Quarles Appoints Joanne Buser Next San Diego Office Managing Partner
September 23, 2025 (San Diego) – Quarles & Brady LLP announced today that Joanne Buser has been named San Diego office managing partner, effective October 1. She succeeds Fred Plevin, who will continue with the firm as a Labor & Employment partner.
Buser joined Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton in 2014; the San Diego labor and employment boutique combined with Quarles in January 2023. Plevin served as managing partner of Paul Plevin from its founding in 1998 until 2020, and then as office managing partner beginning in 2023 to help ensure an effective transition.
“We are so grateful for the outstanding leadership Fred has provided over the years and excited about Joanne stepping up to succeed him,” said Mike Aldana, firm managing partner and chair of the executive committee. “Joanne is a highly respected employment law advisor and litigator who also has demonstrated a great commitment to supporting her colleagues across the firm and fostering the collegial, collaborative culture that is so important to us.”
Buser advises employers in a variety of industries, including higher education, on employment law and litigation, investigations of employee complaints, higher education litigation, and more. She was included among the San Diego Business Journal “Women of Influence in Law” in 2024, Southern California Super Lawyers from 2015 to 2017 and New York Metro Super Lawyers® "Rising Stars" in 2012 and 2013.
She earned both her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Michigan.
“Since moving to San Diego to join Paul Plevin, I have been lucky to learn from some of the best California employment lawyers, who are not only talented attorneys, but wonderful colleagues I also call friends,” said Buser. “I look forward to helping all of our San Diego colleagues progress in their own careers and continuing to provide a collaborative, unique environment to practice law, while continuing to service our incredible clients. We have an amazing team of attorneys and business professionals and have built strong relationships with our colleagues across the firm over the past two-plus years. With that foundation, we’re in a perfect position to help our clients, in California and around the country, achieve consistent growth.”