Burke Williams & Sorensen LLP - Oakland, CA
Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP is a preeminent California full-service law firm with nearly a century of legal distinction, providing formidable representation in labor and employment litigation, municipal governance, public entity defense, and commercial real estate across California.
Nearly a Century of Distinguished Legal Advocacy in Oakland
Public agencies, corporations, and private commercial enterprises face an intricate and continually evolving regulatory framework in California. When workplace disputes arise, commercial contracts are breached, or municipal governance challenges require immediate intervention, finding an attorney with proven trial skills and extensive institutional knowledge is vital. Founded in 1927, Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP has served as a cornerstone of California legal practice for nearly a century. Located on Harrison Street overlooking Lake Merritt in Oakland, the firm combines the personalized attention of a regional office with the formidable firepower of more than one hundred seventy attorneys statewide. If your organization requires aggressive representation in complex litigation or you need an attorney urgently to navigate an administrative hearing or labor controversy, the firm provides authoritative guidance.
Comprehensive Labor, Employment and Business Law Solutions
The firm delivers comprehensive advisory, transactional, and trial representation across key legal areas impacting California employers, institutions, and property owners:
- Employment and labor lawyers: Defending public and private employers in complex labor negotiations, collective bargaining, unfair labor practice claims, and administrative hearings before state and federal agencies.
- Workplace discrimination lawyers: Formidable defense against claims of discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs under California and federal civil rights laws.
- Harassment lawyers: Conducting thorough independent workplace investigations and aggressively defending management and public entities against sexual and racial harassment lawsuits.
- Wrongful termination lawyers: Tenacious defense against retaliatory discharge claims, whistleblower actions, and alleged violations of public policy or employment agreements.
- Wage and hour lawyers: Defending businesses and public employers against complex wage disputes, overtime controversies, meal and rest break claims, and class-action litigation.
- Commercial real estate lawyers: Guiding clients through major commercial real estate acquisitions, development agreements, land use and zoning entitlements, and eminent domain proceedings.
- Business litigation lawyers: Resolving high-stakes corporate disputes, breach of fiduciary duty actions, partnership conflicts, and commercial contract litigation.
- Contract lawyers: Structuring, drafting, and enforcing complex public agency contracts, commercial leases, vendor agreements, and procurement pacts.
- Business and real estate lawyers: Providing multidisciplinary counsel for corporate transactions, public-private partnerships, and regulatory environmental compliance.
Recognized Courtroom Excellence and Industry Rankings
Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP has earned national Tier 1 rankings from Best Law Firms and recognition across numerous practice areas by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. Representing dozens of California cities, school districts, transit authorities, and major private enterprises, the firm's attorneys serve as city attorneys, general counsel, and special litigation counsel. Their comprehensive approach combines thorough investigative preparation with courtroom toughness, ensuring clients achieve optimal legal and economic outcomes.
Strategic Counsel and Dependable Institutional Partnership
Modern legal challenges demand innovative problem solvers rather than mere compliance monitors. When you hire an employment lawyer or commercial litigator from Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP, you collaborate with seasoned legal strategists focused on cost-effective, durable resolutions. The firm offers flexible retainer agreements, corporate wire payments, and transparent billing practices. Contact the Oakland office today to schedule a consultation regarding your organization's legal and regulatory needs.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in the beautiful Lakeside neighborhood of Downtown Oakland, just blocks away from Lake Merritt.
Building Location
This is a 27-story Class A high-rise building known as Lake Merritt Plaza, easily recognized by its curvilinear design and pink granite facade on Harrison St. It is situated near landmarks like U.S. Bank and Western Alliance Bank.
Parking Details
On-site parking is available at the Lake Merritt Plaza Garage directly at the property. Additional parking can be found nearby at the multi-storey Kaiser Center Parking Garage and the 1800 Harrison Garage.
Public Transit
Served by Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Route 33 (Piedmont); nearest stop is at Harrison Street & 21st Street.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the main entrance of Lake Merritt Plaza into the granite lobby. Take one of the high-speed passenger elevators up to the 16th floor to access Suite 1650.