Fisher Phillips Names Jeffrey Thurrell as Regional Managing Partner of Irvine Office

Fisher Phillips, one of the country’s preeminent labor and employment law firms representing employers, announces that Jeffrey Thurrell is the new Regional Managing Partner of the firm’s Irvine office, effective January 1, 2022.

Jeff moved to Orange County where he began his legal career with Fisher Phillips in 2000. As a partner, he serves as lead litigation counsel in state and federal court matters and provides labor and employment advice to his clients. Jeff works with employers in California’s hospitality industry and serves as counsel to and is a member of the Board of Directors of the California Hotel & Lodging Association, the largest state lodging industry association in the nation. He also serves as labor and employment counsel for many PEOs and staffing companies. Jeff regularly presents to trade groups and associations on workplace best practices and works hand in hand with clients to find practical solutions to many difficult workplace issues that California’s employers face. 

"Fisher Phillips’ Irvine office plays an integral role in offering our multistate clients across the U.S. access to a dynamic roster of employment counsel on the West Coast,” said Roger Quillen, Chairman and Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips. "Jeff's shared vision to provide excellent client service and recruit and develop top talent will continue to strengthen our position as one of California’s go-to firms for employment law.”

Jeff succeeds Jim McDonald, who decided to step aside to focus full time on his law practice after completing 20 years of service as the firm’s managing partner in Irvine.  Under Jim’s leadership, the Irvine office grew to become the firm’s largest and one of its most diverse.  In 2021 alone, 15 attorneys joined Fisher Phillips in Irvine.  Jim also played a key role in expanding the firm’s West Coast footprint by helping to develop the firm’s San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Phoenix offices.  During his service as regional managing partner, Jim also served for more than 20 years on the Board of Directors of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, including two terms as Board chair.

“Today the Irvine office stands out as a leader in providing high-quality legal services and responsive and practical advice to its employer clients,” said Jeff.  “I look forward to building upon the momentum that Jim created for Fisher Phillips by continuing to expand our practice in California and cultivating our next generation of leaders.” Jim added: “Jeff has all of the right qualities to succeed in this role and to make our successful office even better.”