Respected California Employment Attorneys and Litigators Matt Drenan, Charles Whitman Join Quarles San Diego Office as Partners
November 25, 2024 (San Diego) – The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today that Matt Drenan and Charles Whitman have joined the firm’s San Diego office as partners in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. Drenan and Whitman, who each bring extensive experience advising clients on an array of labor and employment issues and commercial litigation disputes, previously were at Am Law 200 firm Buchalter.
The pair joins a San Diego team that has grown by 40% since it joined Quarles in January 2023.
“Matt and Charles have tremendous reputations as thoughtful advisors and savvy litigators who always have their clients’ best interests top of mind,” said Fred Plevin, Quarles San Diego office managing partner. “The diversity of their practices and the industries they’ve represented perfectly complements our ongoing California growth strategy. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the Quarles team.”
Drenan handles a wide range of labor, employment and commercial litigation matters, including single plaintiff, complex, class and representative action defense in both state and federal court. He also advises clients in areas such as wage and hour compliance, class actions, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) litigation, and wage and hour disputes. Drenan is a highly respected transportation, logistics and maritime attorney whose practice includes counsel on international matters.
Drenan was named by Best Lawyers in America to its 2021-2024 “Ones to Watch” list for his work in Labor & Employment Law: Management. He earned a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, J.D. from California Western School of Law and Master of Laws in Admiralty and Maritime Law from Tulane University Law School.
“Quarles’ full-service platform, national footprint and positive culture perfectly parallel my practice and client portfolio,” said Drenan. “I look forward to broadening Quarles’ bench in California and contributing to the firm’s growth nationwide.”
Whitman counsels clients on an array of workplace issues, business disputes, and government investigations and prosecutions. He is experienced dealing with all aspects of state and federal employment litigation, including wage and hour class and representative actions, PAGA litigation, and single plaintiff wage and hour disputes. Whitman also represents individuals and companies facing complex commercial litigation and government enforcement actions.
Recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2023 and 2024, Whitman is a former U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate who was awarded The Commandant’s Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance, as the top legal assistance attorney in the U.S. Marine Corps. He also served as special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona and the Southern District of California.
Whitman received his B.A. from Westmont College and J.D. from California Western School of Law.
“I am thrilled to join the Quarles team and continue the growth and diversification of the legal services Quarles offers in California,” Whitman said. “I look forward to bringing to bear Quarles’ national platform to best serve my clients and working with my new colleagues around the country.”