Firm Overview
Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP: Protecting Rights. Holding Wrongdoers Accountable.
For more than 40 years, Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP (WBS&J) has championed employees’ rights and advocated for survivors of sexual harassment, childhood sexual abuse, and therapist abuse. The firm focuses on employment law, workplace discrimination, therapist abuse, and sexual misconduct cases, with a longstanding commitment to holding employers and powerful institutions accountable.
With seven offices throughout California, WBS&J represents clients statewide and has secured more than $300 million in verdicts and settlements. Its attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined experience to complex, often deeply personal cases involving workplace misconduct, clergy abuse, therapist abuse, and sexual abuse by teachers, as well as negligent hiring and supervision by school districts.
The firm is known for taking on challenging cases against well-resourced defendants and providing clients with dedicated, thoughtful representation. WBS&J also accepts cases on referral from other attorneys.
A Pioneering Legacy in Sexual Misconduct Cases
Founding Partner and Trial Lawyer Emeritus John D. Winer helped pioneer the litigation of sexual harassment and abuse cases decades before the #MeToo movement brought widespread attention to these issues. Beginning in the 1980s, he challenged prevailing attitudes about sexual misconduct and fought to ensure that juries understood the profound psychological harm these experiences can cause.
Winer authored Proving Mental and Emotional Injuries, a leading legal resource on demonstrating emotional distress damages. His work reflects a central principle of the firm’s approach: understanding each client’s experience and the lasting effects of abuse is essential to effectively advocating for justice.
As Winer explained, “I felt I could really help people effectuate change in the world and make the workplace safer.”
Leadership and Advocacy
Erika J. Scott, Owner and Managing Partner, continues the firm’s commitment to advocating for survivors and employees whose rights have been violated. Her practice focuses on childhood sexual abuse, therapist abuse, and workplace harassment and discrimination. She represents more than 300 clients in childhood sexual abuse cases against powerful institutions like the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America, and is dedicated to holding them accountable.
Across its practice, WBS&J prioritizes understanding each client’s experience, the impact of the harm suffered, and the outcomes that matter most to them. The firm combines experienced litigation with a commitment to helping clients move forward with dignity and a stronger sense of agency.
Firm Recognition
Leading legal organizations and publications have recognized WBS&J, including California Super Lawyers, Consumer Attorneys of California, and San Francisco Magazine’s Top Attorneys in Northern California. John D. Winer has also received the AV Preeminent® peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Explore the firm’s Honors & Awards page for additional recognition and achievements.
Connect With an Attorney
Workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, childhood sexual abuse, and therapist abuse cases may be subject to strict legal deadlines. If you believe your rights have been violated, contact WBS&J to discuss your situation.
Call (866) 506-3145 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.
