Employment Lawyer in Glendale California
Glendale workers’ rights advocate for wage disputes, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
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Glendale’s workforce is built on healthcare, retail, entertainment, and professional services. Workers in these industries face workplace issues every day ranging from wage theft to discrimination to wrongful termination. Setareh Law Group has represented California employees for over 25 years, holding employers accountable when they violate the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and California Labor Code.
If your employer has denied you wages, discriminated against you, harassed you, or fired you for an illegal reason, you have legal rights. This page explains how employment law claims work in Glendale, what deadlines apply, and how Setareh Law Group can help you get the justice you deserve.
Key Information for Glendale Workers
Most common employment claims in Glendale: wage and hour violations, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Where cases are filed: Los Angeles County Superior Court – Glendale Courthouse, 600 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206.
Statute of limitations for most claims: Three years from the violation under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
Our Office Location Serving Glendale Remotely
Our law office is located in Beverly Hills at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, approximately 15 miles from Glendale. We represent Glendale workers through phone, video conferencing, and in‑person meetings at the Glendale Courthouse or by appointment. We serve all of California from this single physical office.You can verify his bar status through the State Bar of California attorney search.
Firm Background at a Glance
Setareh Law Group is an employment law firm founded in 1999 by Chaim Shaun Setareh (California Bar Number 204514), headquartered at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, representing employees throughout California in wrongful termination , discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage theft, and whistleblower cases.
Major Employers in Glendale
Employer | Industry | Glendale Area Employees |
Adventist Health Glendale | Healthcare / Hospital | 2,500+ |
Disney | Entertainment / Creative | 3,000+ |
Nestle USA | Corporate / Food | 1,500+ |
City of Glendale | Government / Public Services | 2,000+ |
Glendale Unified School District | Education | 4,000+ |
What Does an Employment Lawyer in Glendale Do?
Many workers in Glendale are unsure when they need an employment lawyer. An employment lawyer helps workers enforce their rights under state and federal law when employers violate workplace protections. The U.S. Department of Labor and the California Labor Commissioner’s Office are government agencies that enforce many of these laws, but a private attorney can help you recover additional damages.
An employment lawyer can help you with
- Unpaid wages including overtime, minimum wage, and missed meal breaks
- Workplace discrimination based on race, age, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims
- Wrongful termination when your firing violated the law
- Retaliation for reporting illegal activity or discrimination
- Family and medical leave violations under CFRA or FMLA
- Whistleblower claims under Labor Code Section 1102.5
If you are experiencing any of these issues, speaking with an employment lawyer in Glendale can help you understand your legal options. For a general overview, visit our employment law services page.
Wage and Hour Violations Are Common in Glendale
California has some of the strongest wage and hour laws in the country. Yet many Glendale employers violate these laws regularly.
Common wage violations include
- Failing to pay overtime for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week
- Denying mandatory meal breaks or rest breaks
- Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits
- Failing to reimburse employees for business expenses under Labor Code Section 2802
- Not providing accurate itemized wage statements under Labor Code Section 226
If your employer has denied you wages or benefits, an employment lawyer in Glendale can help you recover what you are owed. Learn more about unpaid wages lawyer services and wage and hour lawyers .
Workplace Discrimination Is Illegal Under California Law
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) California Government Code § 12940 protects employees from discrimination based on specific characteristics. Unlike federal law, FEHA applies to employers with five or more employees. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency that enforces FEHA.
Your employer cannot discriminate against you because of
- Race, color, or national origin including ancestry and accent
- Religion or religious dress and practices
- Age of 40 and over
- Physical or mental disability
- Gender, gender identity, or gender expression
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
- Marital status
- Military or veteran status
If you have been treated unfairly at work because of any of these characteristics, you should consult an employment lawyer in Glendale as soon as possible. For more detail, see our guides on workplace discrimination and anti-discrimination laws in California .
Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Claims
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited under FEHA. Harassment can occur between supervisors, coworkers, or even non employees such as clients or customers. The EEOC’s harassment guidance provides federal standards that complement California law.
Two types of sexual harassment claims:
- Quid pro quo harassment occurs when an employer demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits like a promotion or to avoid termination.
- Hostile work environment harassment occurs when unwanted conduct based on sex is so severe or pervasive that it creates an abusive work environment.
Harassment does not have to be sexual in nature. It can include offensive comments about someone’s gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. An employment lawyer in Glendale can help you determine whether your situation qualifies as illegal harassment. Visit our workplace sexual harassment lawyers page and read about what is quid pro quo harassment .
Retaliation When Your Employer Punishes You for Speaking Up
Retaliation is the most frequently alleged FEHA violation in California. Under Government Code Section 12940(h), employers cannot punish employees for engaging in protected activity. An experienced Employment Lawyer in Glendale California can help workers take legal action if they face retaliation for asserting their workplace rights.
Protected activities include
- Filing a complaint about discrimination or harassment with HR
- Reporting wage and hour violations to the Labor Commissioner
- Filing a claim with the Civil Rights Department (CRD) or EEOC
- Participating in an employer investigation of discrimination
- Asking for a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious practice
- Refusing to follow an order that would result in breaking the law
If your employer fired you, demoted you, cut your hours, or harassed you after you engaged in any of these activities, you have a retaliation claim. An employment lawyer in Glendale can help you pursue that claim.
Wrongful Termination Know Your Rights
California is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can fire you for a bad reason or no reason at all. However, your employer cannot fire you for an illegal reason. An experienced Employment Lawyer in Glendale California can help determine whether your termination violated California employment laws.
