ABOUT

Jamie N. Stein

About Me

I’m a defense attorney with over 20 years of litigation experience. I support employers exclusively, defending their interests in litigation and consulting with them to identify industry-specific compliance issues and manners in which to remedy or mitigate associated risks.

As a litigator, I’ve secured pre-trial dismissals by way of court motions; tried cases in both state and federal court; obtained multiple full-defense judgments after trial; and argued before the California Court of Appeal. I defend clients against claims asserted on behalf of individuals and on representative (class and PAGA) bases. As a compliance consultant, I utilize my litigation experience to readily identify employment-law compliance issues and manners in which to correct or mitigate against associated risks.

What’s always mattered most to me is client connection, communication, and understanding. Not billing. Clients should know what’s occurring in their legal matters through frequent updates and conversations, not from their monthly invoice. I’ve seen how disconnected and frustrating the legal process can feel for clients. Too often, they're left waiting for answers, unclear about what’s happening, and unsure how their legal team’s strategy connects to their business goals. I knew there had to be a better way to practice.

Why I Co-Founded This Firm

I co-founded EmployLaw Group LLP with Ryan out of our mutual desire to create a practice that’s truly different, where clients, not billables, come first. A firm in which high-quality services are performed by attorneys who are focused and balanced, not overworked and burned out. Where the goal is to maintain long-lasting client relationships through consideration of their unique situation, needs, and goals. A firm in which partners remain accessible and involved throughout matters; and client priorities become our own.

This is the firm we wanted, so we built it.

My Approach

I bring a litigator’s mindset and a problem-solver’s focus to every matter. Whether it’s defending active litigation or consulting to determine long-term compliance strategies, I approach each issue with the long game in mind. I take the time to understand each client’s goals, business operations, and risk tolerance to ensure my services are relevant, practical, and tailored to what matters for them.

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all answers. Communication is central to how I work. I ensure I’m accessible and available; that clients always know where things stand and what comes next. No jargon. No guesswork. Just reliable, tailored support that’s grounded in our clients’ reality, not ours.

Education & Community

I earned my law degree from Southwestern University School of Law, where I was named to the Dean’s List, received the CALI Award for Excellence, and trained in courtroom advocacy through the school’s nationally recognized Trial Advocacy Honors Program. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley before settling in Ventura County, where I now live with my family that includes three kids and our rambunctious puppy Cooper. Most weekends, you’ll find me on the sidelines of a baseball field, basketball court, or athletic pool “momming hard”, coffee in hand. When I get time to myself, I’m happiest working in my greenhouse and exploring mountain trails.

Ryan Haws

About Me

I’ve helped California businesses confidently navigate workplace compliance and employee issues for over fifteen years, first as a litigator, now as a trusted advisor. After years in the litigation trenches, I shifted my focus to preventing legal disputes before they escalate. Throughout my career, I’ve partnered with hundreds of organizations from startups to established enterprises, crafting clear policies, minimizing risk, and resolving complex employment issues efficiently.

Why I Co-Founded EmployLaw Group LLP

Jamie and I co-founded EmployLaw Group LLP with a shared belief: legal services should be built on genuine client relationships, transparent communication, and practical solutions. Traditional firms often create distance between partners and clients. We’ve built a practice that prioritizes collaboration, mutual respect, and real connection, because our clients deserve nothing less.

My Approach

As a consultant first and former litigator second, I approach client relationships with strategy and a clear understanding of the legal landscape. I stay current on local ordinances, California and federal law, and pending bills, so I can offer proactive, forward-looking advice. I take time to understand your business culture and operations, ensuring my recommendations also align with your business goals. Clients always know where things stand and what’s coming next. I keep the law clear, the communication honest, and the focus on actional next steps..

Here’s how I can help:

• Employment Compliance Audits: Identifying and resolving compliance issues early, preventing costly lawsuits down the road.
• Litigation Risk Management: Minimizing litigation exposure to safeguard your business priorities.
• Policy Development: Developing clear, practical workplace policies and employee handbooks.
• Personnel Management Counseling: Coaching HR teams, managers, and business owners on disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and personnel challenges.
• Workplace Investigations: Leading or advising on investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other serious workplace misconduct.
• Disability Accommodations & Leaves of Absence: Guiding employers through accommodation and leave requests.
• Wage & Hour Compliance: Addressing misclassification, overtime, breaks, and other high-risk compliance areas.

My employment law commentary has been featured in business publications, with recognition from Pacific Coast Business Times as an emerging business leader and the Los Angeles Business Journal as a trusted advisor.

Education & Community

I earned my law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, a master’s from the University of Utah, and completed undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University. I regularly speak at live events and webinars hosted by PIHRA, NHRA, and EAC, where I break down complex legal topics into functional guidance for HR teams and business leaders. EmployLaw Group LLP also hosts its own webinars throughout the year, offering timely insights on California workplace laws and practical strategies for employers.

Born and raised in Ventura County, I now live in Newbury Park with my family. When I'm not advising clients, I’m surfing at beaches in Ventura and LA counties, coaching my kids’ teams, cheering on the Dodgers (Go Blue!), or shaping gemstones in my lapidary workshop. I speak conversational Spanish and often use it while volunteering in my community and church.

If you’re navigating an employment-related issue, or want to prevent one, I’d be glad to connect.

Manuel Ignacio

About Me

I've represented and defended California employers on all aspects of labor and employment law for over fifteen years, litigating in both State and Federal courts and appearing before a wide range of agencies — including the California Labor Commissioner's Office, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Cal-OSHA, the NLRB, the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, the California Civil Rights Department, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, and the EEOC. I've also assisted companies in defense of claims and investigations brought under the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

My Approach

My practice covers a broad range of litigation matters — wage and hour, class action, PAGA, and harassment and discrimination claims in state and federal court. What sets my approach apart is a diverse legal background that includes both workers' compensation defense and Cal-OSHA compliance and defense. That combination gives me invaluable insight into how workplace injury claims can overlap with discrimination, retaliation, failure to accommodate, and wage and hour issues — and how employers can successfully navigate the often tangled web of state and federal labor, wage and hour, workplace safety, and workers' compensation laws.

I also focus heavily on Cal-OSHA citation defense and regulatory compliance, guiding employers through the process of appealing, fighting, and/or settling claims, and helping ensure their workplaces and written policies are current and compliant. I frequently advise and defend employers on Workers' Compensation "Labor Code 132a" and "Serious and Willful Misconduct" claims, as well as other federal, state, and local agency enforcement actions.

Here’s how I can help:

• Labor & Employment Litigation: Defending employers against wage and hour, class action, PAGA, harassment, and discrimination claims in state and federal court.
• Cal-OSHA Compliance & Citation Defense: Guiding employers through appeals, settlements, and regulatory compliance to keep workplaces safe and policies up to date.
• Workers' Compensation Defense: Defending employers against workers' compensation claims, including Labor Code 132a and Serious and Willful Misconduct allegations.
• Agency Defense & Investigations: Representing employers before the Labor Commissioner, NLRB, ALRB, CRD, EEOC, CARB, EPA, and other federal and state agencies.
• Regulatory Compliance Counseling: Helping employers understand and manage obligations across the overlapping landscape of labor, wage and hour, safety, and workers' compensation law.