Los Angeles Employment Attorney

Being an employee in California comes with certain rights and privileges. Several important laws protect you from issues such as wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and unpaid wages. At Mathew & George, our Los Angeles employment lawyers have dedicated their careers to representing employees in various employment law cases. We have a proven track record of success, with millions of dollars won on behalf of wronged employees.

Our Los Angeles employment attorneys know how to navigate the laws related to harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, class actions, and more. We can protect our clients’ employee rights, provide aggressive legal advocacy on your behalf, and help you hold an employer accountable in Southern California. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you believe you have a case. Initial consultations are free and confidential. We may be able to provide the legal representation you need to achieve justice for an employer’s wrongdoing.

los angeles employment lawyer

Employment Law Resources and FAQs

What Is Employment Law?

Employment law covers a range of legal issues and grievances against employers. It is the area of law focused on the employer-employee relationship and its accompanying rights and responsibilities. Employment law deals with everything the employer-employee relationship involves, from civil rights to workplace safety. Any injuries, illnesses, issues or infringements of employee rights can fall under the umbrella of employment law.

Employment law covers every aspect of the workplace: hiring, training, retention, discrimination, harassment, civil rights, workplace safety, the work environment, firing, business contracts, employment agreements, medical leave, defamation, wages, overtime, whistleblowing and retaliation. It can cover cases related to a hostile work environment, California’s at-will employment laws, or age discrimination.

Do I Need a Los Angeles Employment Attorney?

The first step in attempting to resolve your employment law issue is through an internal complaint. Go to your company’s human resources department and file an official complaint regarding the issue. The company should have systems in place for promptly responding to and remedying the problem. If your employer does not take the issue seriously or resolve it effectively, contact an attorney to discuss your options. A lawyer can help you with the next step: bringing your issue to the attention of the correct government entity.

Different organizations help employees sort through employment torts. These include the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. You will typically have to bring your case to the correct federal organization before taking it to court. Tight deadlines often apply to these claims, ranging from a few months to a year or longer after the last incident or infraction at your workplace. A lawyer can help you fill out the paperwork and file with the correct entity by the deadline.

If mediation between your employer and the government agency does not resolve your issue, your employment law attorney can represent you during a civil claim in Los Angeles. Your lawyer can help you negotiate for fair compensation for your back pay, lost wages, wrongful termination, emotional distress, and other damages for an employer’s unlawful actions. Hiring an attorney gives you all the information and assistance you need.

Types of Employment Cases We Handle

The legal team at our law firm has spent years enhancing their skills in and out of the courtroom in Los Angeles County. They have helped hundreds of clients obtain compensation for the losses they suffered due to wrongful employers. Our firm has what it takes to assist employees with all types of employment law cases, regardless of the specifics. Find out if we are the right fit for your case during a free consultation. We take many different types of employment cases.

  • Sexual harassment: Any unwanted or non-consensual behaviors of a sexual nature in the workplace is sexual harassment. This can include invasions of personal space, sexual touching or assault, requests for sexual favors, discrimination based on sex, intimidation, and the creation of a hostile work environment.
  • Wage and hour violations: Many employers are guilty of violating federal and state wage and hour laws, which are statutes that set the rules for minimum wage, overtime payments, and related labor laws. This can lead to employees working for less money than they deserve.
  • Defamation: Defamation is a wrongdoing that can hurt an employee’s reputation. It is the crime of making up lies, falsehoods, or false statements about someone to hurt that person’s reputation. A defamation lawsuit finds the truth and fights for a fair resolution for the employee, potentially helping him or her maintain professional and personal relationships.
  • Discrimination: Discrimination is the unlawful treatment of an employee based on a protected class, such as ethnicity, color, race, religion, age, disability, sex, gender or sexual orientation. Workplace discrimination can lead to adverse employment decisions or wrongful termination.
  • Wrongful termination: If an employer fires an employee for an unlawful reason, it is wrongful termination. California is an at-will state, meaning an employer can fire a worker for no reason. An employer cannot, however, terminate employment for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation.

Our employment lawyers accept cases of many other types as well: whistleblower and retaliation, civil rights violations, business contracts, harassment, pregnancy discrimination, medical leave, back pay, fraud, severance pay and more.

California Employment Laws

California’s employment laws are some of the most progressive and employee-friendly of the country. Many employers knowingly take advantage of employees or do not fully understand the laws. This can lead to issues that interfere with your ability to work, unfairly reduce your pay, or result in life-changing infringements such as wrongful termination.

