At Elite Employment Law, we exclusively represent employees and employee rights. We are passionate about protecting the rights of Orange County workers and achieving justice for those who have been wronged in the workplace.
We understand that your job is more than just a paycheck, it is your livelihood. It is how you provide for your family and your future. All employees deserve to be treated with dignity and respect for their contributions. Employers are legally required to treat workers fairly and provide them with a safe, harassment-free environment to do their jobs.
Whether your workplace dispute involves wrongful termination, harassment, unpaid wages, retaliation, age discrimination, or any other job-related wrongdoing, the employment lawyers at Elite Employment Law knows how to successfully fight for your rights and achieve justice for you.
If you are an employee in Orange County and have a workplace dispute, we want to help. Contact our employment law firm today to schedule a free confidential consultation. We are experienced in attorney-client relationships and will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you determine your best next step.
Why Choose Our Orange County Employment Law Attorneys?
We have over a decade of experience successfully handling all types of employment disputes. We are known for our ability to often negotiate a fair settlement without ever needing to file suit. Eighty percent of our cases are successfully resolved without needing to file suit.
However, if necessary, our employment lawyers will aggressively litigate for our clients’ rights and to bring them justice.
We have seen and handled nearly every type of employment dispute you can imagine. If you think you have been wronged at your job, we want to help. No matter what type of wrong you are experiencing, give us a call.
Wrongful Termination
Losing your job unfairly can be extremely stressful and upsetting. The experienced Orange County employment law attorneys at Elite Employment Law are here to help you navigate this challenging road. We will evaluate your claims, advise you of your rights and your options, and help you determine your next steps.
While employers have the right to terminate employees for valid reasons and often for no reason at all, there are many situations in which they cannot legally fire someone. For example, you cannot be fired based on your race, disability status, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected category.
Whether due to discrimination, retaliation, or violation of public policy, our team of employment attorneys work tirelessly to hold employers accountable for unjust dismissals.
In wrongful termination cases, we look for evidence of:
- Discrimination based on protected characteristics
- Retaliation for reporting illegal activities or exercising legal rights
- Violation of employment contracts or company policies
- Termination in violation of public policy (e.g., refusing to commit illegal acts)
It is not always easy to tell whether an employer has wrongfully terminated an employee. Each case is unique and you should consult with an experienced employment law attorney to determine if you have a valid claim. However, some potential signs of wrongful termination may include:
- Your termination closely followed a complaint about discrimination or harassment
- You were fired shortly after reporting illegal activities in your workplace
- Your employer gave inconsistent or changing reasons for your termination
- You were terminated while on or shortly after returning from protected leave
- Your employer violated their own termination procedures
- You were replaced by someone significantly younger (if you’re over 40)
- Your termination came after requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability
At Elite Employment Law, we fight to secure not just compensation for lost wages, but also for emotional distress and, in some cases, punitive damages to deter future misconduct.
Breach of Contract and Constructive Discharge
Some employees have contracts that specify the terms of their employment, including conditions for termination. If an employer violates these terms, it may constitute wrongful termination. Contracts can be written, oral, or implied based on employer policies or practices.
Constructive discharge occurs when an employer makes working conditions so intolerable that an employee feels forced to resign. This can be considered wrongful termination if the conditions were created because of discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.
Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination has no place in our world and certainly not in our workplaces. We represent clients who have faced unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Our goal is to create equitable work environments for all.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination based on numerous protected characteristics, including:
- Race and color
- National origin and ancestry
- Age (40 and over)
- Religion
- Disability (mental and physical)
- Sex and gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity and gender expression
- Medical condition
- Genetic information
- Marital status
- Military and veteran status
Our approach to discrimination cases involves:
- A thorough investigation of workplace practices and policies
- Gathering evidence of disparate treatment or impact
- In-depth analysis of statistical data to reveal patterns of discrimination
- Advocating for policy changes to prevent future discrimination
We have successfully handled discrimination cases involving hiring practices, promotions, pay disparities, and hostile work environments.
Sexual Harassment
No one should endure unwelcome sexual advances or a hostile work environment. We provide compassionate support and aggressive representation for victims of sexual harassment, working to bring harassers to justice and change workplace cultures.
Our sexual harassment cases often involve:
- Quid pro quo harassment (where job benefits are contingent on sexual favors)
- Hostile work environment claims
- Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment
- Failure of employers to properly investigate or address harassment complaints
We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and work to protect our client’s privacy while vigorously pursuing justice.
Unpaid Overtime and Wages
You deserve to be paid fairly for every hour worked. Even if you are in a job you love, you deserve to be fairly compensated. When your employer fails to properly pay you for your time and work, they are breaking the law.
Our team has extensive experience in wage and hour laws, fighting to recover unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, and other forms of wage theft.
Common wage and hour violations we address include:
- Misclassification of employees as exempt or independent contractors
- Failure to pay for all hours worked, including preparation time and required activities
- Illegal deductions from paychecks
- Failure to provide required meal and rest breaks
- Tip theft or improper tip-pooling arrangements
- Requests for “off the clock” work
- Failure to reimburse for qualified expenses
We have recovered millions for our clients. Wage theft is more common than most people realize and the impact it can have on employees is significant. If your employer refuses to pay you the wages you are owed, we want to help.
