Top Rated Los Angeles Employment Lawyers: Protecting Your Workplace Rights
Los Angeles workers seeking aggressive, successful labor attorneys consistently turn to Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers for comprehensive California labor law representation. Our Los Angeles employment lawyers have secured over $300 million in awards for clients, backed by a dedicated team committed to delivering superior client experiences and maximizing compensation. We offer free consultations to help victims pursue their legal claims and achieve justice.
California Employment Lawyers on Your Side
Our Los Angeles employment attorneys at Kingsley Szamet have extensive experience involving: discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, disability discrimination, wage & hour disputes (hour violations), unpaid wages, workplace retaliation, age discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, employee rights, and reimbursement cases to name a few. Handing employment law claims in Los Angeles is the Kingsley specialty. Let our employment law firm show you why so many victims have already chosen the Kingsley Szamet law office to bring justice to their lives.
Call (818) 990-8300 For Your Free Employee Rights Consultation
Those who have worked for a company that violated employee rights laws are not alone: companies regularly take advantage of their workers. When they do, Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers have a strong, proven record of holding them accountable, regardless of their size. Whatever the legal issues our team fights for employee rights.
Our Success - Results That Matter
Our Los Angeles law firm continues to provide proven results for our clients. Attorneys at Kingsley Szamet have won cases against some of the largest employers in the country, and do not back down when their clients' livelihoods are on the line. Regardless of whether you are in need of an overtime lawyer, discrimination attorney, or employment class action lawyer, our employee rights law firm is standing by to help you with your issue.
Client Testimonials
Our employment and labor attorneys have been representing employees just like you. Here are just a few of our many happy clients who have praised us for our great results, personable service, and expert knowledge.
Sal Bernal
I've dealt with 3 different lawyer companies before and this is a great one. They not only keep you up to date with the process but just in case they forget to keep you in the know there I a tracking system to let you know the current process of your case.
Review Originally published on Google
Kent Davis
Mrs Szamet Is an excellent lawyer who has perfected the art of communications with her clients. I never felt the need to call in and check on my case progress, as Mrs. Szamet did this without needing any reminders. Mrs. Szamet, from the beginning, explained, in detail, the type of settlement that could be arranged, and although I believed the case was worth more millions at the time (due to my lack of knowledge), her range was right on! In the end, my final settlement amount was a bit higher than the range presented to me. I would definitely highly recommend Mrs. Szamet for employment law cases as she is extremely experienced and a proven negotiator. One final item I have to mention, Mrs. Szamet fights for the employee, not the employer, and my case involved an NBA sports team; Mrs. Szamet was not intimidated at all and went at this case with gusto and passion!
Review Originally published on Google
Savannah Craft
Kelsey Szamet knowledge about my case was impressive and highly competent. Her understanding of Labor Law is incredible. Kelsey was supportive throughout the entire process. Kelsey's office and her paralegal were awesome, responsive, and efficient. I highly recommend her and Kingsley Szamet to anyone facing issues with their employer.
Review Originally published on Google
Why We're the Right Los Angeles Employment Attorneys for You
We don't just practice employment law - we transform workplace injustice into meaningful legal victories. Our attorneys bring unparalleled expertise, strategic insight, and a proven track record of holding employers accountable for their misconduct. With our relentless commitment to employee rights, we turn legal challenges into opportunities for justice and meaningful compensation. Set your expectations high. Below are just a few of the many reason why our firm is your best choice.
- Proven Track Record: With over $300 million in client awards, we consistently deliver meaningful legal victories for employees
- No Financial Risk: Our no-win, no-fee promise means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you
- Comprehensive Support: Free consultations and personalized legal strategies tailored to your unique workplace situation
- Local Expertise: Deep understanding of California labor laws and the Los Angeles employment landscape
- Dedicated Advocacy: Relentless commitment to protecting employee rights and holding employers accountable
- Experienced Team: Skilled attorneys with strategic insight and extensive employment law knowledge
Our local employment lawyers and labor attorneys in Los Angeles do their best to provide employees with exactly what they need to move forward with confidence, regardless of their decision. That's why our team of Southern California labor lawyers offer free consultations and a no-win, no-fee promise. This means that there are no out-of-pocket expenses to begin your lawsuit, and only have to pay our Los Angeles employment lawyers if we recover compensation for you.
Fair Labor Standards Act Los Angeles Attorneys
The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. Our FLSA attorneys have extensive experience holding employers accountable for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Let us hep you with any hour disputes, or wage related employment cases. Get help from a California employment lawyer today. Call, email, or engage in a live chat to begin the process of having our Fair Labor Standards act lawyers provide youth a free consultation for your rights relating to overtime pay.
