Your job was supposed to be a source of stability, not betrayal and financial distress. When your employer crosses a legal line through discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or wrongful termination, the fallout touches every part of your life.
The team of Los Angeles employment lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP represents employees throughout Los Angeles County who are going through exactly this kind of situation.
Our attorneys handle employment claims in the Los Angeles Superior Court, the Central District of California federal court, and before state and federal agencies. From our office at 601 South Figueroa Street in the Financial District, we fight for fair compensation for employees who have been treated unlawfully.
Call (855) 255-5515 or reach our Los Angeles office at (213) 334-7000 for a confidential consultation with an employment attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP.
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Employment Lawyer?
You’re not legally required to work with a lawyer, but having qualified legal representation to lead you through this trying time and stand up to your employer gives your case considerable legal leverage.
California has some of the strongest employee protections in the country. But those protections only work when an experienced attorney applies them to your specific situation. Our Los Angeles employment lawyers level the field between you and your employer's legal team.
Your Employer Already Has Lawyers Working Against You
The moment you raise a concern or get pushed out, your employer's priority shifts to self-protection. That can mean altering records, coaching managers on what to say, or building a paper trail to justify what already happened. Your employment attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP counters that strategy from day one.
California Law Gives Your Attorney Powerful Tools
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code § 12900 et seq.) is the backbone of California employment law. It prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and covers employers with five or more workers.
Federal protections through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act add another layer of coverage for employers with 15 or more employees.
FEHA protects a broader range of characteristics than federal law. Those categories include:
- Race, color, and national origin
- Gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- Sexual orientation and marital status
- Age (40 and older) and disability
- Medical condition, genetic information, and pregnancy
- Military and veteran status
- Protective hairstyles associated with race
FEHA also does not cap compensatory or punitive damages, which means juries can award the full value of what you lost. Greenberg Gross LLP’s team of Los Angeles employment lawyers builds your case around these protections.
Greenberg Gross LLP is ready to stand by your side
How Do Our Los Angeles Employment Lawyers Build Your Case?
Our attorneys take over the legal process from your first consultation forward. Here is how we approach every case we take on.
We Identify Every Claim Your Circumstance Supports
A single workplace violation can give rise to multiple claims. Your attorney reviews whether your situation involves discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, hostile work environment, wage theft, or breach of an employment contract.
Constructive discharge may also apply. That means your employer made conditions so unbearable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. California treats that the same as a direct firing.
Determining Which Legal Path Is Right for Your Case
California law gives employees several ways to pursue an employment claim. Your attorney may file a civil lawsuit, an administrative complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly DFEH), or a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Each path has different deadlines and remedies. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP determines which combination positions your case for the strongest result.
Holding Every Responsible Party Accountable
California law allows employees to pursue claims against individual supervisors, not just the company. If a manager personally participated in harassment or discrimination, that person can be named in your lawsuit.
Our employment lawyers investigate the full chain of responsibility. Whether your employer operates out of a high-rise on Wilshire Boulevard, a production studio in Burbank, or a warehouse near the Port of Long Beach, we identify every party whose conduct contributed to the violation.
Why Early Evidence Matters in a Los Angeles Employment Case
Employment cases depend on documentation that can disappear quickly. Internal emails, Slack messages, performance reviews, and HR files all play a role in proving what really happened.
Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP takes steps to preserve that evidence from the start. The sooner you contact our team, the stronger the foundation your case will have.
Why Los Angeles Employees Choose Greenberg Gross LLP for Employment Cases
Our firm was built for high-stakes cases. Here is what makes Greenberg Gross LLP different from other employment law firms in Los Angeles.
Founded by Trial Lawyers Who Left Big Law
Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to create a strong practice with big-firm firepower and none of the bureaucracy. The case that inspired the firm's creation ended with a $50 million verdict on a counterclaim.
Proven Employment Results
Our attorneys have secured a $10 million breach of contract settlement and a $6.1 million whistleblower retaliation judgment. We bring that same level of preparation to every employment case we handle in Los Angeles.
Deep Roots in Los Angeles and Orange County
Our LA office at 601 South Figueroa Street sits in the heart of the Financial District, minutes from the Los Angeles Superior Court and accessible from the I-10, I-110, and US-101. Our headquarters in Costa Mesa gives us an equally strong presence across Orange County.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Labor & Employment Litigation Firm
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars selections
- Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network
These honors reflect a consistent record of litigation excellence across every practice area we serve.
Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Your Los Angeles Employment Case
Q: Can I sue my employer for wrongful termination in Los Angeles?
A: Yes. California is an at-will state, but employers cannot fire you for illegal reasons like discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblowing. A Los Angeles employment lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP can evaluate whether your termination violated state or federal law.
