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IAN PANCER | Managing Partner
IAN PANCER | Managing Partner
For twenty years, Mr. Pancer has focused on high-stakes personal injury and employment litigation, representing individuals harmed by serious negligence and employer misconduct. He is known for disciplined, aggressive advocacy against insurance companies and large corporate defendants.
Mr. Pancer has litigated complex matters in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and writ practice. His experience includes successfully taking on multibillion-dollar and Fortune 500 companies in nationally significant matters, including the Hewlett-Packard pretexting case, federal seizures involving payment processors for online gaming, and the San Diego pension litigation.
In employment cases, Mr. Pancer enforces California’s strict wage-and-hour and worker protection laws, including requirements related to overtime, meal and rest breaks, expense reimbursement, and accurate wage statements. In personal injury matters, he represents clients injured in serious vehicle collisions, falls, and other high-impact accidents.
Recognition & Leadership
Recognition & Leadership
Former Board Member, SDCDBA (2015–2017)
Super Lawyers Rising Star (awarded to fewer than 2.5% of attorneys)
Approved Continuing Legal Education lecturer for the California State Bar
Guest Lecturer, Thomas Jefferson School of Law – Institute for Solo Practitioners
Lead Counsel–rated attorney
Selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
AVVO Rating: 10.0
“10 Best” Attorney, American Institute of Legal Counsel
Education & Admissions
Education & Admissions
University of California, Santa Barbara — Regents Scholar
University of San Diego School of Law — Juris Doctor
Admitted to all California state courts
Admitted to the United States District Court, Southern District of California
JOE VIRGILIO | Partner
JOE VIRGILIO | Partner
Joe Virgilio is a San Diego native and attorney practicing employment law and personal injury litigation. He began his legal career in 2017 as a law clerk at a personal injury firm, working on hundreds of cases before graduating from law school in 2020. He remained with the firm through 2024, serving as both a law clerk and attorney and ultimately leading its nationwide employment law practice group.
In 2026, Mr. Virgilio became a partner at Pancer Law Corporation, where he oversees the day-to-day management of personal injury matters and single-plaintiff employment cases. He also litigates class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, regularly appearing in the San Diego Superior Court and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. He is an active member of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.
Before entering the legal profession, Mr. Virgilio owned and operated a local record store, building strong community ties and developing a deep appreciation for small businesses and the people behind them. Today, he brings that same practical, people-focused approach to his practice, advocating for clients with dedication and clear, straightforward guidance.
Born and raised in San Diego, Mr. Virgilio remains closely connected to the community he serves. Outside the office, he enjoys music and cheering on the San Diego Padres
Recognition & Leadership
Recognition & Leadership
Intellectual Property Fellow - Full Academic Merit Scholarship
5th in class - Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Senior editor, Law Review
CLIMB Member (Crawford Legal Institute & Mentorship Bond Program
Spearheaded Law Firm Practice Group
Education & Admissions
Education & Admissions
University of California, San Diego - Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson School of Law - Juris Doctor
Admitted to all California state courts
Admitted to the United States District Court, Southern District of California
JANINE MENHENNET | Of Counsel
JANINE MENHENNET | Of Counsel
Janine Menhennet is among the top plaintiffs’ employment lawyers in San Diego, California. Ms. Menhennet specializes in complex wage-and-hour litigation and has extensive experience advocating for employees’ rights, which are often overlooked in favor of an employer’s bottom line. Her work includes representing employees who were not paid California minimum wage, prevailing wages, overtime, vacation pay, proper regular rates of pay, mileage or business expense reimbursement, bonuses or commissions, and/or who were denied legally required meal and rest breaks.
Ms. Menhennet has a lengthy career litigating in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. She is experienced in managing all phases of litigation, from inception through class certification, summary judgment and summary adjudication motions, and trial. She has also prepared and argued appellate briefs in state and federal courts addressing complex wage-and-hour issues under California law.
Notably, Ms. Menhennet was a Jeopardy! champion in 1997.
Recognition & Leadership
Recognition & Leadership
Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Journal, editor.
Commencement speaker UC Berkeley
Editor, California Legal Studies Journal
Contributor, California Legal Studies Journal
Jeopardy Champion 1997
Education & Admissions
Education & Admissions
Loyola Law School - Juris Doctor
University of California, Berkeley - Psychology
Admitted to all California state courts
Admitted to the United States District Court, Southern District of California
GLAENE ZARATE | Paralegal
GLAENE ZARATE | Paralegal
Glaene Zarate is a paralegal at Pancer Law Corporation, where she manages case administration and maintains consistent communication with clients. A San Diego native, Ms. Zarate earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Prior to beginning her legal career, Ms. Zarate worked in retail following her college graduation, where she developed strong communication and client service skills that she brings to her work each day. In her free time, she enjoys rewatching her favorite shows—believing there is always something new to appreciate with each viewing—and spending time at the beach to relax and recharge.
CASSANDRA PANCER | Strategic Operations
CASSANDRA PANCER | Strategic Operations
Cassandra Pancer leads strategic operations at Pancer Law Corporation, overseeing internal systems to ensure the firm operates with precision, clarity, and purpose. Working closely with firm leadership, she aligns operational strategy with the firm’s brand, client experience, and long-term objectives.
Mrs. Pancer holds a bachelor’s degree in Computing and Art, as well as a master’s degree in Biology—an interdisciplinary background that informs her analytical rigor, systems thinking, and design sensibility.
In addition to operational planning and process optimization, Mrs. Pancer directs the firm’s design initiatives, ensuring a cohesive visual identity and clear, disciplined messaging across all platforms. She translates the firm’s values and strategic priorities into systems, materials, and experiences that support high-stakes litigation and client trust.
With a focus on structure, scalability, and execution, Mrs. Pancer manages workflows, cross-functional initiatives, and firm-wide projects that allow attorneys to concentrate on advocacy while maintaining Pancer Law Corporation's exacting standards. She brings a rigorous, solutions-oriented approach that blends strategic thinking with practical execution.
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