James P. Carter, Employment Attorney in Irvine, California
focused on Employment and Litigation
Irvine, CA
Trusted employment attorney serving Irvine.
Practices in
Are you James P. Carter?
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Quick answer
James P. Carter is an attorney based in Irvine, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
- Based in
- Irvine, CALIFORNIA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Employment · Litigation
- Handles Employment and Litigation matters from Irvine, CALIFORNIA.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Orange County) (2024).
About James P. Carter: James P. Carter is an attorney based in Irvine, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by James P. Carter
James concentrates on employment and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case James handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment cases in Irvine, California
James takes employment matters in Irvine, 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 James agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Irvine, California
James takes litigation matters in Irvine, 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 James agrees to represent you.
Biography
About James P. Carter — Attorney of California employment experience
James P. Carter is an attorney based in Irvine, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
James P. Carter is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C.
He counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, non-compete and trade-secret issues and claims, class action cases, breach of contract claims, disability accommodation, leave of absence, and workers' compensation issues. James represents clients in many industries including financial, bio-tech, restaurant and food, aerospace, high-tech, property management, and insurance.
Litigation Experience- Settled a wage and hour class action alleging unpaid overtime due to invalid alternative work schedule, missed meal and rest breaks, inaccurate wage statements, and related penalties in the Industrial Construction, Solutions and Supplies industry
- Settled a wage and hour class action alleging missed meal and rest breaks, off-the-clock work, improper wage deductions and unpaid bonuses, inaccurate wage statements, and related penalties for a Medical Device company
- Settled a wage and hour class action alleging unpaid overtime due to invalid alternative work schedule, off-the-clock work, missed meal and rest breaks, unreimbursed expenses and unpaid bonuses, inaccurate wage statements, and related penalties in the Mining industry
- Settled a wage and hour class action alleging unpaid overtime due to misclassification, missed meal and rest breaks, unreimbursed expenses, and unpaid bonuses, inaccurate wage statements and related penalties for a Medical Supply company
- Defeated a class certification of a wage and hour class action alleging unpaid overtime due to misclassification, missed meal and rest breaks, inaccurate wage statements, and related penalties for an Insurance company
- Defeated a class certification in various wage and hour class actions alleging missed meal and rest breaks, off-the-clock work, inaccurate wage statements, and related penalties for a Financial company
- Successfully litigating individual plaintiff cases to judgment, grant of summary judgment, defense awards in arbitration and through mediation
James's approach to employment cases
James P. Carter is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, non-compete and trade-secret issues and claims, class action cases, breach of contract claims, disability accommodation, leave of absence, and…
The kind of cases James takes
James reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment and litigation matters in Irvine and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
James P. Carter's legal education and bar admissions
Birmingham School of Law
J.D. · 1990
James studied at J.D. in Birmingham School of Law.
Law school and academic background
James completed J.D. in Birmingham School of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice James runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of James P. Carter
James has received 7 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Orange County)
2024
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Orange County)
2021
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management (Orange County)
2015
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Orange County) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Orange County) (2021). Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management (Orange County) (2015). Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026).
Locations
James P. Carter's office in Irvine
James's primary office is at 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 500, Irvine, California, 92618. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of James P. Carter
James has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
No reviews yet
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire James P. Carter — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with James usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
James charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain James'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; James will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in Irvine, 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 James
James 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. James confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
James'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 James P. Carter
How much does it cost to hire James for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. James walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does James offer a free consultation?
James charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check James'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. James gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can James take my case if I'm outside Irvine?
James 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 — James 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 James?
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. James will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is James accepting new employment clients right now?
James'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 Irvine, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
James handles employment matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 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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