If your boss fired you, harassed you, or shorted your pay, an employment lawyer can tell you whether the law was broken and what you can do about it. Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers represents employees only. We never represent employers. Your first consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we recover money for you.
What an employment lawyer does for you
Most workers wait too long to talk to a lawyer. By then, they have often lost pay, lost a job, or lost months to a stressful workplace. A lawyer looks at your facts early and tells you where you stand.
Here is what that work looks like:
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We listen to your story and read your documents, such as pay stubs, emails, texts, reviews, and termination letters.
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We tell you which laws apply and whether your claim is strong, weak, or not worth pursuing.
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We file complaints with the EEOC, the California Civil Rights Department, or the Labor Commissioner when that is the right first step.
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We send demand letters and negotiate with the employer's lawyers.
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We file a lawsuit and take your case to trial if the employer won't make a fair offer.
Employers usually have lawyers on call. You should have one too.
Types of employment cases we handle
Each case type has its own page with the laws, deadlines, and evidence that matter most.
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Wrongful termination lawyers for people fired for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or taking protected leave.
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Discrimination lawyers for unfair treatment because of race, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, or another protected trait.
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Sexual harassment lawyers for unwanted sexual comments, contact, or demands at work.
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Hostile work environment lawyers for ongoing harassment that makes the job unbearable.
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Workplace retaliation lawyers for people punished after they complained or stood up for their rights.
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Whistleblower lawyers for people who reported illegal conduct and paid for it.
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Wage and hour lawyers for unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, unpaid wages, expense costs, and class or PAGA claims that cover many workers.
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FMLA and CFRA leave lawyers for workers denied medical or family leave, or punished for taking it.
Federal laws that protect you at work
Federal laws apply in every state. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage and overtime rules. Title VII bans discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act covers pregnancy and childbirth.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects workers with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers who are 40 or older. The Equal Pay Act bans unequal pay for equal work. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible workers job-protected leave.
The EEOC enforces the discrimination laws, and the U.S. Department of Labor enforces wage and leave rules. Each law covers only employers of a certain size, so a small employer may fall outside some of them.
How California adds more protection
California law covers more employers and more kinds of unfair treatment than federal law does. It also gives you more time to file and more ways to recover money. If you work in California, you can often use both sets of laws.
Our guide to California employment law protections explains the state rules, agencies, and remedies in detail. For a quick look at your rights, read things your boss can't legally do.
How an employment case works
Most cases follow the same path. First, we review your facts and gather your documents. Next, we usually file a charge or complaint with an agency, such as the EEOC or the California Civil Rights Department. That step is required for most discrimination and harassment claims before you can sue.
The agency may investigate, offer mediation, or send you a right-to-sue notice. Under federal law, you generally have 90 days after you get that notice to file a lawsuit. After that, we send a demand to the employer and try to settle. If that fails, we file in court.
Many employers ask workers to sign arbitration agreements. These can move your case out of court and into a private process. They don't always take away your claim, and a lawyer can tell you whether yours can be enforced.
What you can recover
What you can recover depends on the law and the facts. In many cases, you can seek lost pay and benefits, pay you would have earned in the future, and money for emotional distress. Some laws let you recover unpaid wages with interest, and some let a court order the employer to pay your attorney's fees.
Federal law caps some damages in discrimination cases, based on the size of the employer. Wage claims and many California claims work differently. Your lawyer can estimate a range once they see your records.
Deadlines you should know about
Every claim has a filing deadline. Miss it, and you can lose the right to sue, even if the employer clearly broke the law. These are the common ones:
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Type of claim |
Where you file |
Typical deadline |
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Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under federal law |
EEOC |
180 days, or 300 days in California |
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The same claims under California law |
California Civil Rights Department |
3 years from the unlawful act |
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Firing that violates public policy |
Superior court |
2 years |
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Unpaid wages and overtime |
Labor Commissioner or court |
3 years, up to 4 in some cases |
|
Federal wage, equal pay, and FMLA claims |
Federal court |
2 years, or 3 if the violation was willful |
These are general rules. Your deadline can be shorter or longer depending on the facts. If you think you have a claim, don't wait.
When to hire an employment lawyer
Call a lawyer as soon as one of these happens to you:
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You were fired, laid off, or forced to quit, and you think the reason was unfair.
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You reported harassment or discrimination, and your boss started treating you worse.
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Your employer didn't pay you for all your hours, your overtime, or your final paycheck.
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You were denied medical, family, or pregnancy leave, or you were punished for taking it.
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Your employer asked you to sign a severance agreement or an arbitration agreement.
Severance agreements matter because they often ask you to give up your right to sue. Talk to a lawyer before you sign. If cost worries you, read what hiring a lawyer costs and how contingency fees work. To see what a case may be worth, read how much you can get for suing your employer.
Where we serve
Our office is in Encino, and we represent employees across California. That includes Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Orange County, Riverside, and the Central Coast.
Why employees choose Kingsley Szamet
Eric Kingsley and Kelsey Szamet lead the firm, and we represent employees only. Results depend on the facts of each case.
We take cases on contingency. That means no upfront fee and no out-of-pocket cost to start. You pay only if we recover money for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the best employment lawyer in Los Angeles?
Look for a firm that represents only employees, takes cases on contingency, and has trial experience. Ask who will work on your case. Ask how the firm handles the type of claim you have. A good lawyer will also tell you if your case is weak.
Do I need a lawyer to file an employment claim?
No, you can file with a state or federal agency on your own. But employers have lawyers, and small mistakes in a filing can cost you your claim. A lawyer helps you pick the right agency, meet the deadline, and build the evidence.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a work case?
Most employee-side cases are handled on contingency, so you pay nothing up front. The firm is paid a percentage only if you recover money. Ask about fees at your first consultation so you see the terms in writing.
How do I know if I have an employment law case?
You may have a case if your employer treated you unfairly because of a protected trait, fired you for an illegal reason, punished you for speaking up, or didn't pay you what the law requires. A short consultation is the fastest way to find out.
Can my employer fire me for talking to a lawyer?
No. Retaliation for asserting your rights is illegal. If your employer punishes you after you hire a lawyer or file a claim, that can become a separate claim.
Does federal or California law apply to my case?
Often both do. Federal law sets a minimum, and California law adds more protection. A lawyer can tell you which one gives you the better path.
Contact Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers
Call (818) 990-8300 to talk with our team about your situation. You can also schedule your free consultation online. We're at 16133 Ventura Blvd #1200, Encino, CA 91436, and we represent employees across California. This page gives general information. It isn't legal advice for your situation.
