
English
Portuguese
Legal Answers
I would like to resign from my job while disability leave?
18 Aug 2020
What can be done against a large company like AFLAC that has taken $ out of my paycheck for the last 18mos.
04 Jan 2019
If I stole from my employer and signed a written warning for it can they still charge me? no proof just my admission.
13 Apr 2017