Employment Lawyer Los Angeles
California Law is designed to protect workers from unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace. Unfortunately, employees still face discrimination based on protected characteristics such as gender, age, race, physical disability, or marital status.
At Agemian Law Group, our Los Angeles employment lawyer provides a full range of legal services to help employees navigate the complexities of California employment law, from pre-litigation counseling to aggressive representation in court.
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California Employment Law: Your Safety Net
California employment law provides the framework for fair and lawful treatment in the workplace, outlining how employers must treat employees and protecting your rights on the job. And if your employer violated these rules, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is there to help, providing remedies like lost pay, damages for emotional distress and even penalties against the employer.
Your Rights as an Employee Under California Law
- You have the right to be free from discrimination at work because of your age, sex, disability, race, or any other protected characteristic
- You have the right to a workplace that's free from harassment, whether that's because of some awful quid pro quo situation, or because you're being subjected to a hostile work environment
- You have the right to not get unfairly fired when the reason for firing goes against public policy or what your employment contract says
- You have the right to get paid fairly including overtime pay, meal breaks, rest breaks and proper reimbursement for your expenses
- You have the right to be protected from retaliation when you report a violation, file a complaint or get involved in some sort of investigation
- You have the right to be given reasonable accommodations if you're disabled, or if you need some time off for a family emergency
- You have the right to take time off for maternity or paternity leave as provided by the California Family Medical Leave Act
The Employment Law Violations We Fight in Los Angeles
Our experienced Los Angeles employment attorneys can handle a wide range of workplace violations. No matter your industry, we’ll fight on your behalf to protect your rights and provide skilled representation. Our Los Angeles personal injury law firm fights for you.
Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Even though California is an at-will employment state, there are lots of exceptions that protect employees from being wrongfully terminated. Employers cannot legally fire someone due to discrimination, retaliation, unlawful activity, or in violation of an implied contract. Understanding these protections is essential to safeguarding your rights in the workplace.
- You can be fired because of your age if you're over 40
- Your employer can't fire you for complaining about something
- Whistleblowers have got special protection against being fired for doing their job
- If your job is so bad that you feel like you have no choice but to quit, you might have a case for constructive dismissal
Workplace Discrimination
Under California’s FEHA, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees or job applicants based on characteristics such as age, sex, race, or disability. These protections apply across all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, pay, and termination, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly at the workplace.
- Age is a protected characteristic under California law
- Your employer can't fire you or treat you badly because of your age
- Your employer can't fire you or treat you badly because of your racial background or your national origin
- Pregnancy is totally protected under California law
- Disability is of course protected as well under California law
Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is strictly prohibited under California law, whether it comes from a supervisor, colleague, or anyone else on the job. Everyone deserves a safe and respectful work environment, and the law is there to protect you from harassment of any kind.
- If your boss is trying to get you to sleep with them in order to get a promotion or keep your job, that's quid pro quo harassment
- If the workplace is just totally unpleasant and you can't take it, that's a hostile work environment
- If someone is bullying you, that's not acceptable either
- And of course, if your employer doesn't do anything about it, they're just making it worse
Hostile Work Environment
It refers to an abusive work environment that interferes with employees ability to work. The individuals involved in this offensive conduct mainly include supervisors, owners, co-workers, customers, or even independent contractors.
- If someone's being really mean to you all the time that's a hostile work environment
- If your workplace is just really uncomfortable because of some kind of awful thing that's going on, that's also a hostile work environment
- And if your employer doesn't do anything to put an end to it, they're just making things worse
Wage and Hour Violations
California wage and hour law says that employers must pay their workers fairly, give them overtime wages, let them take a break to eat their lunch and take some rest breaks. If an employer fails to meet these obligations, employees have the right to recover unpaid wages along with any applicable penalties.
- You should be paid overtime for working more than 8 hours a day
- You should get a meal break and some time to rest
- You should get paid minimum wage
- And if your employer is cheating you out of your wages just to save a few bucks, we're on it
Retaliation
Any conduct by an employer that discourages employees from reporting harassment may amount to retaliation. Its actually a separate legal violation, which means even if your harassment claim doesn't succeed, you can still win a retaliation claim if your employer punished you for speaking up.
- If your employer fires you because you reported some wrongdoing, that's retaliation
- If your employer punishes you because you complained about something, that's retaliation
- And if your employer just generally treats you badly because you're doing your job, that's also retaliation
- DFEH/EEOC complaint retaliation
Trust in Our LA Employment Attorneys to Fight for Your Rights
Employment law cases are complex and require a thorough understanding of California’s FEHA, federal regulations, administrative procedures, and courtroom practice. At our firm, our legal professionals are devoted to fight for your rights and pursue legal actions to win case at all costs.
Taking the Time to Understand Your Situation
During your free initial consultation, we listen to your story in a private, judgment-free setting. We carefully assess the legal strength of your case, explain your options in clear, straightforward terms, and answer any questions you have.
Securing Evidence & Building a Strong Case
If you decide to proceed, we immediately begin building the strongest possible case. We help you gather and organize documentation, identify witnesses, preserve digital evidence, and conduct our own investigation into the harassment. We also review your employer's policies and past handling of harassment complaints to identify patterns or failures.
