Jeffrey A.Wortman
Partner
Labor & Employment
jwortman@seyfarth.com
Jeff partners with clients to reach their business and employment related compliance objectives and is trusted by clients to defend them in a wide range of individual, collective and class action employment disputes.
More About Jeff
Jeff has represented employers in discrimination and wage and hour class actions, as well as cases regarding allegations of wrongful discharge, retaliation, and discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, filing of workers' compensation claims, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, and related matters. He has years of experience in managing client portfolios and successfully navigating single-plaintiff litigation matters. Jeff has also represented clients in traditional labor matters under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act, and has experience litigating claims of retaliation for employees exercising their statutory right to choose union representation, advising clients with regard to collective bargaining negotiations and union organizing campaigns, drafting employment contracts, and defending employers in arbitration of claims under collective bargaining agreements. He appears regularly in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies.
Jeff also has extensive experience advising employers with regard to personnel policies and procedures, pay equity issues, reductions in force, employee privacy rights, wage and hour issues, drug and alcohol testing, employment agreements, independent contractor issues, and protection of employer trade secrets and noncompetition issues. He frequently conducts training seminars on diverse employment law issues, including sexual harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and supervision and discipline of employees.
Jeff also has extensive experience advising employers with regard to personnel policies and procedures, pay equity issues, reductions in force, employee privacy rights, wage and hour issues, drug and alcohol testing, employment agreements, independent contractor issues, and protection of employer trade secrets and noncompetition issues. He frequently conducts training seminars on diverse employment law issues, including sexual harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and supervision and discipline of employees.
- JD, University of Texas School of Law
With honors
- MA, Baylor University
- BS, Northwestern University
- California
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
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- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018-2025)
- Listed in Los Angeles Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) for Employment Litigation (2015-2023)
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating 5.0/5.0, Martindale-Hubbell (2004-2024)
- Recognized Attorney, Labor and Employment - Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions) The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2016)
- Listed in Los Angeles Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) "Rising Stars" for Employment Litigation (2004-2005)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, former co-president
- Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate Commission, former board of directors
- Western Justice Center, board of directors and executive committee
- Congregation Kol Ami (former board of trustees and executive committee)
- Co-Author, "California Judge Allows Pay Equity Class Action To Move Forward On Behalf Of Female Google Employees Who Were Employed In Thirty Separate Job Positions," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 30, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Back To The Drawing Board: California Court Rejects Pay Equity Claims Against Google, Holding That Class ‘Of All Women Employed By Google In California’ Is ‘Overbroad’,” Pay Equity Issues & Insights Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Equal Pay Day 2016: What Employers Need To Know To Comply With Recent Laws Designed To Decrease The Wage Gap Between Men And Women,” Association of Corporate Counsel (April 12, 2016)
- Co-Author, "What Procedures and Standards Apply to an Expungement Claim in an Employment Dispute that Does Not Involve a Customer Complaint?" Financial Services Employment Arbitration Q&A, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 7, 2013)
- Co-author, “Harassment Because of Age,” Workplace Harassment Law, BNA Books, Chapter 7
- Labor and Employment Client Strategies, Inside the Minds, Apastore Books (2007)
- “Effectively Ending Employment Relationships,” Andrews Litigation Reporter, Vol. 19, Issue 3 (August 31, 2004)
- “In Search of Discovery: The Split Between The Circuits Surrounding a Threshold Discoverability Requirement to Provide Assistance Under 28 U.S.C. § 1782,” Texas International Law Journal, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Summer 1995)
- "What’s Happening in Equal Pay," Silicon Valley Compensation Association, California Fair Pay Act Update (April 17, 2019)
- "What’s Happening in Equal Pay," Silicon Valley Compensation Association, Legal Update: CA Fair Pay Act (May 16, 2018)
- "Sexual Harassment and the #MeToo Movement," American Association of Political Consultants (April 10, 2018)
- "Global Pound Conferences Series," International Mediation Institute (March 16, 2017)
- "On Equal Pay Day - What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2016)
