Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce David C. Leimbach has joined the firm’s San Francisco office as a principal. David has almost 20 years of experience in complex litigation, appeals and government enforcement proceedings. His practice at Jackson Lewis will focus on appellate and trial matters, class actions and litigation under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). David joins the firm from the California Department of Justice, where he served as a supervising deputy attorney general in the Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section.
“David has seen complex employment disputes from the perspective of both plaintiffs’ counsel and a government enforcer, and that experience will be a real asset to our clients,” said Lisa Barnett Sween, San Francisco office managing principal. “He understands how these cases are built and where the challenges arise, which will help employers anticipate issues and make informed decisions at every stage of litigation, from trial through appeal.”
In his previous role with the California Department of Justice, Leimbach led attorneys, investigators and support staff in enforcing California’s labor and employment laws, with a focus on wage theft, worker misclassification, gig economy litigation and restrictive worker covenants. He also advised senior leadership on labor policy and significant investigations and collaborated with federal, state and local agencies on enforcement efforts.
Before joining the California Department of Justice, David was a partner at a national class action and complex litigation firm. He served as lead counsel in wage and hour class actions, collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, PAGA proceedings and other employment and consumer disputes. His practice spanned multiple states and all phases of litigation, from pre-complaint investigations through trial and appeal.
David’s appellate experience includes briefing and oral arguments before federal and California appellate courts on issues involving class certification, arbitration, worker classification and PAGA. His background in private practice and government enforcement brings an additional perspective to the firm’s representation of employers in complex workplace disputes.
“I’m excited to join Jackson Lewis and bring my litigation and enforcement experience to helping employers address complex workplace disputes,” said David. “The firm’s depth in labor and employment law and collaborative approach make it a great place to build this next chapter of my practice. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in San Francisco and across the country.”
Earlier in his career, David served as a law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe in the Eastern District of California. He earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law and his B.B.A. from Niagara University. David’s arrival follows the addition of five other principals to Jackson Lewis’ California offices since June 2026, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in its California team and the employers it serves.
Source: www.jacksonlewis.com
