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California workers frequently face workplace issues such as wrongful termination, wage disputes, discrimination, and inappropriate managerial conduct. When your workplace rights are violated, you need a California employment law lawyer knowledgeable about the state’s employment laws.
Our award-winning legal team has aggressively defended countless clients, successfully obtaining millions in verdicts and settlements on their behalf, and we are prepared to advocate for you.
Contact Attorney Jeff today and schedule a free consultation to discover how we can strengthen your claim.
Table of Contents
Employment Law Cases We Handle
How Do I Know if I Have an Employment Law Case?
How Long Do I Have to File an Employment Claim?
The Benefits of Hiring a California Employment Law Lawyer
The Legal Process of Filing an Employment Law Claim
Our Employment Law Firm’s Practice Areas
As a results-driven employment law firm serving clients throughout Northern and Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and the Inland Empire, our labor law attorneys specialize in the following employee rights cases.
Wage and Hour Violations
A 2024 study of nearly 1,000 hourly service workers by Harvard and UC San Francisco found that 41% reported experiencing at least one serious labor law violation, such as unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, or sub-minimum wage pay. Los Angeles workers alone lose an estimated $1.6 billion to $2.5 billion in wages annually.
Despite strong California labor laws, claims take significantly longer to resolve, highlighting the need for experienced legal representation. Common wage and hour violations our labor lawyers handle include:
- Failure to pay minimum wage
- Failure to provide accurate wage statements
- Improper tip pooling or deductions
- Independent contractor misclassification
- Missed, short, or interrupted meal and rest breaks
- Off-the-clock work requirements
- Unpaid or improperly calculated overtime pay
If any of these situations apply to your employment issue, our labor law attorneys can review your pay records, identify violations, and pursue the unpaid wages you’re owed, along with other applicable penalties and damages.
Wrongful Termination
California is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally end an employment relationship at any time. However, there are exceptions. A wrongful termination may have occurred if an employee is fired because of:
- Race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation
- Retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Retaliation for participating in union activity
- Retaliation for reporting illegal activity or unsafe working conditions
- Retaliation for requesting medical leave under CFRA or FMLA
- Violation of an express or implied employment contract
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, it’s important to act quickly. Our California employment lawyers know how to gather the evidence needed, including email records, patterns of performance reviews, the timing of adverse actions, and witness testimony, to build a compelling wrongful termination case.
Workplace and Disability Discrimination
California law prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on protected characteristics. Our employment law attorneys handle discrimination cases involving:
- Race, color, or national origin
- Sex and gender identity
- Age discrimination
- Disability (physical or mental)
- Religion
- Pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
- Sexual orientation
- Marital or domestic partner status
- Military or veteran status
If you were passed over for a promotion, given an unfair performance review, or fired because of who you are rather than how you performed, you may have a valid case. Our California labor lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your situation and advise you on the best path forward.
Sexual Harassment and Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, is prohibited under both California and federal law. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) applies harassment protections even to employers with just one employee, making it one of the broadest anti-harassment frameworks in the nation.
Sexual harassment can be exhibited in two forms:
- Quid pro quo harassment: When a supervisor conditions employment benefits on the acceptance of unwanted sexual conduct
- Hostile work environment: When unwelcomed or severe conduct creates a hostile work environment that is intimidating, offensive, or abusive
Harassment can come from a supervisor, a coworker, or even a client or customer. Employers have a legal duty to prevent and correct harassing behavior. When they fail, they can be held liable. Our employment law firm will aggressively represent you and hold bad actors accountable.
Retaliation
One of the most important employee rights under California law is the right to speak up without fear of consequences. Protected rights under California law include:
- Complaining about unpaid wages or labor law violations
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Participating in a workplace investigation
- Reporting discrimination or harassment internally or to a government agency
- Requesting a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious practice
- Taking protected family or medical leave
Retaliation can entail demotion, pay cuts, schedule changes, reassignment, or termination. California law provides resolutions, such as reinstatement, back pay, and damages for emotional distress. If a problem is reported (e.g., wage theft, discrimination, harassment, or a safety violation) and an employer retaliates, it’s important to consult with a labor law attorney as soon as possible.
Class Action and Employment Litigation
When an employer’s unlawful treatment affects multiple employees, a class action lawsuit may be filed. Our employment litigation team has extensive experience handling complex, multi-plaintiff cases where other employees have been denied:
- Minimum wage
- Overtime pay
- Meal and rest breaks
Class actions help individual workers pursue justice collectively when pursuing a claim alone is impractical. If you suspect your employment issue is part of a broader pattern affecting coworkers, contact us to discuss whether a class action suit is appropriate for your circumstances.
Signs You May Need a California Employment Attorney
Many employees aren’t sure when to consult with labor law attorneys. Here are common examples of when it’s time to seek legal guidance:
- You were wrongfully terminated and suspect your employer had an unlawful motive
- Your paycheck doesn’t reflect all the hours you worked or the overtime pay you’re owed
- A manager or coworker is making your workplace a hostile work environment
- You reported a problem at work, and your situation got worse
- You were denied a promotion shortly after filing a complaint
- Your employer failed to provide the required meal or rest breaks
- You are being pressured to sign a severance agreement without legal advice
Current and former employees who are unsure whether they have a valid case and want honest answers should contact our employment law attorneys. California has strict deadlines for filing employment claims; acting early protects your rights. No upfront costs to you or your family. We strive to recover fair and equitable compensation for our clients.
