S Ward Heinrichs | San Diego Employment Lawyer

Our California Employment Law firm dedicates itself to giving the best representation we can to clients who need counsel, help settling a case, assistance with negotiating severance, and/or expertise with litigating their employment issues. During my 30 years of practice in San Diego Ca., I have had the pleasure of helping fine, deserving people resolve their legal disputes.

I help both EMPLOYEES  and EMPLOYERS. I appear at government agency hearings: EDD (unemployment), Labor Commissioner (DLSE), Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner (EEOC), Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), etc.

I also litigate in both state and federal courts. I have represented many lead plaintiffs in class action litigation when an employer’s conduct has harmed many employees. I also file suit for deserving employees who only have their own legitimate employment claims. I give advice to employers who need help meeting their employment obligations and keeping out of trouble. If necessary, I litigate for employers and represent them before government agencies.

Before enrolling in law school in 1988, I served my country as a United State Marine Corps artillery officer. Before joining the Marines, I grew up in Indiana and attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville Indiana.

As a native San Diegan,  I know many of the judges in both the courts and the county administrative offices and I know local legal customs. I have a strong local referral network for cases I do not handle and for other professional services and I use my local knowledge and connections to benefit my clients.

Unlike Employee cases, most employer cases must proceed on an hourly fee arrangement, but that is not always the case. If another fee arrangement is possible, I will discuss that with you. I thank you in advance for considering our firm. We hope to be able to work with you in the near future.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Partner	Puglia & Heinrichs		1996 – 2000
Lieutenant	United States Marine Corps		1983 – 1987

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
University of San Diego School of Law	J.D.	Law School	1991
University of San Diego	M.B.A.		1991
Wabash Coll; Crawfordsville IN	Bachelor		1983

State / Court	Date
California	1992

• Member | U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2010
  Member | U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 2010
  Member | U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1992
  Member | U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1994
  Member | California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section

Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.
	8:00 am - 5:00 pm	8:00 am - 5:00 pm	8:00 am - 5:00 pm	8:00 am - 5:00 pm	8:00 am - 5:00 pm

S Ward Heinrichs has been a Premium Member since February 18, 2025.
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Verified Credentials	Date Verified
	February 19, 2025

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