About Leigh
In her over two decades of defending and advising employers, Leigh A. 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, Leigh brings her focused determination and her tried and true experience to the courtroom.
She has defended employers in numerous jury and bench trials, as well as in arbitration, in cases involving allegations of national origin discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, race discrimination, retaliation, gender discrimination, and wage and hour violations. Additionally, Leigh has successfully defended favorable decisions in state appellate courts and has obtained summary judgment for dozens of large corporations with major California workforces.
For over a decade, Leigh has also been on the front lines defending California employers since the rash of wage and hour class actions began. Her experience includes assisting in defeating class certification, achieving advantageous settlements, and preparing and defending employers at trial in these high stakes cases. She is one of the few California attorneys who has taken a wage and hour class action to trial before a jury.
Leigh forms a partnership with clients and identifies their business goals to help guide creative strategies to litigation challenges. As part of her workplace solutions, advice, and training, she helps modify national company policies and systems to comply with California law specifics, and trains human resources departments on complex California employment law issues.
Areas of Practice
- Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
- Class Actions
- Wage and Hour Issues
- Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
- Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, J.D., 1993
- Order of the Coif
- Journal of Air Law & Commerce, Notes & Comments Editor, 1992-93
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, B.S.B.A, Finance Management and Accounting, 1990
Publications
California Labor and Employment Law: Tips to Prepare for 2018
Presentations
Avoiding Litigation - Effective Disability Accommodation Practices for California Employers
Pay Equity
California Fair Pay Act And Related Requirements – What California Employers Should Know
Internal Pay Equity Audits
The Intersection of California and Federal Leave of Absence Laws as Workplaces Struggle with COVID-19
Written Opinions
Prehodka v. Hyundai Motor America, 2011 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1930 (March 16, 2011)
Chmielewski v. Target Corp., 2008 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 3918 (May 14, 2008)
Hernandez v. Target Corp., 2008 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1329 (Feb. 19, 2008)
Hood v. BAX Global Inc., 2004 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 6867 (July 22, 2004)
Recognitions
Listed, Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" - Class Action Defense (2020 & 2024), Irvine, CA
Listed, Best Lawyers® - Class Actions Defense (2016 - 2026), Employment Law Management (2016 - 2027) and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions Defendants (2027) Irvine, CA
Listed, Southern California Super Lawyers, 2018 & 2020 - 2023, 2025
CDF Labor Law LLP
- California Labor & Employment Law Blog, Editorial Board, 2021 - Present
- Managing Partner, CDF Orange County Office, 2013 - 2015
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Related Case Results
Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed at Summary Judgment
Leave of Absence Training for Employers
Fortune 1000 Co.‘s Victory in Business Breach Claims Upheld on Appeal
Disability Discrimination Claim Ends at Summary Judgment, Upheld on Appeal
National Railroad Leaves Wrongful Termination Claims at the Station
Gender Discrimination Claims by Executive Defeated by Defense Verdict in Arbitration
Race Discrimination Jury Trial Ends in Defense Verdict, Upheld on Appeal
News
30 CDF Attorneys Named to 2027 Best Lawyers® and “Ones to Watch”® Lists
CDF Attorneys Named to 2025 Southern California Super Lawyers List
24 CDF Attorneys Named Among The Best Lawyers in America and “Ones to Watch” in 2025
CDF Attorneys Named to 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers List
CDF Labor Law LLP Attorneys Named Among Best Lawyers in America© for 2024
CDF’s California Labor & Employment Law Blog Once Again Listed on Feedspot’s Top 70 Blog List
Ten CDF Attorneys Listed as 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers
CDF’s California Labor and Employment Law Blog Listed 5th on Feedspot’s “Top 70 California Employment Law Blogs and Websites”
17 CDF Labor Law LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Lists
California Board of Directors Diversity Law Violates Equal Protection
Ten CDF Attorneys Listed as 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers
CDF’s California Labor and Employment Law Blog Listed 7th on Feedspot’s “Top 40 California Law Blogs and Websites”
Blog Posts
California Law Broadens Definition of Family Member For Bereavement Leave to Include A “Designated Person”
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance Amendments Take Effect August 2026
DOL Seeks To Reinstate “Economic Reality” Test for Independent Contractor Classification
Target’s Defeat Of Class Certification Emphasizes The Role Of Proof
California Legislature Fails To Pass Bill For Private Right of Action For Penalties for Untimely Wage Payments
CRD Previews New 2025 Pay Data Fields
Why CDF
Our clients can rest assured that our attorneys will protect their time, protect their dime and protect their peace of mind, so they can focus on maintaining productive and rewarding workplaces to remain competitive and successful in their marketplace. CDF - Attorneys you can Trust. Experience you can Trust. Results you can Trust.
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