Derek Smith Law Group / Employment Law / Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Employment Lawyers Los Angeles
Employment Discrimination Lawyers Protecting Employees in the Workplace.
What Constitutes Employment Law in Los Angeles?
What Are Examples of Violations of Employment Laws in Los Angeles?
What Laws Protect Employees In Los Angeles?
What Remedies Are Available to Victims of Employment Law Violations in Los Angeles?
Our Qualified Employment Attorneys in Los Angeles are Ready for Your Call.

Employment Lawyers Los Angeles

Employment Discrimination Lawyers Protecting Employees in the Workplace.

Employee discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, employee contract issues, payroll issues, family and medical leave issues, and more, are matters of employment law.

When employees are mistreated at work due to any of these issues, they need to consult an employment law attorney immediately.

For over 25 years, the dedicated Los Angeles employment lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group in Los Angeles have worked with employees to achieve justice in employment law cases.

What Constitutes Employment Law in Los Angeles?

Employment law matters cover all areas of employment issues concerning hiring, firing, time off, salary, and treatment at work are some of the areas of employment law.

Below are the 8 practice areas included under the heading “employment law.”

1. Employment Discrimination. Employment discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated poorly because of specific reasons, known as protected classes. Protected classes in Los Angeles include the following:

Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex/Gender
Age
Disability
Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity/Representation
Genetic Information
Military Status
Veteran Status
Pregnancy
Citizenship Status
Familial Status

2. Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It occurs when an employee or job applicant experienced unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or contact in the workplace. Sexual harassment perpetrators include:

Employers
CEOs
Managers
Supervisors

Coworkers
Customers
Clients
Nonemployees

3. Retaliation. Retaliation is a violation of labor laws in Los Angeles. According to the law, an employer cannot treat an employee negatively for:

Refusing sexual advances
Refusing to participate in criminal activity
Agreeing to cooperate with authorities
Filing a complaint about violations of the law.

California is an at-will employment state. Therefore, an employer can fire you for almost any reason, or no reason at all. There are times termination is considered wrongful.
If you are fired due to your status in a protected class or as a form of retaliation, you may have a claim for wrongful termination.

5. Employee Contracts. Some employees have employment contracts. A contract outlines the terms of employment. Usually, the agreement includes salary, duties, and length of work. Contracts prohibit employers from terminating employment for any or no reason.
When your employer breaks the contract, you must contact a labor lawyer in Los Angeles.

6. Family and Medical Leave. California laws provide employees paid leave to care for a family member or personal injury or illness. An employer cannot refuse this leave to qualifying employees.

7. Whistleblower. California whistleblower laws protect any employee who reports illegal actions or unsafe working conditions to the proper authorities. Whistleblower laws protect you from retaliation, whether you report to local or federal government agencies or the appropriate employees.

Whistleblower lawyers also help you in the process of blowing the whistle on your employer. The process may include legal issues and compensation under the laws.

8. Wage and Hour. Wage and hour laws relate to your compensation and overtime pay. You have the right to be paid for hours worked. Your employer must classify you as hourly or salary, based on federal and local laws.

Finally, you have the right to earn at least minimum wage per California law. California law sets the minimum wage at $12 an hour for companies with 25 or fewer employees. The minimum wage is $13 per hour for companies with 26 or more employees.

Testimonials

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Discover how our expertise has helped clients overcome their legal challenges and achieve successful outcomes.

During the time that I really needed a good counselor and I was approaching different attorneys unfortunately before they heard the problem they were demanding a retainer fee. A friend of mine introduced me to the Derek Smith Law Group and I was very fortunate to be answered by Matt Finkleberg who was very polite and understanding and gave me a lot of confidence without asking for any fees in f... Read Full Testimonial

Sambiz Amini

Matt Finkleberg is by far the best attorney I’ve ever hired!

Tanya Scheer

Matt Finkelberg is an outstanding attorney. It was a pleasure to have him represent me for my employment case. He was very easy to talk to. He was very supportive and knowledgeable throughout the whole process. He explained the entire process to me and kept me informed every step of the way. Matt fought diligently throughout my case to make sure my case was represented best. I am very gratef... Read Full Testimonial

Phyllis Parker

Matt Finkelberg is a top notch lawyer. He is very easy to talk to and truly cared about me as his client. He definitely earned my trust and confidence in his capabilities to represent me in the most professional respects. I give Matt and his firm the Derek Smith Law Group my highest recommendation to anyone who is seeking legal help for employee/employer related matters.

