Overview

Jabari Willis is Partner at Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo in Cerritos, CA.  He provides human resources and employment-related counseling and training to employers on a wide variety of issues, including hiring, terminations, performance management, leaves of absence, and workplace violence.  He also conducts workplace investigations and audits of workplace policies and procedures.

In his litigation practice, Jabari represents employers in both the public and private sectors.  He handles labor and employment and education law matters for public entities, including school districts, related to collective bargaining, certificated and classified employee discipline, reductions in force, contract grievances, board governance and Brown Act compliance.  Jabari also represents school districts in all aspects of special education law, including federal appeals of special education administrative decisions.  In addition, he has served as outside general counsel for a number of school districts, managing matters across various practice areas on behalf of the districts.  For private sector clients, Jabari litigates claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.  Jabari also serves on Atkinson Andelson’s firmwide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Honors & Recognitions

  • From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Willis was named a "Southern California Rising Star" by Los Angeles magazine, based on a poll of selected Southern California lawyers. This recognition honors exceptional Southern California attorneys who are under the age of 40.
  • In 2014, Mr. Willis was named to Lawyers of Color's Second Annual Hot List, which recognizes early- to mid-career attorneys excelling in the legal profession.
  • In 2012, Mr. Willis was selected as a "2012 Nation's Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40" by the National Bar Association and IMPACT.

Practice Areas

News & Publications

Events & Speaking Engagements

He has conducted FRISK® presentations for school district clients and presented at the Special Education Training Academy (SETA) and various education conferences.

Publications

Mr. Willis contributes regularly to the firm’s education law blog, EdLawConnect, and other publications.

Community Involvement

Community & Professional

  • John Langston Bar Association, former Board Member
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member

Education

J.D., Loyola Law School
B.A., Morehouse College

Admissions

  • 2005, California
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    U.S. District Courts, Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California


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