Get Your Free Case Consultation
Important Filing Deadlines
Missing a deadline can permanently bar employees from pursuing an employment law case, regardless of how strong their claim may be. Key deadlines include:
- Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claims under FEHA: Within three years of the discriminatory act, file with the Civil Rights Department
- Retaliation complaints with the Labor Commissioner: Generally, within one year of the adverse action
- Wage and hour violations with the Labor Commissioner: Within three years for most violations
- Wrongful termination lawsuits: Typically, one to three years, depending on the legal theory
Because many employment cases involve overlapping deadlines under state and federal law, it’s essential to speak with an employment attorney early to preserve all potential claims.
Defending Employees’ Rights Across California
Whether your case involves disability discrimination, age discrimination, class action suits, or other circumstances, our employment lawyers can help. For clients’ convenience, we have law offices throughout Northern California and Southern California.
Orange County Employment Lawyers
We have offices in Orange County, including Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, and surrounding cities. Our Orange County employment lawyers understand the region’s industries and employers and are ready to fight for employees who have been wronged.
Los Angeles Employment Attorneys
Our Los Angeles employment attorneys handle everything from entertainment industry disputes to healthcare and retail wage theft cases across the greater LA area.
The Inland Empire Employment Lawyers
Workers in Riverside, San Bernardino, and surrounding communities have access to the same aggressive employment litigation services for which our law firm is known.
Why Wronged Employees Choose Attorney Jeff
Over a Decade of Combined Experience
Our California employment law attorneys have spent over a decade representing employees in some of the most complex employment cases in the state. We know what it takes to go up against well-resourced employers and come out on top.
Recovered Millions for Our Clients
We have recovered millions of dollars in unpaid wages, damages, and settlements for workers throughout California. With a winning success rate, our track record speaks for itself.
Recognized Excellence
Our law firm has an A+ Rating from the BBB, and Jeff Fayngor, Esq., has been recognized as one of USA Today’s Top 15 Attorneys disrupting the legal industry. Additionally, he holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb Top Personal Injury Attorney.
Aggressive Legal Representation Backed by Results
From the moment our firm is hired, we take a proactive approach in representing clients’ employment law interests. We actively advocate for their best interests in negotiations, at hearings, and are prepared to litigate in the courtroom if necessary.
Contingency Fee Billing Structure
Our attorneys handle employment cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney fees unless we win their case. This means there is no financial risk to pursuing justice.
The Legal Process and What to Expect from Our California Employment Lawyers
We understand that the legal process can feel overwhelming. Here’s how a typical employment law case works:
- Initial Free Consultation: We provide a thorough, honest assessment of your situation to determine the viability of your case.
- In-Depth Case Review: We meticulously examine all relevant documentation, including your employment contract, performance evaluations, pay stubs, and any pertinent communications.
- Claim Submission: We strategically file your claim with the appropriate body, including the California Civil Rights Department, the Labor Commissioner’s Office, or directly in civil court.
- Discovery and Case Building: We gather all necessary evidence, conduct depositions, and aggressively build the strongest possible legal argument on your behalf.
- Resolution – Negotiation or Trial: While most employment disputes are resolved through settlement, we are fully prepared to proceed to trial if your employer refuses to offer the fair resolution you deserve.
California’s Employment Landscape: Why It Matters
With over 18 million workers, California has the nation’s largest workforce. The state’s Civil Rights Department is also the largest, tasked with protecting employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
However, enforcement resources are severely limited. As of the end of the 2023 fiscal year, a state audit revealed a backlog of nearly 47,000 wage claims at the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
Due to enforcement gaps, workers often wait years for justice through government channels. However, a private California employment law lawyer can immediately begin building a strong case and pursuing the justice you deserve.
Want to Maximize Your Claim? Jeff’s Got You.
Whether you’ve experienced wage violations, sexual harassment, age discrimination, disability discrimination, wrongful termination, or any other form of unlawful treatment in the workplace,.
Contact Our Labor Law Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Our legal team at Attorney Jeff practices law because we believe everyone deserves fair treatment, and when an employer crosses the line, there needs to be consequences. If you believe your employee rights have been violated, contact us for a free and confidential consultation.
During this case evaluation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the details of your case with one of our lawyers, who can assess the merits of your claim and outline your legal options.
Other Cases Our Law Firm Handles
At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, we specialize in handling the following personal injury practice areas:
- California Bicycle Accidents
- California Car Accidents
- California Construction Accidents
- California Dog Bites Cases
- California Elder Abuse Cases
- California Motorcycle Accidents
- California Pedestrian Accidents
- California Slip and Fall Accidents
- California Truck Accidents
- California Uber and Lyft Accidents
- California Workers’ Compensation Claims
- California Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Our Other Locations in Southern California
We understand the importance of accessibility, so we have conveniently located law offices throughout Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and more.