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Wisdom: When we advocate for the rights of employees — whether negotiating, litigating, or strategizing — we rely on deep knowledge, vigor, and always, wisdom.
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Jennifer Schwartz
Jennifer Schwartz
About
JENNIFER SCHWARTZ is a partner at Outten & Golden LLP and heads the individual practice in the San Francisco office. She represents employees exclusively in a wide range of employment matters, including litigation in state and federal trial courts, before administrative agencies, and in appellate courts. Despite her extensive litigation and arbitration experience, Ms. Schwartz often finds that, with appropriate counseling and negotiation, extensive litigation can be avoided. Ms. Schwartz frequently utilizes mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution in pursuit of the most favorable outcome for her clients.
Ms. Schwartz’s employment practice focuses on claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and violation of state and federal wage and hour laws. She represents whistleblowers and individuals who have experienced adverse employment action as a result of opposing illegal or unethical corporate practices.
Ms. Schwartz also handles a variety of professional and executive compensation and benefits matters, including the negotiation of employment, severance, restrictive covenant, and trade secret agreements. Using Outten & Golden’s depth and breadth of experience with complicated aspects of executive employment arrangements, she provides advice to founders and other employees and professionals at both “start ups” and existing businesses relating to transactional matters, including changes in control, mergers, team moves, and the formation and sale of businesses.
Before joining Outten & Golden LLP, Ms. Schwartz managed her own firm in the San Francisco area, practicing in the areas of employment law and criminal defense. One of her career highlights was obtaining an acquittal at re-trial after appeal for a client wrongfully convicted of a homicide.
Ms. Schwartz employs a highly client-centric approach, carefully considering all aspects of a client’s life and needs in helping develop and implement strategic decisions. She believes that every single client -- without regard to position in life -- deserves a dedicated, compassionate, and tenacious advocate.
(*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.)
Videos
2016:
Bar Admissions & Professional Activities
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Ms. Schwartz is a member of the New York and California bar and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California, the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit.
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Member, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, “The Nation’s Top One Percent.”
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FINRA arbitrator, selected to serve on the Criminal Justice Act Trial Panel for the Northern District of California.
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Board of Directors, Marin Trial Lawyers Association
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Member, Litigation Committee, Equal Rights Advocates
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Member, American Bar Association, Labor & Employment section
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Member, National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
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Member, California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)
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Member, California State Bar, Labor & Employment section
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Member, San Francisco Bar Association, Labor & Employment section
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Member, Marin County Bar Association, Labor & Employment section
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Member, CABAL (Northern California’s subgroup of the Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer’s Association). Served as CABAL’s liaison to the NELA annual conference on two occasions.
Publications & Articles
Awards & Recognition
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2018: Ms. Schwartz was recognized by the Center for Women in Law as a “Power Player.”
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2014, 2016 and 2017: San Francisco Magazine, Top Women Attorneys In Northern California
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2014-2018: San Francisco Magazine, Top Attorneys In Northern California
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2016: Super Lawyers: Top Women Attorneys in Northern California
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2014-2018: Northern California Super Lawyers