Retaliation
Speaking up against workplace wrongdoing takes courage. We protect whistleblowers and employees who face retaliation for reporting illegal activities, unsafe conditions, or discriminatory practices.
It’s illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for:
- Reporting workplace harassment or discrimination
- Whistleblowing (reporting illegal activities or violations of public policy)
- Taking protected leave (e.g., Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act)
- Participating in union activities or protected concerted activities
- Refusing to engage in illegal activities
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Reporting safety violations
- Discussing wages or working conditions with coworkers
Retaliation can take many forms, including:
- Demotion or reduction in hours
- Negative performance reviews
- Transfer to less desirable positions or locations
- Creation of a hostile work environment
- Constructive discharge (forcing an employee to quit)
Elite Employment Law has a strong track record of successfully representing employees from wrongdoings in the workplace, including retaliation claims. We are committed to securing the compensation and justice you deserve.
Leaves of Absence
Navigating medical leave, family leave, or other protected time off can be challenging. We ensure that your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) are respected.
We assist clients with:
- Understanding their rights to various types of leave
- Securing reasonable accommodations for disabilities
- Addressing discrimination or retaliation related to leave requests
- Ensuring proper job reinstatement after leave
- Combating interference with leave rights
Our experience in this area helps employees balance their work responsibilities with personal and family needs without fear of losing their jobs.
Whistleblower
A whistleblower is a person, typically an employee or contractor, who speaks up and exposes misconduct within an organization. This misconduct can take various forms, including:
- Violations of laws or regulations
- Breaches of company policies
- Fraudulent activities
- Corruption
- Health and safety violations
- Environmental hazards
- Discrimination or harassment
- Any other form of wrongdoing that goes against public interest or ethical standards
Exposing corporate wrongdoing is essential for maintaining integrity in the workplace. We provide protection and representation for employees who come forward to report illegal activities within their organizations.
Our whistleblower practice covers all types of employee reporting, including claims that fall under:
- Qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act violations
- Dodd-Frank Act protections
- California Labor Code Section 1102.5 claims
Whistleblowers serve as vital watchdogs, often bringing to light information that can have significant implications for:
- Public safety
- Consumer protection
- Environmental preservation
- Financial integrity
- Government accountability
Their courageous actions can help prevent harm, save resources, and uphold the principles of transparency and fairness that are fundamental to a good workplace.
In many cases, whistleblowers have been instrumental in uncovering large-scale fraud, dangerous product defects, and severe environmental violations that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
We work to ensure that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation and, where applicable, receive appropriate rewards for their courage in reporting fraud or misconduct.
Our Orange County Employment Law Lawyers Are Ready to Represent You
When you choose Elite Employment Law, you are not just getting legal representation. You are gaining a dedicated ally in your fight for workplace justice. We only represent employees and we do that very well, as evidenced by our impressive success rate surpassing 97 percent.
Personalized Strategy
We understand that every case is unique. Our team takes the time to thoroughly assess your situation, considering not just the legal aspects but also your personal goals and circumstances.
We tailor our approach to align with your best interests, ensuring that the resolution we pursue is the right one for you.
Our personalized approach involves:
- In-depth initial consultations to understand your story
- Comprehensive case evaluations to identify all potential legal claims
- Clear communication about your options and potential outcomes
- Collaborative decision-making throughout the legal process
We believe that informed clients are empowered clients, and we strive to keep you involved and updated at every step of your case.
Tireless Pursuit of Justice
While we strive to reach fair settlements, we never shy away from taking cases to trial when necessary. Our experienced litigators have the resources and experience to present compelling cases in court, maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.
Our litigation approach includes:
- Thorough case preparation and evidence gathering
- Aggressive discovery tactics to uncover crucial information
- Strategic use of expert witnesses and testimony
- Compelling courtroom presentation and argumentation
We are known for our tenacity in the courtroom, and opposing counsel knows that we will go the distance for our clients. Opposing attorneys frequently refer their own friends and family members to us for workplace disputes because they know we get results.
Contingency Fee Structure
We believe that financial constraints should never prevent someone from seeking justice. That is why we take all our cases on a contingency fee basis. You will never pay us fees upfront or out of pocket. We only get paid when we win your case.
This fee structure allows us to:
- Provide access to justice for all, regardless of financial means
- Align our interests with yours – we succeed when you succeed
- Take on complex, high-stakes cases against well-funded opponents
Our commitment to contingency fees reflects our belief in leveling the playing field between employees and employers.
Contact The Orange County Employment Lawyers at Elite Employment Law Today
Your path to workplace fairness begins with a single step. Contact Elite Employment Law today to schedule your free consultation. Let us put our experience, deep understanding of employment law, passion, and resources to work for you.
During your consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story
- Assess the legal merits of your case
- Explain your rights and options clearly
- Outline potential strategies for moving forward
- Answer all your questions about the legal process
Remember, when you stand up for your rights, you are not just fighting for yourself. You are contributing to a fairer, more equitable workplace for all. Together, we can make a difference. Do not let workplace injustice go unchallenged. Reach out to Elite Employment Law today and take the first step towards reclaiming your rights and dignity in the workplace.
At Elite Employment Law, we ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected. Your future and the future of fair employment practices in Orange County are worth fighting for. Schedule your confidential free consultation today via the contact form below.