Discrimination Attorney in Los Angeles & Orange County
Protecting California Workers from Unfair and Illegal Treatment in the Workplace
At Hershey Law, our employment discrimination attorneys serve clients across Los Angeles and Orange County who have faced unfair treatment based on legally protected traits. Whether you’re a job applicant, current employee, or have recently been terminated, our team is here to advocate for your rights and help you pursue justice.
With California leading the nation in protecting workers from discrimination, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) offers broader safeguards that cover more types of discrimination, applying to nearly all employers, and providing stronger legal remedies for those affected. These protections ensure that employees in California have the right to work free from bias, unequal treatment, and retaliation.
We handle cases involving discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, and other protected categories under California law. If you’ve experienced workplace bias, retaliation, or preferential treatment rooted in discrimination, we can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation and resolution you deserve.
Understanding Employment Discrimination and the Law
Discrimination laws exist to protect employees from biased decisions during hiring, promotion, compensation, job assignments, and termination. These laws are rooted in landmark legislation such as:
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Equal Pay Act of 1963
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
These federal laws protect employees working for private employers, employment agencies, and the federal government from being treated unfairly based on protected class status.
Additionally, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) extends protections and covers virtually all employees in the state.
What Makes California Discrimination Law Unique?
California’s employment discrimination laws offer broader and more employee-friendly protections than federal statutes. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), workers benefit from expanded coverage, stronger legal remedies, and more time to take action. Here’s how California law stands apart:
Applies to smaller employers: FEHA applies to businesses with 5 or more employees, unlike federal laws which typically require 15 or more.
Broader list of protected characteristics: In addition to race, gender, and disability, California protects employees based on military or veteran status, political affiliation, gender identity and expression, marital status, medical condition, and more.
Extended time to file: Employees have three years to file a complaint under California law—much longer than federal timelines.
No damages cap: Unlike federal claims, California law places no limit on the amount of compensatory or punitive damages you can recover in a successful case.
These additional protections are powerful tools, but only if you know your rights and take action. That’s where we come in.
What Does a Discrimination Lawyer Do?
A California discrimination lawyer plays a critical role in advocating for employees who face unlawful treatment in the workplace. Their job includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing company policies, and identifying violations of state and federal laws. A skilled discrimination attorney will also evaluate the strength of your case, represent you in negotiations with your employer, and, if necessary, litigate your claim in court.
Many employees hesitate to contact a discrimination lawyer because they are unsure if their experiences qualify as illegal conduct. However, you don’t need to be certain—your attorney can help you determine whether your rights have been violated and what options are available.
Types of Discrimination We Handle
1. Race Discrimination
Discrimination based on a person's race, color, or national origin is prohibited by Title VII and California law. If you experience racially motivated bias, hostile work environment, or unequal opportunities, contact a discrimination lawyer immediately.
2. Gender & Sex Discrimination
Whether you're a female employee facing a wage gap or male employees experiencing biased treatment, unequal pay for substantially equal work at the same establishment is illegal. We also handle cases involving gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination.
3. Age Discrimination
Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, workers over 40 cannot be passed over for promotions, laid off, or terminated based solely on age.
4. Disability Discrimination
Employers must offer reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If your job performance suffers due to undue hardship or failure to accommodate, our employment discrimination lawyers can help.
5. Religious & National Origin Discrimination
Employees are entitled to observe religious practices unless doing so causes an undue hardship on the employer. Discrimination based on national origin or accent also violates federal law.
6. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can include unwanted advances, comments, or any behavior that creates a hostile work environment. Whether the harassment is verbal, physical, or psychological, our law firm provides legal representation to protect your rights.
Signs of Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination often manifests in subtle ways. You may have a case if you experience:
Disparate treatment compared to other employees
Repeated denial of raises or promotions
Derogatory comments or slurs
Exclusion from projects or job assignments
Retaliation after making a formal complaint
If you believe you’re being treated unfairly, seek legal counsel from a discrimination attorney to assess whether your rights have been violated under federal and state laws.
Real-Life Examples of Workplace Discrimination
To understand how discrimination manifests, consider these examples:
An older employee is consistently passed over for promotions in favor of significantly younger, less-experienced colleagues.
A pregnant employee is reassigned to a lower-paying position only after disclosing her pregnancy.
A gay employee hears repeated offensive jokes from management, and HR fails to address the behavior after multiple complaints.
A qualified applicant with a disability is denied a position because the employer assumes they can’t perform the job.
