California, much like the rest of the United States, possesses employment law that is more complicated and more pro-employee than most legal regimes. Compliance with workplace rights, wage and hour regulations, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination, employee benefits, and compensations are so stringent that either employee or employer would resort to legal counsel. Discrimination at the workplace, theft of wages or understanding contracts are just and few instances when you require the best employment law firm in California.
This guide highlights the best employment law firms in California including their expertise and experience and why you would consider them. Apart from those, we will also handle some common questions so that you will not have any trouble as you look for legal service providers.
Reasons You Should Need an Employment Law Firm
Cross-country employment law action ranges from the beneficial status of the employee to the beneficial status of the employer. In light of the above issues, more so in California where labor laws and policies are too complex, engaging a reputable employment law firm keeps your interest safe no matter how unjust the employer is or how unjust treatment an employee is. Also, discover reliable top law firms and their services in California, USA.
Key Reasons to Hire an Employment Law Firm:
Discrimination in Employment: Legal aid in the matters of discrimination on grounds of race, sex, age, handicap, or context of the discrimination religion.
Wage and Hour disputes: Legal aid in failure to pay wage, overtime obligation and provision of meal break periods or rest breaks.
Unlawful termination: Puposes and protection towards allegations that are based on the illegal termination of an employee.
Sexual Harassment: Assistance to clients with legal needs arising from sexual harassment complaints and environments that are hostile.
Worker’s Benefits: Provision of services towards the resolution of benefit disputes, leave issues as well as pension plans.
Top Employment Law Firms in California
This state has some of the best employment law specialists in the US. These firms have managed to build a track record of satisfaction in the representation of clients in employment-related litigations, class actions and massive litigations. We highlight the best employment law firms in California with a focus on safeguarding worker’s rights.
Outten & Golden LLP
Focus Area: Labor Lawyer, Discrimination attorney, Wage Hour lawyer
Outten & Golden LLP has soared over the last few years and has also become a leading player in employment discrimination cases within California among other states. The firm’s practices include the protection of employees’ rights and include claims of workplace discrimination, harassment, and wage disputes. They handle cases of wage and hour class action as a good option for big employee groups seeking equity.
Achievements:
- Represented many workers in the wage and hour class actions and won the cases.
- Outten makes headlines with its discrimination practice and holds numerous successes in such cases as race and gender discrimination.
Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP
Focus Area: Wrongful Termination, Harassment, Retaliation
Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP is a California-based boutique firm that specializes in the area of law pertaining to employment. The practice is mainly focused on the issues of retaliation, wrongful termination, and workplace harassment. They have capable lawyers who provide these services in a very specialized manner and they are known for the high rates of settlements and verdicts being in their favor.
Achievements:
- Obtained several multi-million-dollar settlements for clients in wrongful dismissal and harassment claims.
- Regularly commended for its clients’ bias and for having a good grasp of the intricacies of California employment laws.
The Bloom Firm
Focus Area: Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Wrongful Termination
The Bloom Firm is regarded as one of the top employment law firms in California dealing with sexual harassment and discrimination cases. Established by one of the most well-known attorneys Lisa Bloom, the law firm has represented many celebrities and has won a number of substantial individual as well as class action cases. The law firm also deals with whistleblower cases and wrongful termination cases.
Achievements:
- Victims of famous sexual harassment and discrimination cases were professionally represented.
- Utilizes combative litigation techniques that have yielded impressive outcomes for clients.
Kingsley & Kingsley Lawyers
Focus Area: Wage and Hour, Employee Benefits, Class Actions
Kingsley & Kingsley Lawyers is the top Employment Law Firm in California and handles employee wage and hour claims. The firm has a solid track record in unpaid wage claims, unpaid overtime, and failure to provide meal or rest break periods. Also, class actions make the firm one of the best for such type of large-scale employee litigation.
Achievements:
- Obtained unpaid wages on behalf of the employees of California which ran into millions of dollars.
- Excellent in dealing with class action cases which are as well wage and hour cases.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Focus Area: Employer Defense, Employment Litigation, Labor Law Compliance
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a worldwide law firm with a large capacity in California. Employment litigation and representing clients, compliance with labor law, and investigatory assignments in the workplace form the majority of their work. Firms such as these are well-known for providing legal advice in defense of large firms in employment issues, thereby saving such firms the costs of litigation and ensuring they observe California labor laws.
Achievements:
- Represented Fortune 500 companies in complex employment litigation.
- Excellent in legal practices surrounding labor laws as well as in the establishment of workplace policies.
Capstone Law APC
Focus Area: Class Actions, Wage and Hour, Consumer Protection
Capstone Law APC is a leading employment law class action firm in California. In this regard, the firm is quite famous for covering wage and hour claim cases for many employees. Their knowledge of employment and consumer law has made it possible for the firm to be able to win many cases for workers in the state of California. Outlined below are some of the awards and accomplishments the firm has achieved over this period:
Achievements:
- The firm has aided in collecting thousands of dollars for its employees in unpaid wages and fringe benefits.
