Amber Eck

Bio

Haeggquist & Eck partner and trial attorney Amber Eck is a tenacious advocate for employees, consumers and shareholders, and has been for the past 26 years. Amber has taken cases to trial in both state and federal court as lead trial attorney, and has recovered millions of dollars for her clients in settlements, including multiple six- and seven-figure settlements. Amber doesn’t shy away from high-profile defendants — a fact well-illustrated by her role as co-lead counsel in the well-publicized class action against President Donald Trump and Trump University, which settled for $25 million. For her work in the case, which spanned seven years, Amber and her partners took no fees. In 2016, the Trump University settlement was deemed one of California’s Top 50 Class Action Settlements.

Amber has represented plaintiffs in employment cases for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, unequal pay, and discrimination based on gender, race, religion, pregnancy, disability and age against such major corporations as Calpine, Trader Joe’s, LuLaRoe, Dollar Tree, Jollibee, Cheesecake Factory and Cemex.

Amber is dedicated to providing pro bono legal assistance to underserved populations. She is a current member of the Southern District of California’s Pro Bono Panel, and recently represented in indigent inmate in a jury trial in federal court for violation of his 8thAmendment rights. She is also a recognized by SuperLawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in San Diego and top 50 lawyers in San Diego. She and her firm have also been selected by U.S. News & World Reports as “Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firm” for 2022.

Amber frequently speaks on employment and other legal issues. She spoke to the Public Interest Advocacy Collaborative on “Using a Victim Advocate to Strengthen Your Civil Case,” and served as a discussion facilitator at the Lawyers Club Solutions Summit on the topic of Eliminating Sexual Harassment, Sexism & Bullying in the Workplace. Amber was also a panelist discussing “The Law as a Tool” at the International Agro-Ecological & Environmental Conference in San Francisco, and was a panelist at the California Women Lawyers Conference on “Transitions to Leadership.” Amber has been a featured guest on ESPN’s Real Talk Downtown and a guest speaker on the topic of small law firms and solo practitioners at the Lawyers Club of San Diego’s annual symposium. She is a Master in the Welsh Inn of Court, a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (“CELA”), Lawyers Club of San Diego, Federal Bar Association, and Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.

Outside the office, Amber enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, skiing, and scuba diving, exploring San Diego and spending time with her husband, Jeff, and teenage daughters, Jordyn and Kathryn.

Education

• J.D., Boston University School of Law
• Magna Cum Laude
• B.A. in Communications and Marketing, Pepperdine University
• Magna Cum Laude

Awards

• San Diego Super Lawyer (2017-2025);
• Super Lawyer Best 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego and Best 50 Lawyers in San Diego (2020-2025)
• U.S. News & World Reports, “Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firm” for 2025
• San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program Distinguished Service Award and Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Service Award
• Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal (2016-2022)
• Finalist, San Diego Magazine Woman Of The Year Award
• Nominee, National Association of Women Business Owners’ Woman Business Owner of the Year and Trailblazer Awards
• Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent rated
• Avvo Rating 10.0 Top Attorney

Notable Cases

• Confidential settlement, plus $1.2 million in attorney’s fees, in sexual harassment case against a national fast-food chain
• Confidential settlements in sexual harassment, unequal pay and gender discrimination cases against national energy company
• Confidential settlement in age & gender discrimination case against national grocery chain
• $25 million for class members in high-profile consumer fraud litigation against then-presidential contender Donald Trump and Trump University (one of California’s Top 50 Class Action Settlements in 2016)
• $84 million for class members in securities class action against Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.
• $20 million for class members in securities class action against El Pollo Loco

Community Involvement

• United States District Court for the Southern District of California’s Pro Bono Panel, served as pro bono trial counsel for indigent inmate in 2019
• SDVLP Distinguished Service Award for pro bono work in Sanchez v. County of San Diego (alleging searches of welfare applicants’ homes were unconstitutional)
• Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Service Award for Badua v. City of San Diego (alleging the City’s long-term disability policy unlawfully discriminated against employees with mental disabilities).
• Welsh Inn of Court, Master
• Girl Scouts of America, former Troop Leader for 7 years and Lifetime Member
• Volunteer, Genesis Diaz (Baja, Mexico)
• Deacon, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church
• Lawyers Club of San Diego Human Trafficking Collaborative California Employment Lawyers Assn. (“CELA”)
• Lawyers Club of San Diego
• Federal Bar Association
• Consumer Attorneys of San Diego