Firm Overview

Siegel & LeWitter is a well recognized San Francisco Bay Area law firm engaged exclusively in the representation of plaintiffs in employment litigation, and in the representation of trade unions. The firm is located in Oakland, California where it has been since 1988. The firm has two partners, Jonathan H. Siegel and Jody I. LeWitter, are well known for their expertise in the employment and labor areas, and well regarded for their vigorous, cutting edge and creative representation of employees, and substantial verdicts in employment cases. Both of the firm’s partners were recognized in The Recorder (March 15, 2004) as Top Employment Lawyers, Honorable Mentions, in its ranking of employment attorneys. The firm is on the cutting edge of employment litigation, obtaining verdicts and settlements in difficult cases, in state court, federal court and before arbitrators.

Awards include the largest reported California employment fraud case at the time ($2.64 million in 1999), the largest wrongful termination award in Contra Costa County at the time ($1.245 million in 1992), the largest employment award in San Francisco Superior Court for the year ($451,000 plus a finding that punitive damages could be awarded, the case then settled, 1992), a significant Arbitration Award in a race discrimination arbitration including punitive damages, total award in excess of $3.6 million 2003, an age discrimination award in an arbitration ($1.09 million in economic and emotional distress, PLUS attorneys fees, costs and interest with findings for ADDITIONAL punitive damages), and significant class action awards and settlements for overtime violations including representing employees who are misclassified as exempt from overtime.The partners have taught trial skills to lawyers and numerous seminars and classes in the employment and labor field. The firm is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating. Jonathan Siegel has been practicing law since 1978 and Jody LeWitter since 1982. The firm also has four knowledgeable associates, who practice only in the area of employment and labor law, as well as experienced support staff. Siegel & LeWitter's practice emphasizes employment discrimination (sex discrimination, sexual harassment, race and national origin discrimination/harassment, marital status discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, disability discrimination, age discrimination, family leave, and Equal Pay Act claims, etc), wrongful termination claims including breach of contract, public policy, misrepresentation/fraud and related claims. The firm also represents plaintiffs in class action cases for wage and hour, overtime, misclassification, meal breaks, and other labor law violations, as well as class action discrimination and other cases.Siegel & LeWitter’s practice is in state and federal court, and consists of class actions, advice and negotiations, and individual litigation