Lee Nolan Jacobs

I’m the founder of Jacobs & Associates, a law firm grounded in clarity, strategy, and compassion. For more than 15 years, I’ve helped businesses, executives, and employees navigate employment law with confidence — building compliant workplaces, resolving disputes, and standing up when something’s gone wrong.

But I didn’t always know I’d be a lawyer. I come from a family of teachers and restaurateurs — people who worked hard, gave generously, and didn’t always have the right legal guidance when it mattered most. After watching my own family’s business struggle to get help they could trust, I realized I could combine my passion for teaching with the power of the law.

That’s what this firm is built on: making complex legal issues understandable, and giving people the tools to survive and thrive.

My Path to Employment Law

The first decade of my legal career was spent deep in the trenches of white-collar criminal defense and complex litigation. I represented clients in high-stakes federal investigations and major corporate disputes — learning how to manage pressure, dissect facts, and think five steps ahead.

But during the pandemic, something changed.

As COVID tore through the economy, I began working almost exclusively with employers on wage and hour issues, leave laws, layoffs, and new emergency compliance mandates. I saw firsthand that employment law wasn’t just legal — it was human. And I saw that most workplace legal disasters weren’t about bad intentions — they were about bad preparation.

That’s when I knew: the only way to survive (let alone win) an employment dispute is to avoid it in the first place. That means education. That means compliance. And that’s the kind of law I decided to practice.

What I Do

I advise businesses on:

• Hiring, discipline, and termination policies

• Wage and hour compliance (minimum wage, tip credits, overtime)

• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation

• Government audits and internal investigations

• Litigation defense and strategic risk mitigation

I also represent employees and executives — selectively — when they’re navigating severance, unpaid wages, or unlawful treatment at work.

Hospitality Roots, Business-Wide Impact

My practice is deeply rooted in hospitality law — tip pools, SLA hearings, SAP/DAT appearances, spread of hours, uniform credits, and more. But what I’ve learned from the restaurant and hotel world applies across industries.

Whether you run a small business, a tech startup, a medical facility, or a professional services firm — if you employ people, I can help you stay protected, compliant, and in control.

Why I Also Represent Plaintiffs

For many years, I only represented businesses — helping employers navigate claims, complaints, and investigations from current or former employees. I defended companies in high-stakes disputes and saw up close how these issues play out behind closed doors.

But there were times when I met individuals — executives, managers, hourly workers — who clearly had valid claims. And due to the structure of Big Law, I couldn’t represent them. Even when I wanted to. Even when they deserved a real advocate.

Now that I’ve launched my own firm, I can finally say yes to the right cases.

I selectively represent:

• Executives negotiating compensation, severance, or exit agreements

• Employees with strong claims involving discrimination, retaliation, or unpaid wages

And here’s the truth: there’s no better person to advocate for you than the lawyer who used to sit on the other side of the table. Because I’ve advised businesses. I’ve trained HR. I know what moves they’ll make — and what pressure points matter. When I represent a plaintiff, it’s because the case is real, the law is on their side, and they deserve to be heard. And I bring the full weight of my experience to fight for them.