- "The Peculiarities of California Employment Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2011)
- "Transgender Employees in California: Best Practices for Eradicating Potential Bias and Ensuring Respect in Your Workplace," Webinar, Employer Resource Institute (April 20, 2011)
- "All You Need to Know about Litigating Discrimination and Wage and Hour Class Actions," Los Angeles County Bar Association Seminar, Labor and Employment Section (April 16, 2011)
- "How to Master Intermittent Leaves and Stop Leave Abuses," Business and Legal Reports, 2010 National Employment Law Update (October 27-29, 2010)
- "Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law," 2010 HRSouthwest Conference (October 10, 2010)
- "California Employment Law: The Basic Dos and Don’ts for Multi-State Employers," Webinar, Business and Legal Reports (May 7, 2010)
- "Explaining Why (and How) California Employment Laws Are So Different From Other States," Webinar, Business and Legal Reports (November 13, 2009)
- "Problem Employees: Proven Strategies for Coaching and Counseling Poor Performers," Business and Legal Reports, 2009 Employment Law Update (October 21, 2009)
- "Peculiarities Of California Employment Law," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, New York, NY (June 17, 2009)
- "Regulatory Changes To The FMLA: What California Employers Need To Know," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2009)
- "The Most Common Mistakes Your Supervisors Make – And How You Can Get Them To Stop," Business and Legal Reports, 2008 Employment Law Update (October 15-17, 2008)
- "Hold ‘Em or Fold ‘Em?: How Not To Lose The Attorney-Client Privilege," Association of Corporate Counsel of America, Southern California Chapter (July 16, 2008)
- "Family Leave In California: How To Catch (And Prevent) Abuses of FMLA And CFRA While Treating Your Employees Fairly," Audio Conference, Business and Legal Reports (November 14, 2007)
- "Family Obligations In The Workplace: Cutting Edge Issues," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 2007)
- "Pandemic Preparedness: Legal And Workplace Implications," ORC Business Preparedness Leadership Meeting (October 11, 2007)
- "Understanding And Preventing Unlawful Workplace Harassment," Western Suppliers Association (September 27, 2007)
- "Spotting and Preventing Leave Abuses Without Opening Yourself Up To A Lawsuit," Employer Resource Institute, 2007 Advanced California Employer Seminar (September 10-11, 2007)
- "Understanding And Preventing Unlawful Workplace Harassment," Western Suppliers Association (September 5, 2005)
- "Recent Developments In Employment Law," Los Angeles Paralegal Association Spring Career Conference (March 5, 2005)
- "Nightshift: Hot Topics In Employment Law," California Alliance of Paralegal Association (June 21, 2003)
- "Domestic Partners – Employment Issues: What Attorneys Need To Tell Their Clients," California State Bar Annual Meeting (October 10, 2002)
- "Clearing Up The Confusion Caused By The FLSA And State Wage And Hour Laws," Counsel on Education and Management, California Personnel Law Update (June 27, 2002)
- "Bringing The Right People Aboard," Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance (November 1999)
Jeff partners with clients to reach their business and employment related compliance objectives and is trusted by clients to defend them in a wide range of individual, collective and class action employment disputes.
More About Jeff
Jeff has represented employers in discrimination and wage and hour class actions, as well as cases regarding allegations of wrongful discharge, retaliation, and discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, filing of workers' compensation claims, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, and related matters. He has years of experience in managing client portfolios and successfully navigating single-plaintiff litigation matters. Jeff has also represented clients in traditional labor matters under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act, and has experience litigating claims of retaliation for employees exercising their statutory right to choose union representation, advising clients with regard to collective bargaining negotiations and union organizing campaigns, drafting employment contracts, and defending employers in arbitration of claims under collective bargaining agreements. He appears regularly in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies.
Jeff also has extensive experience advising employers with regard to personnel policies and procedures, pay equity issues, reductions in force, employee privacy rights, wage and hour issues, drug and alcohol testing, employment agreements, independent contractor issues, and protection of employer trade secrets and noncompetition issues. He frequently conducts training seminars on diverse employment law issues, including sexual harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and supervision and discipline of employees.
Jeff also has extensive experience advising employers with regard to personnel policies and procedures, pay equity issues, reductions in force, employee privacy rights, wage and hour issues, drug and alcohol testing, employment agreements, independent contractor issues, and protection of employer trade secrets and noncompetition issues. He frequently conducts training seminars on diverse employment law issues, including sexual harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and supervision and discipline of employees.
