Wrongful & Constructive Termination
When a termination crosses a legal line, the details matter enormously. We know where those lines are and how to navigate what comes next.
Sexual Harassment
California's definition of sexual harassment is broader than most people realize — conduct that feels ambiguous, isolated, or minor may well be actionable under the law. What doesn't feel like "enough" often is. We understand where the law draws those lines and what it takes to act on them.
Harassment & Discrimination
California's FEHA is among the most protective employment statutes in the country — and among the most nuanced. Understanding how it applies to a specific situation requires careful analysis and the kind of experience that comes from years inside these cases.
Whistleblower Retaliation
Not every report triggers protection, and not every adverse action constitutes retaliation. Understanding where the law draws the line, and what it takes to establish a claim, requires careful analysis of facts.
Wage & Hour
California's wage and hour laws are among the most complex in the nation — and the stakes, for individuals and organizations alike, can be significant. Precision in this area isn't optional. It's essential.
Trade Secret Matters
When confidential information, competitive advantage, or professional reputation is on the line, the legal landscape demands someone who understands both the business reality and the law that governs it.
Commission & Compensation Disputes
California requires commission agreements to be in writing — and the specific language used can make or break a case. What a commission plan says, what it omits, and how courts have interpreted similar provisions are what determine the outcome in these disputes.
Pregnancy Discrimination
California's protections for pregnant employees are among the most comprehensive in the country — covering hiring, leave, accommodation, and return to work. The law is specific about what employers are required to do, and when those obligations begin.
Misclassification · Independent Contractor
The distinction between employee and independent contractor carries profound legal consequences — and getting it wrong is costly for everyone.
Business Expense Reimbursement
California law is clear that employees should not bear the cost of doing their jobs. When reimbursement obligations go unmet, the law provides a path to making it right.
Disability & Medical Accommodation
California's disability accommodation requirements are multilayered, procedurally demanding, and strictly enforced. The interactive process the law mandates involves specific steps, documentation, and timing obligations that are not always intuitive — and where compliance gaps arise, the consequences can be significant.
Religious Accommodation
Personal belief and professional life intersect in ways the law is designed to protect. California's accommodation requirements reflect a commitment to dignity in the workplace.
Leaves of Absence
California's leave laws — CFRA, FMLA, PDL, and beyond — are layered and often misunderstood. Whether someone needs to take leave or navigate a request for it, the details can make all the difference.
Meal & Rest Periods
California's meal and rest period requirements are precise — and the penalties for noncompliance are automatic. What qualifies as a compliant break, when it must be provided, and how it must be documented are questions the law answers specifically.
Severance Negotiation
A severance agreement is rarely straightforward. It carries legal weight that extends well beyond the moment of signing. Understanding what's being agreed to — and what isn't — requires someone who has seen what these agreements really mean.
Employee Discipline & Investigations
Workplace investigations shape outcomes — for individuals and organizations alike. How they're handled, documented, and resolved matters in ways that often aren't apparent until much later.
Performance Improvement Plans
A PIP is rarely just about performance. It exists within a legal and human context that deserves careful attention. Understanding what it signals — and how to respond — requires experience with what comes next.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
California's training mandates exist because prevention matters. Effective training goes beyond checking a box — it builds the kind of workplace culture where problems are less likely to arise in the first place.
Arbitration Agreements & Handbooks
These documents define the rules of the relationship before any dispute arises. In California, they are frequently tested — and the difference between enforceable and unenforceable often comes down to precision.
Employment Policies
California's legal landscape shifts constantly — remote work, pay transparency, AI, privacy. Policies that were compliant last year may not be today. Staying current isn't just good practice; it's protection.
Manager & HR Training
Most employment claims trace back to a single conversation, decision, or moment that wasn't handled correctly. Knowing what the law requires — and what good judgment looks like in real situations — changes outcomes.
Growing Companies
Growth is exciting — and legally complex. California imposes obligations from the moment a workforce begins to scale. Building the right foundation early is far easier than correcting it later.
