WRONGFUL TERMINATION, Workplace Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
This firm regularly assists employees whose rights have been violated due to workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, disability and a host of other classifications protected by federal and state laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the central federal anti-discrimination law, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA") each bar many employers from discriminating against any individual on the basis of sex or gender. Generally then, no employer may decline or grant employment or make any other major decision in the employment relationship -- including training, advancement, pay level, benefits, discipline and termination -- because the subject employee is a woman or a man, or a member of a particular race or religion. Rather, companies should make such decisions on legitimate, business-oriented grounds, including but not limited to the employee skills and competence. If an employment decision was made on the basis of an employee’s sex, race, national origin, or disability, then there are remedies under the law for such unlawful decision-making by the employer.
Senior management must be aware of the myriad and regularly changing legal requirements on preventing and resolving discrimination complaints. Such knowledge enables the business to set policy and make employment status decisions with minimum risk of repercussions from any current or former employee. We can and do assist clients in this process daily.
Employment law for employeES AND Independent contractors
A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has estimated that some 20% -- one fifth – of the cases coming before him were employment law-related. This indicates that either far too many employers are unfamiliar or untrained in their legal obligations toward employees; a significant number of employees contend managers have trampled on their workplace rights; or both.
We have successfully represented employees and independent contractors in California labor law matters. Our employment litigation services include: (1) recovery of unpaid wages; (2) premiums for failure to provide uninterrupted meal and rest periods; (3) misclassification; and (4) compassionate representation of employees who suffered workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases.
We recognize that a strong, effective enterprise – whether commercial or non-profit, -- is comprised of effective, competent individuals bound by a common purpose. All aspects of our employment-related services are aimed at helping our employer clients promote, develop and achieve that ideal.
Minimum Wage, Overtime, Meal & Rest Breaks
Overall, most cases of wage and hour violations are limited to a single employee and may include one or more of the following:
Misclassification of employees as “exempt” in order for employers to avoid paying overtime pay
Failure to pay the state or federally mandated minimum hourly wage
Failure to provide the rest or meal breaks as mandated under California labor laws
Failure to follow California labor laws which mandate maximum work hours, vacation pay, enforcement procedures and requirements for record-keeping
Employment Litigation
This firm has been representing workers in the courts as well is at the Labor Commissioner’s office, and in arbitration proceedings. We have represented workers from various racial, religious, and socio economic backgrounds to ensure that each’s rights are respected in the workplace.
Individuals and organizations resort to the courts when they cannot effectively communicate with their adversaries. A civil lawsuit is basically an elaborate, expensive and enormously stressful substitute method of direct interchange between the adversaries.
Without question, our justice system is necessary to preserve the legitimate rights of persons and groups. However, the legal process is never an end in itself.
Thus, in our regular court representation of clients in commercial and business-related matters, our aim is to effectively reach a fair and just result as efficiently as possible. We are dedicated to vigorously representing clients similarly dedicated to that end. The litigation process is never easy but it is never workable without client commitment to such fairness and integrity.
FAMILY LAW
We will then evaluate your situation and advise you of all your options under the law. Our goal is to help make the decisions that protect your legal rights, and that are in the best interests of your family and your children. We know there is more going on in your life than just your divorce. Ending a marriage is never something we take lightly. We strive to get to know you as a person, as an individual, so we can custom tailor an experience you can look back on without regret. Change is inevitable, but the stress and anxiety you feel about those changes does not have to be. Our team works hard everyday to help people going through divorce cope with stress, uncertainty, fear, and the financial issues that come with the territory.
Divorce
Not only does our team facilitate the legal proceedings throughout a divorce, our inherent dedication to protecting a family's best interests extends to providing support for all of its members. We will happily provide support for families who are challenged with the following areas:
- Custody & Visitation,
- Child support,
- Spousal support,
- Property Division,
- Retirement Plans
