Best Lawyers Near You in Aliso Viejo, California for Labor and Employment Law - Management
James P. Carter is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, non-compete and trade-secret issues and claims, class action cases, breach of contract claims, disability accommodation, leave of absence, and workers' compensation issues. James represents clients in many industries including financial, bi...
Samantha Hoffman serves as firm managing principal and is also a member of the board of directors. A long-trusted advisor to her clients and the firm, Samantha believes in mentoring and supporting junior lawyers to grow into leadership positions and continue helping Jackson Lewis be a leader among law firms breaking the “glass ceiling.” Samantha has worn many administrative hats at the firm, including office managing principal of the Orange County office, where she was responsible...
Jim McDonald is managing partner of the Irvine office and a partner in the Los Angeles office. He is also the firm's marketing partner and chair of the firm's Development Committee. Jim tries employment cases before juries, judges and arbitrators. His practice especially focuses on executive terminations, workplace harassment and discrimination claims, the Americans with Disabilities Act, mental health issues in the workplace, and trade secrets and unfair competition matters. Jim also advises...
Michele L. Maryott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michele L., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michele L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Leigh Ann White is a Partner at CDF Labor Law LLP (CDF), a California focused labor, employment, and immigration defense law firm with five offices throughout the state. In her two decades of defending and advising employers, White has successfully resolved complex litigation and disputes, ranging from individual claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour class actions, and trade secret allegations. When defending clients against these types of claims, White brings her f...
Bret Martin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Bret, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bret is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kristina N. Buan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management. Kristina N., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristina N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tyler Angelini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Tyler, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tyler is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kyley Murer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kyley, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kyley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kari represents employers in a variety of employment cases, including claims for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, employee defection, and wage-and-hour disputes. She also has substantial experience representing debtors in Chapter 7 bankruptcies and providing litigation advice to small businesses defending ADA premises accessibility lawsuits. Drawing on her experience as an owner of a fourth-generation family business, she advises clients on implementing and draft...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.