Shirin Forootan, Managing Attorney

Shirin Forootan is the Managing Attorney at Forootan Law, where she provides a wide variety of services related to employment law, including litigation (both sides), workplace investigations, advice & counsel, workforce training, and expert witness testimony. She brings to the table over fourteen years of experience practicing law in Orange County, where she has had the privilege of litigating cases at large, medium, and small law firms, on both the defense and plaintiff’s side. 

Ms. Forootan is well-versed in California employment laws, particularly claims for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage disputes. 

Ms. Forootan commenced her career at Latham & Watkins LLP after earning her law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She earned her Bachelor degrees in both Communications and Law & Society from the University of California, San Diego, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude.

Ms. Forootan routinely speaks and publishes on a variety of labor and employment topics, including equal pay, sexual harassment, and updates in employment law. Because she has demonstrated an excellence in the practice of law, Ms. Forootan has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” as well as a “Rising Star” for several consecutive years, which is a distinction reserved for just two and one-half percent of the attorneys in California. She has also been selected  by the Orange County Women Lawyers Association as an “Everyday Hero” and by the Orange County Business Journal as a “Women in Business” nominee.

Ms. Forootan is also passionate about serving her community as well as her clients. She was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the Orange County Bar Association, as Secretary in 2023, Treasurer in 2024, President-Elect in 2025, President in 2026 and Past President in 2027. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Women Lawyers Association. She has served in numerous leadership roles for the Orange County Bar Association, including on the Board of Directors, the Judiciary Committee, the Legislative Resolutions Committee, the Administration of Justice Committee, the Lawyer Well-Being Committee, the Community Outreach Committee, and Mommy Esquire Committee. She has also led her practice area as the Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Section. 

Ms. Forootan is also a long-time supporter of the Orange County United Way, currently serving on the United for Financial Security Leadership Council, Community Impact Cabinet, and the Advisory Council for UpSkill OC–a workforce development initiative to reduce the skills gap in Orange County. She has also generously supported United Way’s key initiatives–dedicated to social responsibility and committed to creating a stronger community–by serving as a member of Orange County United Way’s President’s Circle, Alexis de Tocqueville Society, and Women United.

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

B.A., University of California, San Diego

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

State Bar of California

Professional Memberships

Orange County Bar Association

Association of Workplace Investigators

Society for Human Resource Management 

Legal Honors/Awards

Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers Magazine

Rising Star, California Super Lawyers Magazine

Orange County Business Journal, Women in Business Nominee

Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Everyday Hero

Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services

In the Press