Charles Lea Deem, Employment Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 43 years of legal practice · focused on Employment, Estate Litigation, and Insurance · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratDLA Piper LLP (US)
San Diego, CA
Practicing employment in San Diego since 1983.
- 43+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Charles Lea Deem?
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Quick answer
Charles Lea Deem is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Estate Litigation, and Insurance. Charles has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at DLA Piper LLP (US). Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 43 years
- Known for
- Employment · Estate Litigation · Insurance
- Handles Employment, Estate Litigation, and Insurance matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 43 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Charles Lea Deem: Charles Lea Deem is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Estate Litigation, and Insurance. Charles has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at DLA Piper LLP (US). Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Charles Lea Deem
Charles concentrates on employment, estate litigation, insurance, litigation, and real estate. Each area below outlines the kind of case Charles handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment
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Estate Litigation
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Insurance
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Litigation
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Real Estate
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Employment cases in San Diego, California
Charles takes employment matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Estate Litigation cases in San Diego, California
Charles takes estate litigation matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in San Diego, California
Charles takes insurance matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Diego, California
Charles takes litigation matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Real Estate cases in San Diego, California
Charles takes real estate matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Charles Lea Deem — Over 43 years of California employment experience
Charles Lea Deem is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Estate Litigation, and Insurance. Charles has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at DLA Piper LLP (US). Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Charles Lea Deem is a lawyer practicing litigation, real estate, employment and 5 other areas of law. Charles received a A.B. degree from University of Southern California in 1977, and has been licensed for 43 years. Charles practices at DLA Piper LLP (US) in San Diego, CA.
Charles's approach to employment cases
Charles Lea Deem is a lawyer practicing litigation, real estate, employment and 5 other areas of law. Charles received a A.B. degree from University of Southern California in 1977, and has been licensed for 43 years. Charles practices at DLA Piper LLP (US) in San Diego, CA.
The kind of cases Charles takes
Charles reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment, estate litigation, and insurance matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Charles Lea Deem's legal education and bar admissions
Brigham Young University
J.D. · 1983
University of Southern California
A.B. History · 1977
Jurisdictions
Charles's state bar admissions
California U.S. Cour
1983 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1983 · ACTIVE
Charles studied at J.D. in Brigham Young University and A.B. History in University of Southern California.
Law school and academic background
Charles completed J.D. in Brigham Young University and A.B. History in University of Southern California. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Charles runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Charles Lea Deem
Charles has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Charles's professional memberships and bar associations
San Diego County Bar Association The State Bar of California
membership
Locations
Charles Lea Deem's office in San Diego
Charles's primary office is at 401 B St., Ste. 1700, San Diego, CA, 92101-4297. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Charles Lea Deem — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Charles. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing employment attorneys in San Diego.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Charles Lea Deem claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Charles Lea Deem — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Charles usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Charles charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Charles's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Charles will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many employment matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Charles
Charles discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in employment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every employment matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Charles confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Charles's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many employment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Charles Lea Deem
How much does it cost to hire Charles for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Charles walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Charles offer a free consultation?
Charles charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Charles's office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check Charles's current terms during booking.
How long do employment cases in California typically take?
Simple employment matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Charles gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Charles take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Charles is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Charles will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Charles?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Charles will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Charles accepting new employment clients right now?
Charles's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Employment attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Charles handles employment matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
More counsel
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If Charles's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these employment attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





