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Lisa Watanabe-Peagler

Partner
Lisa Watanabe-Peagler

Lisa M. Watanabe-Peagler is a Partner at Rise Law Firm. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler has devoted her practice exclusively to representing employees in employment law cases. She has successfully litigated state and federal cases on a wide variety of employment-related matters, including claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wage and hour violations on an individual and class action basis.​

As a Partner at the Firm, Ms. Watanabe-Peagler handles all aspects of case management from pre-litigation through resolution, including alternative dispute resolution, settlement and trial. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler has successfully prepared and argued several dispositive motions and has served as second chair in jury and bench trials. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler is committed to effectively and aggressively representing her clients while keeping them well-informed and supported throughout the legal process.

Prior to joining Rise Law Firm, Ms. Watanabe-Peagler was a Partner at Rushovich Mehtani LLP. She previously practiced at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. in its Labor and Employment and Litigation practices where she advised and represented employers in all forms of labor and employment disputes. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler was also an attorney at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP where she litigated various civil matters including business, personal injury, habitability and construction defect. As a former defense attorney at these nationwide firms, Ms. Watanabe-Peagler brings unique insight and across-the-aisle experience to her current practice.​

Outside of work, Ms. Watanabe-Peagler is involved in the legal community as a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association, the Women’s Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler also serves on the Board of Directors for the Harvard Club of Southern California, the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood and Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool.

Ms. Watanabe-Peagler enjoys spending her free time with her husband, son and daughter. Ms. Watanabe-Peagler is also an avid fitness enthusiast and fan of the local sports teams as a former collegiate athlete who worked in the professional baseball industry for a few years prior to law school.

Lisa Watanabe-Peagler

Education

  • Southwestern Law School, J.D., Law Review Member
  • Harvard University, B.A., Cum Laude Honors

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers® Super Lawyer, 2022-2024
  • Super Lawyers® Rising Star, Southern California, 2017-2020 (Featured in Los Angeles Magazine)
  • Super Lawyers® Up-and-Coming 50, Women Southern California Rising Stars, 2020 (Featured in Los Angeles Magazine)
  • Avvo Clients' Choice Award, 2017
  • 10 out of 10 rating on Avvo, deemed "Superb"

Boards & Committees

  • Executive Vice President, Harvard Club of Southern California, 2016-Present
  • Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood, 2019-Present

Legal Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member, California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)
  • Member, Women’s Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit