Justin F. Marquez

Justin F. Marquez brings over 15 years of distinguished experience in complex litigation to Signature Resolution.  He has successfully litigated class actions and individual employment cases at the highest levels, including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Court of Appeal, and federal district courts nationwide. A recognized leader in class action litigation, Justin has a proven track record of securing landmark victories in wage and hour, consumer protection, and data breach cases. In 2024, the Daily Journal honored him with the prestigious California Lawyers Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award, one of the state’s highest legal accolades. Justin’s deep legal expertise, combined with his strategic approach to risk assessment and settlement dynamics, allows him to offer unparalleled insight into case resolution. As a mediator, he is committed to guiding parties toward intelligent, collaborative solutions that achieve meaningful and effective outcomes. ​

Before transitioning to mediation at Signature Resolution, Justin was a Senior Partner at Wilshire Law Firm, where he founded and led the firm’s wage and hour class action practice. Under his leadership, the department grew from the ground up in 2019 into one of California’s most formidable class action teams and the highest volume practice in California, with over 30 dedicated attorneys. Prior to Wilshire Law Firm, he played a key role in establishing the wage and hour class action practice at Moon & Yang, now Moon Law Group. Over the course of his career, he has successfully settled hundreds of cases in mediations as lead counsel across diverse industries—from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. With his extensive background running a large and highly successful class action practice, he brings a comprehensive understanding of the realities both plaintiffs and defendants face, as well as the nuanced factors that shape how they value their cases.​​

Throughout his career, Justin has played a pivotal role in shaping employment and consumer protection law, securing groundbreaking victories that have influenced both California and federal jurisprudence. His notable achievements include briefing, arguing and prevailing in Yocupicio v. PAE Group LLC, 795 F.3d 1057 (9th Cir. 2015), which set a critical precedent by holding that PAGA claims cannot be included in the amount in controversy when determining CAFA jurisdiction, even when alleged in a class action complaint. He also authored the class certification briefs in ABM Industries Overtime Cases, 19 Cal.App.5th 277 (2017), a key decision that reversed the denial of class certification for over 40,000 workers with overtime, meal period, split shift and reimbursement claims. The ruling clarified California law on expert evidence and ascertainability, ultimately leading to a historic $140 million settlement—one of the largest wage and hour class action settlements in state history.​

In consumer class actions, Marquez has been instrumental in securing many major legal victories. He was part of the legal team in Moore v. Centrelake Medical Group, Inc., 83 Cal.App.5th 515 (2022), a pivotal case that clarified standing for data breach victims under the Unfair Competition Law and the standard for damages recoverable in data breach cases, such as benefit of the bargain damages. He also helped achieve multimillion-dollar settlements, including a $25 million false advertising settlement in Peters v. Apple and a $14 million data breach settlement in Schumacher v. Bank of Hope.​

Justin also has a strong track record in individual employment litigation. Notably, he was part of a legal team that secured a $3 million verdict in an associational disability discrimination case on behalf of a low-wage worker. This victory was recognized by TopVerdict.com as the 11th largest Labor & Employment Verdict in California in 2018.

Over his career, Justin has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements for plaintiffs. In 2023 alone, as lead counsel, he secured over $75 million in class action settlements.​

Justin’s accomplishments have earned him widespread recognition among his peers. In 2024, he received the CLAY Award from the Daily Journal for his role in the Peters v. Apple false advertising class action. He has been recognized among the “Best Lawyers in America” since 2023, designated as a “Super Lawyer” since 2022, and previously honored as a “Super Lawyer Rising Star.”​

Beyond his legal victories, Justin is an active leader in the legal community. He has served on committees for the California Employment Lawyers Association and the Board of Directors for Consumer Attorneys of California. A sought-after speaker, he regularly presents on advanced class action topics, including at the California Employment Lawyers Association’s annual Advanced Wage & Hour Conference. Justin is also a dedicated mentor to young attorneys, guiding them in their professional growth and development.​

Justin began his mediation career as a volunteer settlement officer in the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Resolve Law Mandatory Settlement Conference Program, handling personal injury and employment cases. Drawing on his extensive litigation experience, he facilitates intelligent, thoughtful discussions that navigate the complexities and risks of each case.​

With substantial expertise in employment and consumer class action laws, as well as the FEHA, Justin brings a dynamic, insightful, and pragmatic approach to resolving even the most challenging disputes. His ability to listen, empathize, and connect with all parties stems from his upbringing—his parents, small business owners who provide care for children and young adults with developmental disabilities, instilled in him the values of hard work, sacrifice, and integrity. Having defended them in multiple Department of Labor investigations, he intimately understands the legal compliance challenges and litigation stress that business owners face in California. This firsthand perspective enables him to craft fair, strategic, and effective resolutions for all parties.