In addition to financial and emotional consequences, workplace discrimination can severely damage an individual’s long-term career path. Being denied promotions, excluded from projects, or unjustly terminated can impact future job prospects and diminish confidence in professional settings.
Retaliation Is Also Illegal
Many workers fear that if they report discrimination, they’ll face retaliation—being demoted, fired, or treated unfairly for speaking up. If you’ve experienced any adverse employment action after filing a complaint or participating in a workplace investigation, a discrimination lawyer can help you file a retaliation claim in addition to your original complaint.
It’s important to understand that retaliation for reporting discrimination is itself unlawful. If you were demoted, isolated, or penalized after making a complaint or assisting in a workplace investigation, you may have a strong claim for retaliation. These protections are grounded in both California’s FEHA statute and federal anti-retaliation provisions found in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Your Rights Don’t End With Termination
Even if you’ve already been terminated, it’s not too late to assert your rights. Former employees can still file claims for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation—especially if the termination itself was part of the discriminatory conduct. A discrimination attorney can help you gather post-employment evidence, file timely claims, and pursue compensation for lost income and emotional distress.
How to File an Employment Discrimination Claim
If you believe you’ve experienced workplace discrimination in California, there is a specific process you must follow to preserve your rights and pursue a legal claim. Here’s how it works under California law:
Document the Incidents – Keep detailed notes about each instance of discrimination. Include dates, locations, names of individuals involved, and any emails, texts, or internal reports. Documentation strengthens your case.
Report Internally – Before pursuing legal action, it’s usually recommended to report the issue through your company’s HR or formal complaint channels. This shows that you gave your employer an opportunity to address the issue.
Contact an Attorney – Before resigning or confronting leadership, speak with a qualified California discrimination attorney. They can help you avoid missteps and guide you toward the most effective legal strategy.
File with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) – In California, most discrimination claims must first be filed with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), formerly known as the DFEH. This is the state agency responsible for enforcing the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). You may also choose to file with the federal EEOC, but CRD typically offers broader protections and remedies.
Take Advantage of the Extended Timeline – California gives you three years from the last act of discrimination to file with the CRD. This is longer than federal law, which typically allows only 180 or 300 days.
Obtain a Right to Sue Notice – Before filing a lawsuit in court, you must obtain a Right to Sue letter from the CRD. Your attorney can request this on your behalf immediately or allow the agency to investigate first. Once received, you’ll have one year to file your claim in civil court. The Right to Sue letter enables you to bypass the full investigation process and proceed straight to court while the EEOC generally requires a full investigation before issuing a Right to Sue, which can delay your ability to file a lawsuit.
Legal Remedies for Victims of Discrimination
Filing a civil lawsuit against your employer can lead to significant compensation, including:
Lost wages and benefits
Compensation for emotional distress
Punitive damages in severe cases
Reinstatement or promotion
Coverage of litigation costs and attorney fees
The goal of the law is to restore your position and ensure others don’t face similar harm.
Why Hire Hershey Law for Your Discrimination Case?
Hershey Law is a respected law firm with a deep focus on employment law. We understand the emotional and financial toll that employment discrimination imposes on individuals and their families.
We offer:
Free consultation and case evaluation
Extensive experience with discrimination in the workplace
Aggressive advocacy against large private employers
Familiarity with Title VII, the ADA, the Equal Pay Act, and other laws
Strong results in both negotiation and litigation
Our team handles everything from the initial complaint to trial, ensuring that your legal protections are enforced every step of the way.
Empowering Equality: Insights into Workplace Discrimination
Our core values are at the heart of what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a discrimination claim?
Under federal law, most claims must be filed with the EEOC within 180 to 300 days, while California allows up to three years to file with the CRD.
Can I sue my employer directly?
Often, you must first file a complaint with a government agency before pursuing a civil lawsuit. Your discrimination attorney will guide you through this process.
Do I need evidence to prove discrimination?
While direct evidence helps, circumstantial evidence—such as patterns of unfair treatment based on a protected characteristic—can also support a strong case.
Are all employees protected?
Federal laws protect employees in most workplaces, including many employees of private employers and government agencies. State laws often expand these protections to virtually all employees.
Contact a Discrimination Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, disability, or other protected categories, it’s time to take action.
Call Hershey Law today to schedule your initial consultation. Our employment discrimination lawyers are here to advocate for you and help you reclaim your peace of mind.
Let us help you assert your rights, protect your future, and seek the compensation you deserve.