- JD, University of Texas School of Law
With honors
- MA, Baylor University
- BS, Northwestern University
- California
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Recognition
Aug 19, 2021
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2022
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018-2025)
- Listed in Los Angeles Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) for Employment Litigation (2015-2023)
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating 5.0/5.0, Martindale-Hubbell (2004-2024)
- Recognized Attorney, Labor and Employment - Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions) The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2016)
- Listed in Los Angeles Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) "Rising Stars" for Employment Litigation (2004-2005)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, former co-president
- Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate Commission, former board of directors
- Western Justice Center, board of directors and executive committee
- Congregation Kol Ami (former board of trustees and executive committee)
- Co-Author, "California Judge Allows Pay Equity Class Action To Move Forward On Behalf Of Female Google Employees Who Were Employed In Thirty Separate Job Positions," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 30, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Back To The Drawing Board: California Court Rejects Pay Equity Claims Against Google, Holding That Class ‘Of All Women Employed By Google In California’ Is ‘Overbroad’,” Pay Equity Issues & Insights Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Equal Pay Day 2016: What Employers Need To Know To Comply With Recent Laws Designed To Decrease The Wage Gap Between Men And Women,” Association of Corporate Counsel (April 12, 2016)
- Co-Author, "What Procedures and Standards Apply to an Expungement Claim in an Employment Dispute that Does Not Involve a Customer Complaint?" Financial Services Employment Arbitration Q&A, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 7, 2013)
- Co-author, “Harassment Because of Age,” Workplace Harassment Law, BNA Books, Chapter 7
- Labor and Employment Client Strategies, Inside the Minds, Apastore Books (2007)
- “Effectively Ending Employment Relationships,” Andrews Litigation Reporter, Vol. 19, Issue 3 (August 31, 2004)
- “In Search of Discovery: The Split Between The Circuits Surrounding a Threshold Discoverability Requirement to Provide Assistance Under 28 U.S.C. § 1782,” Texas International Law Journal, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Summer 1995)
- "What’s Happening in Equal Pay," Silicon Valley Compensation Association, California Fair Pay Act Update (April 17, 2019)
- "What’s Happening in Equal Pay," Silicon Valley Compensation Association, Legal Update: CA Fair Pay Act (May 16, 2018)
- "Sexual Harassment and the #MeToo Movement," American Association of Political Consultants (April 10, 2018)
- "Global Pound Conferences Series," International Mediation Institute (March 16, 2017)
- "On Equal Pay Day - What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2016)
- "The Peculiarities of California Employment Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2011)
- "Transgender Employees in California: Best Practices for Eradicating Potential Bias and Ensuring Respect in Your Workplace," Webinar, Employer Resource Institute (April 20, 2011)
- "All You Need to Know about Litigating Discrimination and Wage and Hour Class Actions," Los Angeles County Bar Association Seminar, Labor and Employment Section (April 16, 2011)
- "How to Master Intermittent Leaves and Stop Leave Abuses," Business and Legal Reports, 2010 National Employment Law Update (October 27-29, 2010)
- "Understanding the Peculiarities of California Labor and Employment Law," 2010 HRSouthwest Conference (October 10, 2010)
- "California Employment Law: The Basic Dos and Don’ts for Multi-State Employers," Webinar, Business and Legal Reports (May 7, 2010)
- "Explaining Why (and How) California Employment Laws Are So Different From Other States," Webinar, Business and Legal Reports (November 13, 2009)
- "Problem Employees: Proven Strategies for Coaching and Counseling Poor Performers," Business and Legal Reports, 2009 Employment Law Update (October 21, 2009)
- "Peculiarities Of California Employment Law," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, New York, NY (June 17, 2009)
- "Regulatory Changes To The FMLA: What California Employers Need To Know," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2009)
- "The Most Common Mistakes Your Supervisors Make – And How You Can Get Them To Stop," Business and Legal Reports, 2008 Employment Law Update (October 15-17, 2008)
- "Hold ‘Em or Fold ‘Em?: How Not To Lose The Attorney-Client Privilege," Association of Corporate Counsel of America, Southern California Chapter (July 16, 2008)
- "Family Leave In California: How To Catch (And Prevent) Abuses of FMLA And CFRA While Treating Your Employees Fairly," Audio Conference, Business and Legal Reports (November 14, 2007)
- "Family Obligations In The Workplace: Cutting Edge Issues," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 2007)
- "Pandemic Preparedness: Legal And Workplace Implications," ORC Business Preparedness Leadership Meeting (October 11, 2007)
- "Understanding And Preventing Unlawful Workplace Harassment," Western Suppliers Association (September 27, 2007)
- "Spotting and Preventing Leave Abuses Without Opening Yourself Up To A Lawsuit," Employer Resource Institute, 2007 Advanced California Employer Seminar (September 10-11, 2007)
- "Understanding And Preventing Unlawful Workplace Harassment," Western Suppliers Association (September 5, 2005)
- "Recent Developments In Employment Law," Los Angeles Paralegal Association Spring Career Conference (March 5, 2005)
- "Nightshift: Hot Topics In Employment Law," California Alliance of Paralegal Association (June 21, 2003)
- "Domestic Partners – Employment Issues: What Attorneys Need To Tell Their Clients," California State Bar Annual Meeting (October 10, 2002)
- "Clearing Up The Confusion Caused By The FLSA And State Wage And Hour Laws," Counsel on Education and Management, California Personnel Law Update (June 27, 2002)
- "Bringing The Right People Aboard," Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance (November 1999)