Q: How much does a Los Angeles employment lawyer cost?
A: Many employment cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a recovery. Greenberg Gross LLP explains the fee structure during your confidential consultation.
Q: Can I file an employment claim if I still work for the company?
A: Yes. California law protects employees from retaliation for filing a complaint. If your employer punishes you for asserting your rights, that retaliation can give rise to additional legal claims with their own damages.
What Compensation Can Your Los Angeles Employment Attorneys Recover for Me?
California does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in most employment cases brought through FEHA. That makes the state one of the most favorable places in the country for employees pursuing legal claims. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP documents every category of loss.
Recovery in a Los Angeles employment case may include:
- Back pay for lost wages, bonuses, commissions, and benefits
- Front pay for future earnings when returning to the job is not realistic
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress and harm to your reputation
- Punitive damages when the employer acted with malice or willful disregard
- Attorney's fees and litigation costs
These losses add up quickly, especially for professionals working in Downtown LA, Century City, Hollywood, or the Westside whose careers have been disrupted. Our attorneys pursue every available form of recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File an Employment Claim in Los Angeles?
Filing deadlines depend on which law applies and where you file. Missing a deadline eliminates your right to pursue the claim, regardless of the evidence.
FEHA Filing Deadlines for Los Angeles Employment Claims
California's SHARE Act (AB 9) extended the FEHA filing deadline to three years from the date of the discriminatory or retaliatory act. You must file an administrative complaint with the CRD before you can file a lawsuit, but you can request an immediate right-to-sue notice at the time of filing.
Once you receive that notice, you have one year to file your lawsuit in court.
Federal EEOC Filing Deadlines for Los Angeles Employees
Employees pursuing federal claims through the EEOC have 300 days from the last discriminatory act to file a charge. After the EEOC issues a right-to-sue letter, you have 90 days to file a federal lawsuit.
California Labor Code Claims
Wage theft and unpaid overtime claims follow a different timeline. The California Labor Code generally provides three years for wage claims and four years when the claim involves a written contract.
A Los Angeles employment lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP identifies which deadlines apply and makes sure nothing expires.
We can help with the process every step of the way
Questions Clients Often Ask Our LA Employment Lawyers
Can I sue my boss for workplace harassment in Los Angeles?
Yes. FEHA prohibits harassment based on any protected characteristic. Your employer can be held responsible if a supervisor committed the harassment or if the company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
What if my employer says I was fired for performance but I have good reviews?
A sudden change in performance evaluations around the time you engaged in protected activity can be evidence that the stated reason was a cover for discrimination or retaliation. Your employment attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP builds the case around those inconsistencies.
How long does an employment case take in Los Angeles?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case, the number of claims involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some employment claims resolve in a few months through negotiation, while others can take longer if they proceed through litigation. Our experienced attorneys will outline a realistic timeline based on your specific circumstances and keep your case moving forward at every stage.
Do Los Angeles employment lawyers handle wage theft cases?
Yes. Our attorneys represent employees in claims involving unpaid wages, overtime violations, meal and rest break violations, and misclassification. The California Labor Code provides strong remedies, including liquidated damages and attorney fees.
Can I file an employment claim against a small company in Los Angeles?
FEHA applies to employers with five or more workers for discrimination claims. Harassment claims apply to all employers, even those with only one employee. Your Los Angeles employment attorney determines which laws cover your situation.
Does Greenberg Gross LLP take employment cases outside of LA County?
Yes. Our team handles employment cases throughout Southern California, including Orange County, where our headquarters is located in Costa Mesa, and statewide through our network of offices. We also have offices in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Nevada, California, and Pennsylvania.
What is the difference between discrimination and harassment in a Los Angeles employment case?
Discrimination involves adverse job actions like firing, demoting, or denying a promotion based on a protected characteristic. Harassment involves unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile or abusive work environment. Both are illegal, and both can support separate claims.
Can I file a claim if my employer in Los Angeles misclassified me as an independent contractor?
Yes. Misclassification can affect your access to overtime pay, benefits, meal and rest breaks, and unemployment insurance. California's ABC test sets a strict standard for who qualifies as an independent contractor, and your employment lawyer can evaluate whether your employer violated it.
Contact a Los Angeles Employment Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP Today
Your employer had legal obligations to you, and they failed to meet them. California law gives you the tools to hold them accountable, and the employment lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP have the trial experience to make that happen.
Our founders left a global firm to build a practice dedicated to high-stakes cases exactly like yours.
Call (855) 255-5515 or reach our Los Angeles office directly at (213) 334-7000 for a confidential consultation with a Los Angeles employment attorney.