When your career is upended by discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination, the pain and frustration are difficult and isolating. You trusted your employer, and now you feel betrayed, anxious, and worried about your future.
This is more than a business dispute. It's a deeply personal violation that shakes your confidence and financial stability. You deserve justice, but pursuing a claim often means facing a legal system filled with strict deadlines and procedural traps, all while your employer has a team of high-powered attorneys dedicated to protecting their bottom line.
Los Angeles employment litigation demands proven trial experience to even the field. At Greenberg Gross LLP, our employment attorneys stand with employees who refuse to be silenced. Our award-winning attorneys have secured millions for clients and bring that same preparation to your fight.
Call us at (855) 255-5515 or (213) 334-7000 to arrange a consultation and learn how we can help you take control of your case.
Why Do I Need an Employment Litigation Attorney?
Employment litigation involves strict procedural rules, tight deadlines, and an opposing legal team whose only job is to protect the employer. A Los Angeles employment litigation lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP manages every step so nothing is missed and your case stays on track.
Your Employer's Attorneys Start Working Immediately
The moment a legal dispute surfaces, your employer's legal team begins building a defense. They shape the narrative, coach witnesses, and look for every way to minimize your claim. Without your own attorney, you are responding to a process that can easily work against you.
The Legal Process Has Built-In Traps
California employment litigation involves administrative filings, court deadlines, discovery rules, and procedural requirements that can trip up anyone without legal training. Missing one step can weaken your case or end it entirely. Your Los Angeles employment litigation attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP stays ahead of deadlines and procedural requirements.
How Does an Employment Lawsuit Work in Los Angeles?
The employment litigation process in California follows a specific sequence. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP manages each phase and keeps you informed along the way.
Filing a Complaint With the California Civil Rights Department
Before filing a lawsuit for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, California requires an administrative step. Your attorney files a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly DFEH) and can request an immediate right-to-sue notice. The CRD typically issues that notice within five to ten business days.
The three-year filing deadline for CRD complaints comes from the SHARE Act (AB 9). Once you receive the right-to-sue notice, your attorney has one year to file the lawsuit in court.
Filing the Lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court or Federal Court
Your attorney drafts and files the complaint, which is the formal legal document that outlines your claims. The complaint is then served on your employer, who typically has 30 days to respond.
Cases filed in state court go to Los Angeles Superior Court on Hill Street in Downtown LA. Federal claims are filed in the Central District of California courthouse on West First Street.
The Discovery Phase
Discovery is the phase of litigation when both sides exchange evidence. This phase can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Your LA employment law attorney handles every aspect of discovery, including:
- Interrogatories, which are written questions that your employer must answer under oath
- Requests for production that require your employer to turn over emails, personnel files, and internal documents
- Depositions, which are recorded interviews of witnesses and key decision-makers conducted under oath
- Requests for admission, which ask your employer to confirm or deny specific facts
Discovery can reveal evidence that significantly strengthens your case. Internal emails, text messages, and HR records often tell a very different story than what the employer claimed publicly.
Pre-Trial Motions and Mediation
After discovery, either side may file pre-trial motions. A common one is a motion for summary judgment, in which the employer argues that the case should be dismissed without a trial. Your attorney responds to these motions and files any that benefit your position.
Many employment cases also go through mediation during this phase. Mediation is a structured negotiation led by a neutral third party. It is often where settlement discussions gain real traction.
Trial in a Los Angeles Courtroom
If the case does not settle, it goes to trial. A judge or jury hears the evidence and decides whether your employer violated the law and what compensation you should receive.
California does not require a unanimous jury verdict in civil cases, which can work in your favor. Your Greenberg Gross LLP attorney prepares every case with the expectation that it may reach this stage.
Discover Why Los Angeles Employees Choose Greenberg Gross LLP for Employment Litigation
Los Angeles employees often choose us because they are looking for a firm with extensive trial experience, local roots, and a track record of securing significant results.
Proven Employment Litigation Case Results
Greenberg Gross LLP has recovered millions of dollars for employees in wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract cases. You can review a selection of our case results to see the outcomes we have achieved for clients in high-stakes employment litigation and other cases.
Awards and Recognition
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Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
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AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
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Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
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Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Labor and Employment Lawyers
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Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network
These honors reflect a track record of litigation results across every employment case we handle.
Founded by Trial Lawyers Who Left Big Law
Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to build a practice with major-firm resources and the speed of a focused team. The case that inspired the firm's creation ended with a $50 million verdict on a counterclaim.
Deep Roots in Los Angeles and Orange County
Our LA office at 601 South Figueroa Street sits in the Financial District, minutes from the Los Angeles Superior Court and accessible from the I-10, I-110, and US-101. Our Costa Mesa headquarters anchors our presence across Southern California.
