Jakob S. Weitz

Jakob Sergei Weitz is a trial attorney who represents businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters, construction litigation, contractor licensing issues, insurance disputes, real estate disputes, and other high-stakes civil actions. He represents clients through all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigation and discovery through trial, arbitration, mediation, appeal, and judgment enforcement.

Mr. Weitz has significant courtroom experience and has successfully argued dozens of contested motions in California state courts, including motions for summary judgment, motions for judgment on the pleadings, discovery motions, and contested applications seeking relief from default and default judgment. He has taken numerous depositions, participated in successful mediations, and served as both first and second chair trial counsel in complex civil matters. His experience spans a broad range of industries, including construction, insurance, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, and commercial business operations. He also helped secure a $3.5 million recovery on behalf of a bicycle parts manufacturer in a complex breach of contract dispute.

In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Weitz represents plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death actions. Previously, he led a specialized team handling claims arising from the Paradise Wildfires, helping maximize compensation for homeowners and property owners whose claims had been undervalued. He has also worked on a variety of personal injury matters, including motor vehicle collision and premises liability cases. This experience continues to inform his approach to representing individuals and families facing life-changing injuries and losses.

Mr. Weitz has developed particular expertise in California contractor licensing and construction-related disputes. He is a published author and speaker on contractor licensing and mechanic’s lien law and successfully prosecuted a writ of mandate against the California Contractors State License Board concerning the Board’s handling of contractor license suspension requirements. He is frequently consulted regarding contractor licensing issues, mechanic’s liens, judgment enforcement against contractors, and related regulatory matters.

Before joining Callahan & Blaine, Mr. Weitz practiced at the Law Offices of Kenneth J. Freed, where he represented businesses and individuals in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters involving construction, insurance, real estate, hospitality, and commercial disputes. He managed a substantial litigation caseload, argued numerous contested motions, and helped oversee litigation strategy and day-to-day operations for a team of attorneys and support staff. He has also worked extensively on appellate matters, contributing to successful appellate outcomes and drafting briefing in a matter for which review was granted by the California Supreme Court.

Mr. Weitz earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. During law school, he served as a certified law clerk with the Long Beach District Attorney’s Office, where he first-chaired fifteen successful preliminary hearings. He received his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Loyola Marymount University, where he was a Leadership Fellow, Hansard Fellow, and captain of the Division I men’s rugby team.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Weitz served as a Teach For America educator, teaching reading comprehension and journalism in an underserved community. The leadership, advocacy, and communication skills developed during that experience continue to influence his approach to client representation, trial advocacy, and problem-solving on behalf of his clients.