Leigh A. White

Partner
Orange County Office
lwhite@cdflaborlaw.com
(949) 622-1661, ext 1446
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If I Wasn’t a Lawyer I’d Be: A book reviewer

Toughest Job: Lifeguard at the Fayetteville Public Pool

Favorite Teams: Her daughters’ travel fastpitch softball teams

Originally from Arkansas

Learn More about Leigh and Areas of Practice

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, White 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, White 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, White 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.

White 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, White helps modify national company policies and systems to comply with California law specifics, and trains human resources departments on complex California employment law issues.

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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

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)

Presentations

"Avoiding Litigation - Effective Disability Accommodation Practices for California Employers," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, August 2024

“Pay Equity” Co-Presenter, Mathison’s Pay Equity Summit, in partnership with Ashby and OpenComp, May 2023

"California Fair Pay Act And Related Requirements – What California Employers Should Know," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, April 2023

“Internal Pay Equity Audits,” Hospital Association of Southern California, October 2022

"The Intersection of California and Federal Leave of Absence Laws as Workplaces Struggle with COVID-19," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, October 2021

"What California Employers Need to Know About Wage & Hour Class Actions and PAGA Lawsuits," Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, September 2018

"How to Comply With the California Fair Pay Act & Avoid Litigation," CDF Webinar Series, October 2017

Professional Affiliations/Leadership/Awards

Named, Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year" in Class Action Defense, Irvine, CA, 2020 & 2024

Listed, Best Lawyers®, Class Actions Defense, Irvine, CA, 2016 - 2024

Listed, Southern California Super Lawyers, 2018 & 2020 - 2023

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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Blog Entries

Employment Law Bills Await Governor Newsom’s Signature Or Veto

September 13, 2024

Navigating California’s Complex Employment Landscape: Recent Developments in Background Checks and Privacy

July 12, 2024

California’s Minimum Wage Is On The Ballot In November

July 10, 2024

EEOC Publishes Guidance on Harassment In The Workplace

April 30, 2024

New California Paid Sick Leave Requirements Go Into Effect January 1

December 18, 2023

Reminder: October 1 New Requirements For Considering Criminal History in Employment

September 28, 2023

BEWARE: New Requirements for How California Employers May Consider Criminal History In Employment Go Into…

August 9, 2023

EEOC’s Updated Guidance on Visual Disabilities Provides Both New Information and Reminders for Employers

August 1, 2023

Written Contract Will Be Required For Many Independent Contractors And Freelance Workers In Los Angeles…

June 30, 2023

Proposed California Constitutional Amendment For The Right To Organize And Negotiate With Employers

June 27, 2023

California Supreme Court Broadens Whistleblower Protection for Employees

May 31, 2023

Civil Rights Department Permits Deferrals For Reporting Labor Contractor Employee Pay Data

April 20, 2023

Trending:  Requested Accommodations For Mental Health Issues

January 19, 2023

Appellate Court Holds That Percentage Bonuses Can Be Calculated Using FLSA Method 

January 12, 2023

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Reminder: Certain California Employers Without 401(k) Plans Must Register For CalSavers Retirement Program

July 7, 2022

Trial Judge Holds California Board of Directors Diversity Law Violates Equal Protection Laws

April 11, 2022

Tax Credits For Certain Employers Paying for Time Off For COVID-19 Vaccinations

April 23, 2021

Right To Recall For Certain California COVID-Impacted Hospitality and Building Services Workers Signed Into…

April 20, 2021

CDF Expands Editorial Board for its California Labor and Employment Law Blog

February 8, 2021

Executive Order Requires Large Employers To Provide COVID-19 Sick Leave To Food Sector Essential Workers

April 24, 2020

What Employers Need to Know About Claiming Payroll Tax Credits Under FFCRA

April 1, 2020

Questions Remain After DOL's First Round of FFCRA Guidance

March 26, 2020

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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