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Phillip Simpler

Partner


San Diego

t:858.597.9604

f:858.597.9601

Email

Service Focus

  • California Litigation and Appellate
  • Class and Collective Actions
  • Employee Leaves and Accommodations
  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • California Class Actions and PAGA
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Phil Simpler represents national, regional, and local employers in all areas of labor and employment litigation, including wrongful termination, defamation, harassment, discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, wage and hour class actions, and PAGA cases. Phil also advises employers in all areas of their daily employment practices and other developments in the legal landscape. 

Phil is a passionate advocate for employers, with an emphasis on dispositive motion work and finding creative ways to achieve favorable outcomes early in litigation. He has experience vigorously defending employers at both the trial and appellate levels, including as second chair of a trial team that favorably achieved a complete defense verdict after a three week jury trial. 

Phil is an active member in the legal community and has served in leadership roles of multiple local organizations. As a Board Member of the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego, Phil works to support diversity and inclusion within the legal community and beyond. Phil also donates his time as a volunteer attorney for the California Innocence Project working to free innocent individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.

Phil’s track-record of success has been recognized by his peers, as he was named a San Diego Super Lawyers – Rising Star in 2019 and 2020 for his work in labor and employment law. He is regularly called upon to speak on emerging legal issues facing employers, including #MeToo Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace. 

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2013, cum laude, University of San Diego School of Law
  • B.A., 2010, magna cum laude, College of Charleston

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Recognitions

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019 – 2020)

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Korean American Bar Assoc. (2018 – present): Board Member (2019 – 2020)
  • Lawyers Club (2016 – present): Annual Dinner Committee (2017)
  • San Diego County Bar Assoc. (2013 – present):
    • New Lawyer Forum Vice Chair (2018)
    • New Lawyer Forum Executive Committee (2017 – 2018)
    • “For the Record” – Editor in Chief (2018)
    • Strategic Framework Committee (2018)

Community Activities

  • California Innocence Project – Volunteer Attorney

Insights

  • Insights

    10/04/21

    The Top 18 Workplace Law Stories from September 2021

    Cheryl L. Behymer, Hannah Sweiss, Nicholas S. Hulse, Todd B. Logsdon, Travis Vance, David Klass, Samantha J. Monsees, Patrick W. Dennison, Steven M. Bernstein, George A. Reeves III, Ben Carney, Micah Dawson, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Phillip Simpler, Marisol Ruiz, Abby H. Putzulu, Phillip C. Bauknight, Nicole Kamm, Joshua H. Viau, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • Insights

    09/16/21

    The Arbitration Whipsaw Continues – Court Reinstates Portions of California Prohibition of Mandatory Arbitration Agreements

    Benjamin M. Ebbink, Phillip Simpler

    Read more 

  • Insights

    10/02/20

    September 2020: The Top 16 Labor And Employment Law Stories

    George D. Adams, Michelle I. Anderson, Cheryl L. Behymer, Melissa Camire, Myra K. Creighton, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Gabrielle Giombetti, Alexa Greenbaum, Marty Heller, Todd A. Lyon, Richard R. Meneghello, John M. Polson, Phillip Simpler, John K. Skousen, Hannah Sweiss, A. Kevin Troutman, Megan E. Walker, Alexander A. Wheatley, Sheila M. Abron, Arthur M. Wolfson

    Read more 

  • Insights

    09/22/20

    Keep It Neutral: Proposed Guidance Calls For Stricter Test When Evaluating Employer Support Of Union Activity

    Todd A. Lyon, Phillip Simpler, Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • News

    09/17/20

    Fisher Phillips Welcomes Employment Duo in San Diego

    Ben Carney, Phillip Simpler

    Read more 

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