Understanding California’s employment laws can help you protect your rights, as well as know when you need to hire an employment attorney in Los Angeles.

  • Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The federal ADA protects individuals with disabilities, giving them equal rights and opportunities as other employees in the U.S. It protects against disability discrimination and harassment, as well as ensures reasonable accommodations. If you believe an employer did not hire you due to a disability, or wrongfully terminated or punished you due to your disability, an ADA attorney from Mathew & George can help you fight for justice.
  • Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). California’s Family and Medical Leave Act gives most employees as many as 12 weeks of leave per year (unpaid). The employee must have a covered reason to take the leave. All employers with 50 or more employees must participate. An employee can qualify for FMLA leave for having (or adopting) a child, receiving a serious medical diagnosis or taking care of a family member who has a major health problem. If your employer violated the FMLA, an LA Family Medical Leave attorney can represent you during a civil suit.
  • California Family Rights Act (CFRA). The California Family Rights Act gives certain employees as many as 12 weeks of leave – paid or unpaid based on the employer – with job protection per year. It is similar to the FMLA in that it covers employees with health conditions or with sick family members, as well as employees who have children. While using leave under the CFRA, the employee retains employer-paid health benefits.
  • Equal Pay Act. California’s Equal Pay Act makes it illegal for employers to pay employees less than federal and state laws require, based on sex. This law in California guarantees equal pay for men and women, with additions from the California Fair Pay Act. An Equal Pay Act lawyer can help you fight for fair wages if your employer is paying you less due to your sex, ethnicity, age, disability or another protected class.
  • Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act protects against harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Employers with at least five employees cannot lawfully discriminate or retaliate against applicants and workers based on a protected category. FEHA works alongside Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the federal level to protect workers.

Other state and federal employment laws that may protect you or affect your legal case include wage and hour laws, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, National Labor Relations Act, and laws under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Retaining an attorney from Mathew & George can give you a trained, experienced and licensed professional to walk you through all the laws and regulations your case might involve.

Our employment lawyers accept cases of many other types as well: whistleblower and retaliation, civil rights violations, business contracts, harassment, pregnancy discrimination, medical leave, back pay, fraud, severance pay and more.

How to Choose an Employment Attorney in Los Angeles

You do not have to go through your employment claim alone. Hiring an attorney can give you access to all the knowledge, resources, and assistance you need for a strong claim to damages against an employer. Choosing the correct employment law attorney can ensure your case has the best possible odds of succeeding. Look for certain elements to make a wise decision:

  • A focus on employment law. Your attorney and the law firm should focus specifically on employment law. Otherwise, the firm might not have the specialized knowledge or experience necessary to properly handle your case. Check for years of experience in your specific practice area.
  • Positive reviews, testimonials, and recognition. Look for signs that the attorney and law firm fulfill their promises to clients, in the form of positive testimonials and accolades in the industry. These can highlight the skill and past successes of an LA employment lawyer. A history of cases won can also be a positive sign.
  • Trial experience. The lawyer you retain should have the power and ability to take your employment law case to court in Los Angeles County, if necessary. While most cases settle without needing trials, the ability to go to trial can help you avoid having to hire a different attorney partway through your case.

You should also see if you feel a personal connection with the attorney. Schedule a consultation with the lawyer to discuss your case in more detail. He or she should dedicate personal time and attention to you and your case rather than handing it off to a less-experienced assistant or associate. The attorney you hire should make you feel good about your case, keeping you informed each step of the way. Mathew & George offers free, nonobligatory initial consultations so you can meet with our team at no risk.

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Contact a Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Today

Issues with your employment can cause substantial financial, emotional, and even physical strife for you and your family. Depending on the nature of your claim, you could be eligible for significant compensation for an employment law infraction or wrongdoing in Southern California. Learn more about your rights, your case, and your legal options during a complimentary case evaluation at Mathew & George. Our Los Angeles employment lawyers can provide legal advice and represent you in and out of the courtroom. We can help you fight for a fair outcome and justice from your employer. Request your complimentary initial consultation online today, or call us directly at (310) 478-4349.

“Abraham Mathew has been my business attorney for over 15 years and has handled dozens of cases on my behalf. He has always come through for me – whether taking a case all the way through trial or quietly settling a matter out of court. He thinks like a businessman – I like that.” -Ken S.

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