A Client-First Approach to Los Angeles Employment Litigation
Our attorneys build lasting relationships with the people we represent. Clients consistently describe our team as responsive, thorough, and genuinely invested in outcomes. That commitment shows in the way we communicate, keeping you informed at every stage rather than leaving you to wonder what is happening with your case.
Our team takes the time to listen, answer questions, and make sure you feel confident in the strategy your attorney is pursuing on your behalf.
Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Los Angeles Employment Litigation
Q: How long does employment litigation take in Los Angeles?
A: Timelines vary based on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months through mediation. Others that go to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court can take longer. Your attorney keeps you informed of your case's progress throughout.
Q: Do employment litigation lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP charge upfront fees?
A: Many employment litigation cases are handled on a contingency basis. That means you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a recovery. We explain the fee structure during your confidential consultation.
Q: Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a lawsuit?
A: No. Retaliation for filing an employment lawsuit is illegal. California's SB 497 creates a presumption of retaliation when adverse action occurs within 90 days of a protected activity, shifting the burden of proof to the employer.
What Types of Claims Go Through Los Angeles Employment Litigation?
Employment litigation covers a broad range of claims. Your lawyer evaluates which legal theories apply and builds the strongest possible case around them.
Discrimination and Wrongful Termination Claims
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code § 12900 et seq.) prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or taking adverse action against employees based on protected characteristics. These include:
- Race, color, ethnicity, national origin, and ancestry
- Religion or religious beliefs/creed
- Sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- Sexual orientation
- Age (40 and older)
- Physical or mental disability
- Medical condition (including cancer-related conditions)
- Genetic information
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions
- Marital status
- Military or veteran status
- Protective hairstyles associated with race
- Reproductive health decision-making
Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims
California law protects employees who report illegal activity or assert their workplace rights. If your employer punished you for filing a complaint, participating in an investigation, or reporting a safety violation, that response may support a retaliation claim.
California's rebuttable presumption law (SB 497, effective January 2024) shifts the burden to employers when adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity. Your employment litigation lawyer can also file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to pursue federal claims.
Hostile Work Environment Claims
FEHA does not require conduct to be "severe and pervasive" the way federal law does. A sustained pattern of unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic that interferes with your ability to do your job can support a hostile work environment claim in California.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Claims involving unpaid wages, overtime violations, meal and rest break violations, and misclassification are litigated through the California Labor Code and can result in significant penalties for employers.
Each of these claim types follows its own procedural path, and your Los Angeles employment litigation attorney determines which laws and courts apply.
What Compensation Can Los Angeles Employment Litigation Recover?
California does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in most FEHA cases. That gives juries the ability to award the full value of your damages. Our Los Angeles employment dispute lawyers document every form of harm you've suffered. These may include:
- Back pay for lost wages, bonuses, and benefits from the date of the violation
- Front pay for future earnings when returning to the employer is not realistic
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, anxiety, and reputational harm
- Punitive damages when the employer acted with malice or willful disregard
- Lawyer's fees and litigation costs
Our attorneys are driven by a singular focus: to empower our clients and fight for the maximum compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives. Greenberg Gross LLP has secured a $10 million breach of contract settlement and a $6.1 million whistleblower retaliation judgment. We bring that preparation to every employment litigation case in Los Angeles.
FAQs: Questions About Los Angeles Employment Litigation Answered by Our Attorneys
Do I have to go through the CRD before filing an employment lawsuit in California?
For discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, California requires you to file a complaint with the CRD and obtain a right-to-sue notice before filing a lawsuit. Your attorney can request the notice immediately and move to court within days.
Can my employment case settle before going to trial in Los Angeles?
Yes. Many cases settle during the discovery phase or through mediation. Settlement can happen at any point before a verdict is reached. Your attorney advises you on whether a settlement offer reflects the full value of your claim.
What happens if I lose my employment case at trial?
A loss at trial does not necessarily mean the end. Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may file a post-trial motion or an appeal. Each situation is different, and your Los Angeles employment lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP will discuss all options with you.
Can I file an employment lawsuit if I quit my job?
Yes. If your employer made conditions so unbearable that you felt forced to resign, that may qualify as constructive discharge. California treats constructive discharge the same as a direct termination for purposes of a lawsuit.
Does Greenberg Gross LLP handle employment litigation outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. Our team handles employment litigation throughout Southern California, including Orange County, and statewide. We also maintain offices in Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.[a]
Discuss Your Los Angeles Employment Litigation Case Today
The employment litigation process is complex, but it exists to protect you. The attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP have the trial experience and preparation to guide your case through every phase, from the initial CRD filing through a jury verdict if that is what your case requires.
Call (855) 255-5515 or reach our Los Angeles office at (213) 334-7000 for a confidential consultation with an employment litigation attorney.
[a]please list either all states or all cities