Practice Areas / Employment
Get treated fairly at work.
We represent employees navigating tough situations at work. Many workplace disputes end with a negotiated severance, a demand letter, or advice rather than a lawsuit. We’ll help you choose the right path.
Result in this area
One year of salary and reinstatement
Settlement for a government employee denied a job because of a sealed, non-conviction arrest
Asked to sign a severance agreement?
Signing releases your claims. Talk to a lawyer before the deadline. How severance review works →
What we handle
Workplace problems we take on
The law bars employers from treating workers differently based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, or national origin.
Discrimination
Hiring, firing, or discipline based on a protected characteristic, including the use of sealed or nonconviction arrests.
Harassment
Employers must protect workers from harassment, including by coworkers and customers.
Equal pay
Paying women less than men for the same or similar work is unlawful.
Retaliation and political activity
California employers can’t fire or threaten workers for lawful political activity.
Wage and hour
Misclassification, unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, and unreimbursed expenses.
Severance negotiation
Review of an agreement and claims you’d be waiving, then negotiating for better terms.
Severance review
How a severance engagement works
1
We review the agreement and your personnel history.
2
We identify the claims that give you leverage.
3
We send a demand or negotiate with your employer’s counsel.
4
We advise you on the final terms before you sign.
Fees are agreed in writing before work begins. Depending on the situation, they may be hourly or contingent. No results are guaranteed.
Our work in this area
Representative matters
Sealed arrest used to deny a job
SETTLED
A government employee whose sealed, nonconviction arrest was used to deny him a job. The case settled for one year of salary and reinstatement.
Severance negotiations
TECH AND NONPROFIT
Tech and nonprofit employees who were unfairly terminated or faced discriminatory or retaliatory treatment.
Political views at work
TEACHERS AND WORKERS
Teachers and other workers who faced adverse action over their political views and activities.
No-poach and wage-fixing agreements are covered on Antitrust & Unfair Competition →
Frequently asked questions
Employment questions we hear
I have 21 days to sign a severance agreement. What should I do?
Speak with a lawyer before you sign, because signing releases your claims. Note the deadline in the form so we can prioritize your inquiry.
Can you help me negotiate severance?
If we take you on as a client, we review the agreement, identify the claims you’d be waiving, and negotiate terms.
Can my employer pay me less than a man doing the same job?
No. Paying women less than men for the same or similar work is unlawful.
A coworker or customer is harassing me. Is my employer responsible?
Employers must protect workers from harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation, including harassment by coworkers or customers.
Can I be fired for my political views?
In California, employers can’t fire or threaten to fire workers for lawful political activity.
I’m an independent contractor. Could I have been misclassified?
Misclassification can cost workers missed meal and rest breaks, overtime, and unreimbursed expenses.
Am I entitled to overtime and breaks?
It depends on the type of work, but many employees are entitled to overtime and meal and rest breaks.
Free, confidential evaluation
Problem at work, or a severance offer to review?
- Tell us what happened and any deadline you’re facing.
- A member of our team reaches out to you promptly.
- If we can help, we agree on fees in writing before any work begins.
Request a free evaluation
Free and confidential. We’ll reach out promptly.
Other practice areas
Antitrust & Unfair Competition →Privacy & Surveillance →Consumer Protection →Civil Rights & Civil Liberties →Business Disputes →
Attorney advertising. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.