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William V. Whelan

William V. Whelan
Partner | General Counsel

(t) 619.238.4828
(f) 619.231.4755

Many lawyers seem to only give the ‘legal’ answer or just say ‘no, you can’t do that.’ My clients appreciate my giving them pragmatic solutions to their business problems. My goal is to find a legal way to get my clients to where they want to be.

Bill specializes in and labor and employment issues, primarily on behalf of management. Bill has extensive litigation experience, including both jury and bench trials. He has successfully handled many wrongful terminations, discrimination, wage and hour class actions, employee compensation cases, and other matters for a wide range of companies. He has also successfully handled partnership disputes, contract cases, non-compete contract claims, trade secret cases, and interference with contractual relations claims. He also advises clients on employment law issues and provides training.

  • University of California Los Angeles, J.D. 1984
  • Pomona College, B.A. 1981
  • Selected for The Best Lawyers In America®– Labor & Employment, 2023-2024
  • Selected for The Best Lawyers In America®– Employment Law, 2012-2024
  • San Diego Super Lawyers® ­ Employment & Labor, 2007-2019, 2022-2023
  • Southern California Best Lawyers® , 2021 – 2022
  • San Diego Magazine’s Top Lawyers in San Diego® – Business Litigation, 2022
  • Martindale­Hubbell AV Preeminent® Rated
  • San Diego Magazine’s Top Lawyers in San Diego® – Employment Law, 2016, 2018 – 2020
  • San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders in Law Award Winner – Labor & Employment, 2019
  • Wall Street Journal, Best Lawyers in Southern California, 2018
  • AV Top Rated Lawyer®- Employment Law, Employment Discrimination Law, 2012- 2016
  • San Diego Business Journal Best of the Bar, 2014
  • Externed for the Honorable Lawrence Irving, former U.S. District Court Judge in San Diego
  • Member of the California State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
  • Past Chair and Vice Chair, San Diego County Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Ethics and Unlawful Practice
  • Past Member of the State Bar of California’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (three-year term)
  • Former Board member, Pro Kids Gold Academy- San Diego
  • Former Board member, Girl Scouts San Diego
  • Former Board member, San Diego History Center
  • Board of Directors, St. Vincent de Paul Villages, 1993-2022