Arcelia N. Magaña

Arcelia is a litigator and trial attorney specializing in labor and employment law. Focusing on creating stable and high-functioning work environments, she leverages her extensive experience to guide employers on best practices that help avoid the costly disruptions of litigation.

Over the past seven years, Arcelia has successfully defended over 20 wage and hour class and representative actions, including cases under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). This track record underscores her experience in complex legal disputes and her adept handling of high-stakes cases. She also skillfully manages responses to inquiries from the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), further showcasing her legal acumen.

Arcelia collaborates closely with clients to keep them informed of ongoing labor and employment policy developments and ensure compliance, helping them stay out of the courtroom. Her particular experience defending hotels and restaurants in employment cases allows her to align litigation strategies with the unique challenges and business objectives of hospitality employers. Starting her career on the plaintiffs' side gives her a well-rounded perspective, enriching her case strategies with valuable insights.

Arcelia is dedicated to advancing the academic and professional achievements of the Latino/a/x community. Fluent in Spanish, she actively contributes to various organizations in her free time, further demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact beyond her legal practice.

• Recipient of the National Latina Business Women Association-San Diego's Latina in Law Award (2024)
• Lawyers of Color, "Hot List" (2023)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® "Ones to Watch" for Labor and Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-present)
• San Diego Super Lawyers®, “Rising Stars” honoree (2020, 2022-present)
• San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association, "President’s Award" (2019)
• Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service (2015, 2016)
• Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc., "Outstanding Service Award" (2015)

• Hispanic National Bar Association, Member and Human Resources Committee Deputy Chair
• Latinas in the Law
• Lawyers Club of San Diego
• MANA de San Diego, General Counsel (Pro-Bono)
• San Diego County Bar Association, Member and Labor and Employment Law Section, Executive Committee (2019-2022)
• San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
  • President (2022-2023)
  • Endorsements Committee Vice-Chair
  • Scholarship Fund At-Large Director (2019-present)
  • Public Benefit Fund President (2024)
• San Diego Unity Bar, Endorsements Committee Co-Chair
• California Western Community Law Project, Volunteer Attorney
• Casa Cornelia, Volunteer Attorney
• San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, Volunteer Attorney
• Sweetwater Authority’s Citizen Advisory Committee, Chairwoman (2021-2022)
• UC Berkeley Chicanx/Latinx Alumni Association
  • Scholarship Chair (2016-2022)
  • Co-Chair of the San Diego Chapter
• City of Berkeley – Personnel Board, Former Board Member
• City of Escondido – Personnel Board of Review, Former Board Member

In her personal life, she enjoys salsa dancing, running, reading, and spending time with her husband and dogs Lula and Benito. Her lifelong goal is to see as many Wonders of the World as she can.

• “Opinion: There are not enough Latino lawyers or judges in San Diego. We created this program to change that,” co-author, San Diego Union Tribune, March 2024
• "Basics of Employee Onboarding,” presented to Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, September 2023
• “Community within Community: Advancements of the San Diego Latinx Community,” San Diego Lawyer, Nov./Dec. 2022
• “California Wage and Hour Update,” presented to Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) San Diego, Virtual, March 2022
• “Women of Color in Law,” panelist for IGNITE, Virtual, March 2022
• “Sharing Wisdom Across Generations (S.W.A.G.): Latinx y La Ley,” presented to U.C. Berkeley Chicanx/Latinx Alumni Association and Chicanx Latinx Student Development, Virtual, October 2021
• “Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” panelist for California Western School of Law, University of San Diego School of Law, and Thomas Jefferson School of Law Latinx Law Student Associations, October 2021
• “Unconscious Bias and Social Movements. How Do Employers Respond,” presented to the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) San Diego Chapter, Virtual, August 2021
• “Navigating a Safe Return to Work,” presented to San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA) Labor and Employment Section, Virtual, July 2021
• “Paving the Road Towards a More Just and Equitable Future: The Status of Women of Color Judges – Nationally, California-Wide, and Across San Diego County,” Lawyers Club of San Diego, February and March 2021
• "Introduction to Labor and Employment Law Field," panelist for Employment and Labor Law Society (ELLS) - California Western School of Law, October 2019
• “DOE-Re-Mi: DOE Amendment Basics,” Trial Bar News, January 2018
• “Narrowing the Legal Loophole: California Labor Code Section 925,” Trial Bar News, October 2017
• “Private Prisons,” Trial Bar News, May 2017