Wally Peczon

Matt Finkelberg is a life saver. During this whole process not only did I have a great lawyer but I also made a great friend. Matt was very attentive to my case, and mental health. Matt helped me during probably the darkest time of my life and for that I am forever grateful to have came across the Derek Smith law group. As a past client, I 100% recommend Matt Finkleberg. Matt provides a safe sp... Read Full Testimonial

Tali Loya

It was a pleasure to have Casey represent and help me for my employment case. It was my first time needing an attorney, so I was a bit apprehensive at first – Casey took the time to answer all of my questions and fully explain everything to me, which really put me at ease. He was very attentive, supportive, and knowledgeable throughout the whole process – Casey would ask questions to ensure... Read Full Testimonial

Corey Kientz

matt is an excellent attorney. he handled my case with the utmost care and highly exceeded all expectations. i could not recommend derek smith and esp. matt finkelberg enough

Seedie Whiser

Corey Kientz

You will be in great hands at this firm! Alyssa the managing paralegal is an absolute professional who excels at what she does. You can tell she truly cares about providing the best service possible, and is passionate about helping her clients. With Alyssa at the helm, this firm is a top-notch choice for anyone seeking assistance. Highly recommend!

Marissa Shander

Matt Finkelberg is Amazing and Devotional! It was a pleasure to have Matt represent me for my employment case. He was very attentive, supportive, and knowledgable throughout the whole process. Whenever I reached out he responded promptly which I greatly appreciated. Matt fought diligently and hard throughout my case to make sure my case was represented best. Thank you again Matt for everything.... Read Full Testimonial

jessica gonzalez

Olivia is absolutely outstanding! She understands the emotional side of your case while being able to find the legal aspects of holding the employer accountable for breaking the law! Made a really terrible situation a little easier by explaining everything and helping me get everything in order and in the right hands. I would not use anyone else! Call them for any sexual harassment case... You ... Read Full Testimonialwon't be disappointed! 10/10

Rae Millstone

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What Are Examples of Violations of Employment Laws in Los Angeles?

Employment law breaches occur in numerous fashions throughout California and Los Angeles. Some examples of violations of employment laws include:

Your employer refuses to allow Muslim women to wear a burqa to work.
Your coworker makes sexist comments that pregnant women should not be allowed to work once they are mothers.
Your supervisor asks you on dates at least once a week, even though you refuse every time.
Your manager refuses to accommodate you for your disabilities by giving you a morning shift. You have doctors’ notes explaining that your chronic pain syndrome is worse at night. Therefore, you cannot work at night.
Your CEO insists all women wear high heels and tight, straight-legged pants or pencil skirts to work.
Your employer will not offer your husband health insurance under your health benefits.
Your employer will not approve your time off to marry your same-sex partner. This employer has given heterosexual couples two weeks off to celebrate their marriage without using their provided vacation time.
Your client refuses to work with any Asian employees.
Your boss demotes you because you refused her sexual advances.
The hiring manager asked your age during the interview. You said you are 52. You were not offered a job.
Your boss fires you while you are on maternity leave because he does not want any new mothers working. He thinks they are not dependable employees.
You are a waiter. Your tips, during a slow turn for the restaurant, are not equivalent to the minimum wage in California. Your employer does not make up the difference in your paycheck.
Your boss refuses to pay you for overtime hours worked. You are an hourly employee.
Your employer does not hold your job or offer an equivalent position when you return from family and medical leave.
Your employer pays you less than agreed in your contract. He then ends the employment terms early without a valid reason.
You work for a company with 50 or more employees. The company has a mass layoff, and you were not given proper notice under the WARN Act.
Your company wants you to alter data for government reporting to save money and taxes. You refuse and report these actions to the IRS. Your company fires you for reporting the illegal activity.

Verdicts & Settlements

Our results speak for themselves

$4.9 Million Settlement

Case Handled by The Derek Smith Law Group Attorney Catherine Lowry Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania The Derek Smith Law Group secured a $4.9 million settlement on behalf of multiple employees of Schuylkill County who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment,…

$1.5 Million Settlement

Case Handled by The Derek Smith Law Group Attorney Derek Smith Supreme Court of the State of New York, County…

$2.78 Million Jury Verdict

Case Handled by The Derek Smith Law Group Attorney Zachary Holzberg United States District Court, Eastern District of New York…

$4.050 Million Jury Verdict

Case Handled by The Derek Smith Law Group Attorney Derek Smith Supreme Court of the State of New York, County…

$1.6 Million Jury Verdict

Case Handled by The Derek Smith Law Group Attorney Derek Smith Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate…

What Laws Protect Employees In Los Angeles?

Federal and state laws protect employees from any wrongdoing in the Los Angeles workplace. Some of the laws which protect employees from any of the employment law issues listed above include:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
42 U.S. §1981
The WARN Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA)
The Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
California Paid Family Leave (PFA)
Wage Theft Protection Act

What Remedies Are Available to Victims of Employment Law Violations in Los Angeles?

Victims of employment law violations are entitled to compensation. Courts will offer remedies depending on the law and violation. Some laws provide more significant monetary awards than others. Remedies are based on the demand you and your labor law attorney make and the damages you suffered.

Our Qualified Employment Attorneys in Los Angeles are Ready for Your Call.

Working in an environment free from labor law violations is a right, not a privilege. Do not waste another moment dealing with these violations of your rights.

Contact the experienced labor and employment law lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group in Los Angeles for your free consultation. Call today at (310) 602-6050 or fill out our online form. We only collect fees when you recover.

Any cases and business handled in California are handled exclusively through Derek Smith Law Group, LLP, an entity completely distinct from Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC.

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