Haeggquist & Eck partner and trial attorney Amber Eck is a tenacious advocate for employees, consumers and shareholders, and has been for the past 31 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 Microsoft, Amazon, Becton Dickinson, Calpine, Jollibee, 24 Hour Fitness, Trader Joe’s and LuLaRoe.
Ms. Eck has been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in San Diego and top 50 lawyers in San Diego every year for the past six years, 2020-present. She and her firm have also been selected by U.S. News & World Reports as “Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firm” since 2022.
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 8th Amendment rights.
She is currently serving a three-year term as a Lawyer Representative for the U.S. District Court, Southern District, is a Master in the Welsh Inn of Court, and a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (“CELA”), Lawyers Club of San Diego, Federal Bar Association, and Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.
Ms. Eck is also the author of numerous articles and a frequent lecturer on employment law, class actions, and other legal issues. Outside the office, Amber enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, scuba diving, exploring San Diego and spending time with her husband and daughters.
Awards
• San Diego Super Lawyer (2017-present)
• Best Of The Bar, San Diego Business Journal (2016-present)
• 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).
• 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
Notable Cases
• Confidential settlement, plus $1.2 million in attorney’s fees, in sexual harassment case against a national fast-food chain
• Settlement of $250,000 in 2026 against the Bureau of Prisons for Sexual Harassment
• 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
Giving Back
• Master, Welsh Inn of Court (2009 - present)
• Lawyers Representative, U.S. District Court, Southern District (2024-2026)
• 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
• Girl Scout Leader for 7 years, and Lifetime Member, Girl Scouts of America
• Volunteer, Genesis Diaz (Baja, Mexico)
• Current Elder (2025-2027) and former Deacon (2002-2005), Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church
• Lawyers Club of San Diego
• Federal Bar Association