Navigating the DFEH/EEOC Complaint Process
We develop a customized legal strategy based on your specific situation and goals. This may involve filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly DFEH) or the EEOC, negotiating directly with your employer, or proceeding straight to litigation if circumstances warrant aggressive action. We handle all aspects of the DFEH/EEOC process on your behalf, including drafting and filing the complaint, responding to the investigation, attending mediation, and obtaining your right-to-sue letter. Our experience with the Los Angeles DFEH office means we know how to navigate the bureaucratic process efficiently while protecting your interests.
Settlement Negotiation: Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Most harassment cases settle before trial, but settlement doesn't mean weakness. Armed with strong evidence and legal expertise, our legal team negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation. Our Los Angeles employment cases have resulted in six-figure settlements for clients who suffered severe harassment, retaliation, or wrongful termination. We don't accept lowball offers, and we never pressure you to settle for less than you deserve.
Taking it to Court: We're Not Afraid to Litigate
If settlement negotiations fail to produce fair compensation, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Throughout litigation, we handle all aspects of your case: filing the lawsuit, conducting discovery, deposing witnesses, filing motions, and presenting your case to a jury. You focus on healing and moving forward while we handle the legal battle.
Your Employer Broke the Law. We're Here to Hold Them Accountable
Free, confidential case evaluation. No fees unless we win your employment case.
Why Choose Agemian Law Group for Your Uber Accident Case?
For over 10+ years, Agemian Law Group has earned a stellar reputation in providing legal representation and client-focused services to victims facing workplace discrimination in Los Angeles.
10+ Years Focused on Employment Law
Our attorneys have been dedicated to employment law for over a decade, dealing with hundreds of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage cases.
$50M+ in Recoveries for Our Clients
We've secured over $50 million in compensation for clients in all of our practice areas, including some huge employment law settlements and verdicts. Our results show our ability to get top dollar for our clients and make sure employers are held accountable for their actions.
Local Court Experience that Matters
We only practice in Los Angeles, giving us a deep understanding of LA County Superior Court judges, procedures, and local employment case trends. Our relationships and local knowledge give us an edge in your case.
Expertise in DFEH and EEOC Cases
We've handled lots of DFEH and EEOC cases, so we know exactly how to navigate the investigation process, respond to employer defenses, and build administrative records that support your lawsuit.
Trial-Ready Lawyers who Deliver
Unlike some firms that try to avoid going to trial, our employment lawyers prepare every case for the courtroom. This means we can pressure employers to make a fair settlement offer and make sure we're ready if trial becomes necessary.
No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
Our employment law cases are handled on a contingency basis which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free and confidential.
Our Employment Law Success Stories
While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our track record shows what we’re capable of:
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Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Employment Law
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer in Los Angeles?
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer in Los Angeles?
Most Los Angeles employment lawyers, including us, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. All case expenses (court fees, deposition costs, expert fees) are advanced by our law firm. Your initial consultation is free and confidential. We want you to be able to get the help you need without worrying about the cost.
How long do I have to file an employment law claim in California?
How long do I have to file an employment law claim in California?
For most employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under California law, you have 3 years from the last discriminatory act to file a DFEH administrative complaint. However, don’t wait until the deadline approaches. After you get your right to sue notice from DFEH, you have 1 year to file a lawsuit. Wage and hour disputes have a 3-year statute of limitations for most violations. Contact our employment lawyers right away to make sure your rights are protected and all critical deadlines are met.
Can I sue my employer for wrongful termination in California?
Can I sue my employer for wrongful termination in California?
Yes, if your employer terminated you unlawfully, you have the right to file a wrongful termination claim. Even though California is an at-will employment state, there are plenty of exceptions that stop the boss from firing you for things like discrimination based on protected characteristics, retaliation for reporting problems, whistleblowing, or just plain refusing to do something you shouldn’t do. If your termination broke one of these rules, you have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.
What kind of damages can I recover in an employment law case?
What kind of damages can I recover in an employment law case?
California law allows you to recover economic damages (lost wages, benefits, medical expenses), non-economic damages (emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment), and potentially punitive damages if employer conduct was egregious. You can also recover attorney fees and costs if you win. During your free consultation, we’ll provide a realistic assessment of what your specific case may be worth based on the details of your situation.
Do I have to file a DFEH complaint before I can sue my employer?
Do I have to file a DFEH complaint before I can sue my employer?
Yes, when faced with claims under California FEHA (discrimination, harassment, retaliation), you’ll need to file a formal administrative complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) before you can even consider filing a lawsuit.
Can my employer really retaliate against me for filing a complaint?
Can my employer really retaliate against me for filing a complaint?
Absolutely not. California law is very specific on this one. It’s strictly against the law for an employer to go after someone who’s filed a complaint about discrimination or harassment, who gets involved in an investigation, who reports some dodgy activity, or who even just tries to assert their rights. And if that does happen, it’s actually a whole new legal violation, with its own damages.
How long do employment law cases take in Los Angeles?
How long do employment law cases take in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, employment law cases usually take about 12-24 months from start to finish. Okay, so that’s the time it takes to get through the whole DFEH complaint process and reach a resolution in court.