Illegal reasons for termination include
- Firing you because of your race, age, gender, disability, or other protected characteristic
- Firing you in retaliation for reporting discrimination or illegal activity
- Firing you for taking protected medical or family leave
- Firing you for refusing to break the law
- Firing you for filing a workers compensation claim
If you were fired for any of these reasons, you have a wrongful termination claim. An employment lawyer in Glendale can review your situation and advise you on next steps.
Missing Deadlines Will Bar Your Employment Claim
Employment claims have strict time limits, and missing your deadline can permanently prevent you from suing your employer. An experienced Employment Lawyer in Glendale California can help you file your claim on time and protect your workplace rights.
Statute of limitations for common employment claims
- Wrongful termination in violation of public policy: 3 years from termination date under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1
- FEHA discrimination or retaliation: 3 years to file with the CRD under Government Code Section 12960
- Wage and hour claims: 3 years for unpaid wages, 4 years for penalties under the Unfair Competition Law
- Whistleblower retaliation under Labor Code Section 1102.5: 3 years from the adverse action
- Workers compensation retaliation under Labor Code Section 132a: 1 year from the adverse action
Do not wait to contact an employment lawyer in Glendale . Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and deadlines pass quickly. Learn more about the statute of limitations for wrongful termination and California labor code violations .
What Damages Can You Recover in an Employment Claim?
California law allows workers to recover significant damages when employers violate their rights.
Types of compensation available
- Lost wages and benefits known as back pay including all wages, bonuses, and health insurance you would have earned
- Front pay which covers future lost wages if you cannot return to your former job
- Emotional distress damages providing compensation for anxiety, depression, humiliation, and loss of sleep
- Punitive damages which are additional damages to punish your employer for malicious or oppressive conduct
- Attorney fees and court costs which your employer pays if you win
- Waiting time penalties under Labor Code Section 203 for employers who fail to pay final wages on time
Setareh Law Group has recovered over one billion dollars for California workers, including millions in wage theft, discrimination, and wrongful termination cases.
Local Resources for Glendale Workers
Fact 1: The Los Angeles County Superior Court Glendale Courthouse at 600 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206 handles civil employment cases for Glendale residents. The courthouse is located in downtown Glendale near the intersection of Broadway and Louise Street.
Fact 2: The nearest DLSE Labor Commissioner office for Glendale workers is located at 320 W 4th St, Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90013. This office investigates wage claims, retaliation complaints, and issues citations for labor code violations.
Fact 3: Glendale has a diverse workforce with over 45 percent of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Armenian, Spanish, and Korean are the most common languages after English. Employment lawyers serving Glendale should be prepared to work with interpreters or multilingual staff.
Why Choose Setareh Law Group for Your Glendale Employment Case
- Over one billion dollars recovered for California workers since 1999, including wage theft, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination cases.
- 25 plus years of employment law experience. Founding attorney Chaim Shaun Setareh (Bar Number 204514) has practiced exclusively in employment law since 1999.
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and CAALA. These are third party recognitions you can verify.
- Licensed in all California federal courts, including the Central District of California which covers Glendale.
- Spanish speaking staff available. Hablamos Español. We also have access to interpreters for other languages.
- Contingency fee means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win or settle your case. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing for our time.
Areas We Serve Across California
Counties: Los Angeles | Orange County | San Diego | Riverside | San Bernardino | Ventura | Santa Barbara | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Sacramento | San Joaquin | Fresno | Kern | Stanislaus | Tulare | Monterey | Santa Clara | and every other county in the state.
Cities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Irvine, Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Stockton, and hundreds more.
FAQ's: Employment Lawyer in Glendale California
Q: How much does an employment lawyer in Glendale cost?
Setareh Law Group works on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win or settle your case. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing.
Q: How long do I have to file an employment claim in California?
Most claims have a three year deadline. Wage claims have three to four years. Workers compensation retaliation has a one year deadline. Contact a lawyer immediately.
Q: Can I sue my employer if I am still working there?
Yes you can. You do not need to be fired to file a discrimination, harassment, or wage claim. Many employees file claims while still employed.
Q: What evidence do I need before contacting a lawyer?
You do not need evidence before calling. A lawyer can help you identify what evidence exists and how to preserve it. Save emails, texts, pay stubs, and performance reviews.
Q: Can I be fired for filing an employment claim against my employer?
No. Retaliation for filing an employment claim is illegal under multiple California laws. If your employer fires you for filing a claim, you have an additional retaliation claim.
Q: What is the difference between an employment lawyer and a labor lawyer?
Employment lawyers represent individual employees in cases like discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. Labor lawyers typically work with unions on collective bargaining issues.
Q: Is California an at will employment state?
Yes, but at will employment does not allow employers to fire you for illegal reasons such as discrimination, retaliation, or public policy violations. An employment lawyer in Glendale can explain the exceptions.
Q: What does FEHA protect me from?
FEHA protects you from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and other protected characteristics.
Q: How does the CRD process work?
You file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department within three years. The CRD investigates, mediates, or issues a right to sue notice. You then have one year to file a lawsuit.
Q: Does Setareh Law Group meet clients in Glendale?
Yes we do. By phone, video, or in person at the Glendale Courthouse or by appointment. Our office is in Beverly Hills, approximately 15 miles from Glendale.
Take the Next Step
Contact us today:
📞 Phone: 310-888-7771
✉️ Email: help@setarehlaw.com
🌐 Address: 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills CA, 90210
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Consult with a qualified California employment attorney to discuss your individual situation.
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