Shirin Forootan

SF image

Shirin Forootan is a Partner at Workplace Justice Advocates, Professional Law Corporation, where she exclusively represents employees and executives in employment litigation, including claims for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage disputes. She brings to the table over a decade of experience practicing law. Ms. Forootan spent many years at reputable defense firms representing employers in employment litigation so she is well-positioned to avoid and overcome many of the challenges presented by defense lawyers in litigation.

Ms. Forootan commenced her career at Latham & Watkins LLP in 2008 after earning her law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She earned her Bachelor degrees in both Communications and Law & Society from the University of California, San Diego in 2005, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude.

Ms. Forootan routinely speaks and publishes on a variety of labor and employment topics, including equal pay, sexual harassment, and updates in employment law. Because she has demonstrated an excellence in the practice of law, Ms. Forootan has been selected to Super Lawyers’ Southern California “Rising Stars” for several consecutive years, which is a distinction reserved for just two and one-half percent of the attorneys in California. She has also been selected by the Orange County Women Lawyers Association as an “Everyday Hero” and by the Orange County Business Journal as a “Women in Business” nominee.

Ms. Forootan is also passionate about serving her community as well as her clients. She has served in many leadership roles for the Orange County Bar Association, including on the Board of Directors, the Lawyer Well-Being Task Force, the Community Outreach Committee, and Mommy Esquire. Most notably, she is currently leading her practice area as the Chair-Elect of the Labor & Employment Section in 2019 and Chair in 2020. She is a also a long-time supporter of the Orange County United Way, currently serving on the Community Impact Cabinet and on the Advisory Council for UpSkill OC–a workforce development initiative to reduce the skills gap in Orange County.

Education
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 2008B.A., University of California, San Diego, 2005

Jurisdictions Admitted to PracticeState Bar of California, 2008
Supreme Court of California, 2008
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2011
Professional & Bar Association MembershipsOrange County Bar Association
Member Since: 2008
Legal Honors/Awards

  • The Rising Star, California Super Lawyers Magazine, 2015-2018
  • Orange County Business Journal, Women in Business and Women of the Year, 2015-2018
  • Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Everyday Hero, 2018