- In such a process of litigation, a number of class action lawsuits based on wage and hour claims were tried and obtained successful results for thousands of employees.
How to Choose the Right Employment Law Firm
When considering employment law firms in California the following factors must be looked into as they may affect the case. Of course, no two law firms are the same, and especially the choice of the firm is very crucial while determining the resolution of the legal issue.
Area of Specialization
It should be understood that the law offices may deal with only a narrow range of issues of employment law: for example discrimination wage claims, or return from work problems. Make sure that the law firm you decide on has dealt with employment law cases like yours for a long time.
Reputation and Track Record
Employers should ensure that the legal representation they engage has experience in employment law and winning employment law cases. Reviews, testimonials, and case results are a good way of gauging their reputation amongst legal minds.
Size and Resources
It is quite obvious that larger law firms tend to have more resources and assets like expert witnesses and more attorneys to help in complicated cases. It, however, seems payments depend on the time spent more than on the cost of the case so, boutique law practices provide more attention but bear in mind they are not generalists in the field of employment law.
Communication and Transparency
Communication is very important in the case of any legal issue. Be certain that the firm you will go for will communicate any fees, approach to the case and some results or what to expect. A good employment law firm will always inform you of the ongoing activities with your case, and they will always be in a position to address some of your inquiries.
Common Employment Law Issues in California
California is known for being one of the most employee-friendly states hence such employees’ interests are safely guarded due to the existence of strict employment laws in the state. Below are some of the commonplace aspects of employment law that law offices in the state deal with:
Wage and Hour Claims
California wage and hour regulations are very strict, resulting in a substantial number of wage and hour litigation cases, for example: unpaid wages, failure to pay overtime, and wrong classification of employees. Employment law firms advocate on behalf of the employees where the employers owe wages that need to be paid.
Discrimination and Harassment
There are laws protecting people from discrimination due to their race, sex, age, disability, and other characteristics in both state and federal statutes. Employment law advocates assist employees who face discrimination and harassment in the workplace by filing charges against the aggressors.
Wrongful Termination
This happens when an employee is wrongfully discharged for various illicit grounds such as discrimination and for being a whistle-blower. Employment law firms seek to ensure justice for the wrongfully fired employees and take legal action against the employers.
Employment Benefits and Leave Issues
Each and every employee is entitled to various benefits however differences often arise over one issue: when, how and even whether a given employee can receive a given benefit. Employment law offices assist employees in the resolution of these problems and ensure that the employees get the rights that they are provided for in the law.
Conclusion
There’s no easy way of dealing with employment law matters within California as specialist attorneys will be needed and finding a competent employment law specialty firm is important in increasing the chances of winning the case. Be it discrimination, wage theft or wrongful dismissal, it is possible to seek justice with the help of leading employment law firms in California.
A strong grasp of the specialties and strengths of these firms helps you make the right choice and hire the best legal team for your case regarding employment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law Attorneys in California
What is an employment law firm?
An employment law firm is an entity that provides civil legal services and litigation concerning workplace issues like discrimination, wage disputes, wrongful termination or deferred compensation packages amongst other services. The firms assist both the employees and the employers in any employment-related cases.
How do I choose the right employment law firm in California?
When narrowing down the list of available attorneys, take into account their qualifications in light of the nature of cases they usually handle, the image that the firm has, the level of their success in similar fields, and the way they or their staff communicates with clients. Look out for their past success regarding cases similar to yours.
What will be the legal fees of retaining an employment law firm?
Most employment law practices in California operate on a ‘no win no fee’ contingency basis. Some law practices may also bill by the hour or set a flat fee based on the case stipulations.
Is it possible to take my employer to court for wrongful termination in California?
Yes. If some unlawful reasons, for instance, discrimination or retaliation made you get fired, you may sue your employer for wrongful termination. In case this is you, seek the help of an employment law attorney who will assess the details of your situation in a concerted effort to help you recover the losses you sustained.
How long does it usually take to resolve a matter in employment?
How long it takes to resolve matters dealing with employment law is usually determined by how complicated the matter is going to be, the amount of negotiations that both parties are willing to partake in and if going to trial is necessary. Certain matters can be settled within a couple of months while others may take up several years.
What compensation can I recover in a reasonable employment law case?
Monetary damages in employment law cases can include back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees in accordance with the facts of the case.
Shall I get an attorney for a wage and hour dispute?
You can submit a wage claim by yourself; however, this is not encouraged because if you are seeking positive results, you will need to have an employment law attorney if there are complex legal issues and/or a class action.