Serving Clients Throughout California

info@peaklegalca.com | (626) 517-1000

info@peaklegalca.com | (626) 517-1000

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EMPLOYMENT LAWYER

California Employment Lawyers

Peak Legal, APC understands the complexities and sensitivities of employment law. Whether you are facing wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or disputes over contracts and wages, our legal team is here to guide and support you. As California labor and employment lawyers, we use modern legal strategies to defend your rights, and we do it with no upfront cost to you.

A quick guide to labor and employment law in California

California has some of the strongest worker protections in the country. This guide answers the questions employees ask most, so you understand your rights before you act. For a deeper look, read our essential guide to California labor laws.

personal injury

California Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers

Peak Legal, APC is a California law firm built around your rights — advocating for injured people and mistreated employees across the state with transparency, modern technology, and aggressive strategy.

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employment lawyer

What are the employment laws in California?

California protects workers through several laws and agencies. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected traits such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, age (40 and over), disability, and sexual orientation. Wage and hour laws require minimum wage, overtime (generally 1.5 times pay after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and double time after 12 hours), and meal and rest breaks. Anti-retaliation laws protect employees who report illegal activity or exercise their rights. Leave laws like the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and FMLA protect family and medical leave. California is an at-will employment state, but at-will status never lets an employer fire, harass, or retaliate against you for an illegal reason.

Employment cases we handle

  • Discrimination: We defend your right to a fair workplace and take on discrimination based on race, gender, age, and more.
  • Harassment: We handle sensitive workplace harassment cases discreetly and protect your dignity and rights.
  • Workplace Retaliation: When employees are punished for lawful actions like reporting misconduct, we provide strong legal support to protect your rights and your career.
  • Wage and Hour: We handle disputes over minimum wage, overtime, and meal and rest break violations, and work to recover the pay you are owed.
  • Family and Medical Leave (FMLA and CFRA): We handle cases where your right to family or medical leave was denied or compromised.
  • Misclassification: We correct misclassifications, whether as an exempt employee or an independent contractor, so you get the benefits and compensation you are due.
employment rights

What are my rights if I get fired in California?

If you are fired in California, you have important rights. Your employer must pay all final wages, including accrued unused vacation, immediately at termination, and waiting-time penalties can apply if they do not. You cannot legally be fired for a discriminatory or retaliatory reason, for example because of your race, gender, age, disability, or pregnancy, or because you reported harassment, filed a workers' comp claim, or took protected leave. You may also have rights to information about continuing your health coverage. If your firing was based on an illegal reason, you may have a wrongful termination claim.

Can I be fired without warning in California?

Yes. Because California is an at-will employment state, an employer can generally fire you at any time, with or without warning and with or without cause. But there are important exceptions. You cannot be fired for an illegal reason. Firing someone based on a protected trait, in retaliation for protected activity, for taking legally protected leave, or in violation of a contract or public policy is unlawful, even without warning. If any of these apply to you, you may have a wrongful termination case. Learn more in our guide to wrongful termination in California.

How much does an employment lawyer cost in California?

For employees, most California employment lawyers, including Peak Legal, work on a contingency or no-upfront-cost basis for many claims. That means no out-of-pocket attorney's fees, with the fee coming from the recovery. In many discrimination and retaliation cases, the law also lets a prevailing employee recover attorney's fees from the employer. Your case evaluation with Peak Legal is free, so you can understand your options at no cost.

Three steps to start your employment case

First, consultation: a free, no-obligation review where our team looks at your situation and advises on the best legal action. Second, representation: once your case is prepared, we represent you in all proceedings, from negotiations to court. Third, investigation: we gather documents, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a strong case.
Frequently Asked Questions

Answers, before you even call

What are the employment laws in California?

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California protects workers through FEHA (anti-discrimination and harassment), wage and hour laws (minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest breaks), anti-retaliation laws, and leave laws like CFRA and FMLA. California is at-will, but employers still cannot act for illegal reasons.

What are my rights if I get fired in California?

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You are owed all final wages, including unused vacation, immediately at termination. You cannot be fired for a discriminatory or retaliatory reason, and you may have rights to continue your health coverage. If you were fired for an illegal reason, you may have a wrongful termination claim.

Can I be fired without warning in California?

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Yes, because California is at-will you can be fired without warning or cause. But you cannot be fired for an illegal reason such as discrimination, retaliation, taking protected leave, or in breach of contract or public policy.

How much does an employment lawyer cost in California?

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Many employment lawyers, including Peak Legal, handle employee claims on contingency or with no upfront cost. In many discrimination and retaliation cases, a prevailing employee can also recover attorney's fees from the employer. Case evaluations are free.

Do I have to pay anything upfront for an employment lawyer at Peak Legal?

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No. Peak Legal offers a free case review and handles qualifying employee claims with no upfront cost. You only pay from a successful recovery.
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What Makes Peak Legal Different

We combine experienced legal work with technology that keeps you informed at every step of your case.

    Experience

    Having represented defendants in the past, Alen understands how insurance companies and defense counsel evaluate and litigate claims, enabling him to develop effective strategies that maximize compensation for plaintiffs.

    AI-Assisted Efficiency

    We use modern tools, including AI, to handle cases faster — without ever cutting corners.

    Direct Attorney Access

    Reach your attorney by phone, email, or instant messaging — real answers from a real advocate.

    Private & Secure

    We protect your information with strict confidentiality and reliable security measures.
Testimonials

What our clients say

"I sincerely thank Attorney Alen for efficiently handling my case in such a short period of time and securing a perfect outcome for me. His professionalism, quick response, and meticulous care have deeply impressed me."

Lucky

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"Attorney Alen Ovsepyan's professionalism and sincerity are commendable, and I am thankful for his exceptional legal service. He is a skilled negotiator and a staunch advocate for his clients."

Nathan W.

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"I had a great experience working with Alen. He was very professional and always communicated in a timely manner. He also offered a free 30-minute consultation to understand my situation, which I really appreciated."

Joyce Wu

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"Excellent service and super helpful! Thanks Alen for helping us solve the issue in less than a month. Highly recommended!"

Queenie

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"I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alen — the most incredible attorney I've ever known. Dealing with my ex-employer was anything but easy, but Alen stood by my side and helped me fight against the unfair treatment."

Cris Chen

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"Very professional, very efficient, very good team, very good."

Aaron An

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