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Jacob N Whitehead
About Jacob
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Class Action
50%
16 years | 30 cases
Employment and Labor
30%
16 years | 561 cases
Discrimination
10%
16 years | 323 cases
Wrongful Termination
10%
16 years | 510 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
35%-50%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 13 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 16 years
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
W Employment Law
7700 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 800, Irvine, CA, 92618
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Jacob N Whitehead's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
61 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 18 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Morgan | March 26, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Excellent Lawyer
He handled my case quick and efficiently. He kept me in the loop and explained every step of the process. He gave me expert advice on how we should proceed, and he was available to answer any questions I had. He really made the whole process go smoothly and minimized my stress.
Posted by Jonathan | June 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Jonathan Drake.
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 Valerie | January 27, 2022 | Employment & Labor
Compassionate & Knowledgable
I called SW and was immediately comforted by a professional and kind receptionist who gathered intake information. The next morning, I was called again by someone who gathered a bit more detailed information. She, too, was professional and kind. Later, on the afternoon, I received a phone call from a...
Posted by Garcia | September 13, 2021
Good Service
I gave his office a call since I need some legal advice for the situation that I am in. Amelia was very patient and she got back to me on the same day. Thank you for giving me the advices. I’ll call if I need help in the future.
Posted by Kasey | June 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Excellent Law Firm, excellent results
Whitehead Employment Law has done a superior job with my case. Everyone I spoke to or communicated with was great. Erin, and Jacob were the ones I spoke to the most, and they were excellent. I never really knew what to expect in terms of the process, fees, and the end results. But I can assure you th...
Jacob Whitehead
Replied last June 16, 2021Thank you so much Kasey for taking the time to leave such detailed feedback. It was a pleasure working with you and we are grateful you chose us as your attorneys. Our entire legal team is so happy we could be of service!
Jacob N Whitehead's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
Henry Khalili
Workers compensation lawyer
Thomas Stephens
Business lawyer
Paul Kurtzhall
Employment and labor lawyer
Emanuel Orlando
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Barbara Raileanu
Discrimination lawyer
John Alessio
Employment and labor lawyer
Stephen McNamara
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
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
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Principal, Whitehead Employment Law
2009 - 2015
Partner, Hallstrom Klein & Ward, LLP
Associations
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
Sample of Legal Cases
Doe v. Roe Company
Multi-million dollar Confidential Settlement
Education
2009
Whittier College School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
University of Utah
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
Orange County Applicants' Attorney Association
Employment Law
Publications
2009
Los Angeles Daily Journal
My Future
Languages
Spanish
English
Portuguese
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I would like to resign from my job while disability leave?
18 Aug 2020
Q&A
What can be done against a large company like AFLAC that has taken $ out of my paycheck for the last 18mos.
04 Jan 2019
Q&A
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