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Clarisse C. Petersen

Principal
Orange County
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Clarisse C. Petersen is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She counsels and defends employers in all aspects of employment law, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, defamation, disability-related claims, breach of contract, and wage-and-hour violations.

A fierce advocate for employers, Clarisse strives to connect with her clients to understand their story, their people, and their vision—which, in turn, allows her to craft thoughtful and practical solutions tailored to the client’s goals. Whenever possible, her advice to clients weaves in the same core values and collaborative environment that Jackson Lewis thrives on to this day.

Clarisse has been an avid litigator her entire career and has taken several cases to trial or arbitration. In her last trial, Clarisse obtained a unanimous defense verdict following a three-week jury trial in Ventura County Superior Court. She has also achieved summary adjudication on behalf of clients and frequently resolves lawsuits for less than the client’s authority or potential exposure.

Aside from litigating, Clarisse’s true passion lies in recruiting and mentoring the firm’s next generation of leaders. She dedicates hundreds of hours each year as a trusted and valued resource for associates, and she is actively involved with the onboarding and training processes for incoming attorneys. Over the past decade, Clarisse has played an instrumental role in the significant growth of the Orange County office and the ongoing professional development of the team. Her keen eye for talent, constant pulse on the legal industry, and commitment to upholding the firm’s values and vision have helped bring in countless top-notch attorneys to Jackson Lewis. Clarisse leads the hiring and retention efforts for the firm’s Orange County and Silicon Valley offices, and many of her initiatives and sourcing strategies serve as a blueprint for recruitment across all of the firm’s California offices.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Clarisse worked at a national law firm where she defended insurance companies in complex coverage disputes and bad-faith litigation.  She also spent years litigating as a plaintiff’s attorney, representing individual and corporate clients in a variety of civil matters, including labor and employment. With her dual perspective on civil litigation and trials, Clarisse offers valuable insight into the many challenges that come with navigating employment lawsuits in California.

Honors and Recognitions

  • Legal 500 USA, "Recommended Attorney" (2023)

Credentials

Education
Whittier Law School
J.D.

Dean's Merit Scholarship

University of California, Los Angeles
B.A.

Dean's Honors List, Provost's Honors List of Scholars

Admitted to Practice
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
California - C.D. Cal.
California
Languages
Filipino/Tagalog

Whittier Law School
J.D.

Dean's Merit Scholarship

University of California, Los Angeles
B.A.

Dean's Honors List, Provost's Honors List of Scholars

9th Circuit Court of Appeals
California - C.D. Cal.
California

Filipino/Tagalog