Federal and California Employment Laws
Helping employees understand Federal employment laws can be changeling if you don't have a knowledgeable Los Angeles employment lawyer. We can help you understand your rights under federal and California laws. Employment and labor laws set the legal parameters for employment contracts, torts, equal employment opportunities, wage and hour claims, health and safety, and employee benefits, along with union organization and collective bargaining.
When dealing with employment related matters you need someone to stand up for you against the abusive practices of your employer. Employment law matters. Whether it is sexual harassment, wage denials, examples of wrongful termination, not receiving your break/rest periods or more, Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers are experienced in all types of claims.
What Laws Protect Employees in Los Angeles?
Employment and labor are extremely broad legal fields and a host of federal laws regulates the workplace, which includes the following:
- Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
- Taft Hartley Act
- Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Wage and hour laws
- National Labor Relations (NLRA)
- Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
In places with union organizations, state laws typically defer to federal laws. However, state and local laws usually take precedence in setting a minimum wage for workers, defining overtime pay, and wage and hours.
State laws typically provide more rigid requirements than minimum safety standards set by federal laws. Both state and federal laws protect employees against discrimination, each within their own regulatory bodies - under federal law, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and under California law, the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC). Kingsley Szamet can help you deal with unfair employment and workplace issues.
FAQs
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Los Angeles?
The cost of a lawyer in LA can vary depending on a number of factors, which might include experience, type of case law, complexity of the claim, the law firms track record, etc. A law firms will likely choose to charge clients based on a flat rate, hourly rate, or work off of a contingency fee.
What Can an Employment Lawyer Help with?
An employment law firm can help explain your rights such as applicable laws and options you might have depending on your unique circumstances. Practice areas they might help with may include discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, employee rights, breach of contract, separation agreements, ethics investigation, and much more.
What is the Role of an Employment Lawyer
An Employment attorney role is to help advise and counsel clients on employment laws from workplace issues that might arise.
Can I Hire a Lawyer for EDD?
If you feel you have an EDD claim and disagree with an EDD decision you have the right to speak with an unemployment attorney who may be able to advocate your case for you.
How do I know if I have an employment law case?
Employment law cases typically arise when you've experienced workplace violations such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or wage theft. If you believe your employer has illegally mistreated you or violated your workplace rights, consulting with an employment attorney can help you understand the viability of your potential case.
Can I file an employment law claim on my own?
Yes. While it is technically possible to file an employment law claim on your own, navigating complex legal procedures without professional expertise can significantly reduce your chances of success. An experienced employment attorney can provide critical guidance, help you understand your rights, gather necessary evidence, and maximize your potential compensation.
Types of Employment Law Claims
Employment law protects workers from unfair workplace practices by establishing clear legal standards for treatment, compensation, and professional rights. These laws cover a wide range of potential workplace violations, from discrimination and harassment to wage disputes and wrongful termination. Understanding your rights under employment law is crucial for maintaining a fair, safe, and respectful work environment.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for illegal reasons that violate employment contracts, labor laws, or public policy. This can include dismissals based on discrimination, retaliation, or violation of an employee's legal rights. Employees who experience wrongful termination may be entitled to compensation, including lost wages, reinstatement, and potential punitive damages.
Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination involves unfair treatment of employees based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, pregnancy, or disability. These discriminatory practices can manifest in hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination decisions that disadvantage certain employees. Employers are legally prohibited from making employment decisions based on these protected characteristics under federal and state laws.
- Pregnancy Discrimination: Pregnancy discrimination occurs when employers treat employees unfairly due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This can include refusing to hire, demoting, or terminating an employee because of pregnancy. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects women from such discriminatory practices in all aspects of employment.
- Race Discrimination: Race discrimination involves treating employees differently based on their race, skin color, or racial characteristics. This can include unequal hiring practices, denied promotions, lower wages, or hostile work environments targeting specific racial groups. Federal and state laws strictly prohibit any form of racial discrimination in the workplace.
- Age Discrimination: Age discrimination targets employees 40 years and older, involving unfair treatment in hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers from employment decisions based solely on age. This includes practices that disproportionately impact older workers or create barriers to their professional advancement.
- Gender Discrimination: Gender discrimination involves unequal treatment based on an employee's gender or sexual identity. This can manifest in pay disparities, limited advancement opportunities, or differential treatment in workplace policies and practices. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender in all aspects of employment.
- Breast Feeding Discrimination: Breastfeeding discrimination occurs when employers fail to provide reasonable accommodations for nursing mothers. Federal and state laws protect nursing mothers' rights to take reasonable break time and have access to a private, non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk.
