CJ Pearl
Principal & Founder
CJ Pearl has practiced employment law for nearly two decades, mastering his craft while successfully representing corporations, management and executives in all aspects of wage and hour compliance, termination, discrimination and harassment issues. Empathetic, personable and dependable, CJ has extensive experience litigating high-profile labor and employment cases throughout the United States – from single-plaintiff cases to class and representative actions.
"I believe in a preventative approach to advising and defending clients, working to best resolve or avoid litigation in an efficient and economical way. This matter-of-fact approach and professionalism has garnered the respect of my clients, the bench, and opposing counsel."
CJ previously worked at one of the largest international labor and employment firms in the country and has spent his career working with some of the top lawyers in California, representing a variety of companies, schools, and individuals. This experience prepared CJ to open Pearl Legal in 2018, quickly building one of the most prestigious boutique law firms in California, with clients ranging from small businesses and start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
CJ’s reputation, from a large firm corporate lawyer to a boutique law firm owner continues to grow. From 2012-2016, he was named a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (reserved for no more than 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40) and in his first year leading his own firm, was named a Southern California Super Lawyer in the Employment Litigation – Defense category (reserved for no more than 5% of all lawyers). CJ is commonly sought out to provide high-level guidance and litigation defense to companies, schools, and individuals throughout California and the United States.
CJ earned a B.A. in History from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo, graduating as a member of the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta. While in college, CJ served as a legislative intern for U.S. Congressman and House Leadership member William "Bill" Paxon. He was also accepted to study Humanities and Literature at Oxford University (New College).
CJ later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law. His matriculation included serving as a certified clinical legal intern with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the vice president of the Student Bar Association.
Practice Area
Labor and Employment
Business Litigation
Education
Undergraduate: State University Of New York, College at Geneseo (1998)
Law School: University of Pittsburgh School of Law (2001)
Bar Affiliations/Memberships
State Bar of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Courts
Central, Northern, Southern Districts of California and District of Colorado
Client Highlights
Anti-SLAPP Motion: Successful Special Motion to Strike on behalf of a private school and church, including the recovery of more than $13,000 in client attorney fees.
Advice and counsel: Assisted large international corporation in overhauling the Human Resources department and resolving complex personnel issues.
Representation of C-level executives: Successfully represented the President of a major health corporation through a resignation and triggering of “golden parachute” benefits, despite employer challenges.
Class Action: Successful Motion to Compel Arbitration of California class action.
Liability Claim: Numerous settlements against clients for a fraction of potential liability.
A Lawyer with Ties to the Community
CJ spends his down time enjoying Southern California with his wife, Jenifer (also a lawyer), and their son (12) and daughter (10). He’s also a Little League and travel baseball manager and serves on the executive council of the Mission Viejo-area YMCA Adventure Guides Program. CJ volunteers with the Orange County Second Harvest Food Bank and the Community Action Partnership of Orange County. He also helped establish Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) at Ladera Ranch Elementary School.