- Religious Discrimination: Religious discrimination occurs when employers treat workers unfairly based on their religious beliefs, practices, or affiliations, including denying reasonable accommodations for religious observances and customs. Federal and state laws require employers to reasonably accommodate employees' sincerely held religious beliefs unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the business.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate comments, or conduct that creates a hostile work environment. This can involve quid pro quo harassment, where employment benefits are tied to sexual favors, or a pervasive environment of sexual intimidation. Employers are legally responsible for preventing and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.
Unpaid Wages and Overtime
Unpaid wages and overtime claims arise when employers fail to compensate employees properly for hours worked. Unpaid wages include minimum wage violations, failure to pay overtime, incorrect wage calculations, or withholding earned compensation. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes federal standards for wage and hour protections. Wage and hour violations may include:
- Overtime: California law requires employers to pay non-exempt employees 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 8 in a day or 40 in a week. Employers who fail to properly calculate or pay overtime wages violate labor laws and may owe significant back pay plus penalties.
- Unpaid Reimbursement: Employers must reimburse workers for necessary business expenses, which might include mileage, tools, and equipment required for work. Failure to reimburse required expenses effectively reduces an employee's wages below legal requirements and violates California labor law.
- Meal & Rest Breaks: California workers are entitled to a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 hours and 10-minute rest breaks for every 4 hours worked. When employers deny these breaks or fail to provide premium pay for missed breaks, they violate wage and hour laws.
- Prevailing Wage Law: Workers on public works projects must receive prevailing wages set by state and federal standards for their trade and location. Contractors who underpay workers or misclassify them to avoid prevailing wage requirements face significant penalties and back pay obligations.
- Unpaid Wages: Employers must pay workers for all hours worked, including preparation time, training, and required meetings. Failing to compensate employees for all work time, including final wages upon termination, violates wage and hour laws.
- Minium Wage Violations: California employers must pay at least the state minimum wage, which is higher than the federal standard. Any payment below minimum wage, including through illegal deductions or requiring off-the-clock work, violates labor laws.
- Employee Misclassification: Employers who wrongly classify workers as independent contractors deny them overtime, benefits, and other wage protections they deserve as employees. This misclassification scheme often results in significant wage and hour violations that can be legally challenged.
Retaliation Claims
Retaliation claims arise when employers take adverse actions against employees who engage in legally protected activities, such as reporting workplace misconduct or discrimination. These claims protect workers from punitive measures like termination, demotion, or creating a hostile work environment in response to an employee exercising their legal rights. Employees who experience workplace retaliation may be entitled to compensation and legal remedies that restore their professional standing and address the harm caused by the employer's illegal actions.
- Workplace Retaliation: Workplace retaliation occurs when employers punish employees for reporting misconduct, discrimination, or exercising their legal rights. Retaliatory actions can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, or creating a hostile work environment. Laws protect employees from such punitive measures when they engage in legally protected activities.
- Whistleblower: Whistleblower protections safeguard employees who report illegal activities, safety violations, or unethical conduct within an organization. These protections prevent employers from retaliating against employees who expose wrongdoing in good faith. Whistleblower laws exist at both federal and state levels to encourage corporate accountability.
Hostile Work Environment
Hostile work environment claims arise when employees face severe or pervasive harassment, intimidation, or offensive behavior that interferes with their ability to perform their job. This harassment can be based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, or disability, creating an atmosphere that any reasonable person would find abusive or hostile. Beyond isolated incidents, a hostile work environment typically involves a pattern of behavior that management either encourages, tolerates, or fails to address appropriately.
Medical & Disability Leave of Absence
Medical and disability leave protections ensure employees can take necessary time off for health conditions without fear of job loss. Laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantee job-protected leave and reasonable accommodations. Violations of these rights can result in legal action against employers.
Experienced Employment Lawyers in California
Employers in both small and large cities, including Los Angeles, sometimes violate employment laws through various means, including wrongful termination, unfair or discriminatory employment practices, sexual harassment, failure to pay the minimum wage, or intentional employee misclassification. Generally, the first step an employee must take is to report the violation to the appropriate state or federal regulatory authority, such as the EEOC, FEHC, or a labor union representative.
A labor lawyer at our firm can represent you in administrative hearings before the EEOC or FEHC, in mediation or arbitration hearings, or through litigation, as necessary. To get legal advice from experienced employment attorneys Los Angeles simply fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Get Help from Aggressive Los Angeles Employment Lawyers Ready to Fight For You
Reach out to Kingsley Szamet's Los Angeles employment attorneys for a free consultation to address workplace injustices. Our experienced lawyers serve employees throughout the LA area, fighting tirelessly to protect workers from discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. With our dedicated legal support, you can navigate complex employment challenges and seek the justice you deserve.
We proudly serve several key cities in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Encino, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Century City, and El Segundo. If you or a loved one is experiencing workplace discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or labor law violations, call us today for a free legal consultation.
Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers
16133 Ventura Blvd #1200
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 990-8300
