You Can Fight Back And Win!

We Focus On Employment Law So You Don’t Have To

At The Rutten Law Firm, APC, we represent employees when their state and federal legal rights in the workplace have been violated. This includes matters under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Labor Code, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — Equal Employment Opportunity.

The employees we represent have often suffered large damages, including lost past and future wages and benefits, and emotional distress. We are experts at using the law to seek punitive damages, which are sometimes available to punish a corporation for willfully violating the rights of its employees. We are experienced lawyers and often square off against the largest corporations in the world.

California Lawyers For Workplace Discrimination, Wrongful Termination, Retaliation And Harassment

With over 25 years’ experience, our attorneys provide legal services for a wide variety of issues and disputes you may have against your employer or former employer, including:

Wrongful termination

Although most employment in California is at-will, employers still cannot fire or terminate employees for unlawful reasons. Unlawful reasons include physical or mental disability, racial, religious, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation discrimination, retaliation for sexual harassment, reports of health and safety complaints or illegal employer actions, whistleblower claims, unionizing and others. Some employees may have oral, written or implied contracts for employment, and employers must honor these contracts.

Sexual harassment

When advances, comments, quid pro quo advances or requests for sexual acts occur in the workplace, the harassed employee should file a sexual harassment claim against his or her employer. Sexual harassment may be based on gender, gender orientation, transgender status or sexual orientation. It is important to report incidents of harassment to management and also speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you did not report the harassment, we understand that there are often valid reasons such as fear, intimidation and the need for continued employment.

We also represent clients in cases where hostile work environments have been created by employers.

Discrimination

Cases of discrimination happen often and for many different reasons. The law protects employees from unlawful discrimination in the workplace. We help employees who have been subjected to all types of discrimination, including:

Whistleblower/Qui Tam claims

Employers cannot fire an employee for reporting or threatening to report the company for illegal acts such as Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA” or “Cal/OSHA”), environmental law or tax law violations. Our firm represents clients in whistleblower and qui tam claims in California. We specialize in cases against nonprofit companies guilty of financial misconduct, conflicts of interest and self-dealing.

We also represent clients in cases where they have been retaliated against by their employer for engaging in protected conduct.

Family and Medical Leave Act violations

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, is a federal law that allows employees to take time off of work to care for a sick relative, spouse or child. Employees who are prevented from taking FMLA or not given their job back after an FMLA leave may have a claim against their employer. The California Family Rights Act, or CFRA, provides similar protections to employees.

Wage and hour/overtime claims

When companies fail to pay their employees all wages that they are owed, or fail to pay those employees in a timely manner, they are liable for wage, hour and overtime claims. Companies may also misclassify employees as “exempt” to deprive workers of minimum wages or overtime pay.

We also represent clients in cases where meal and rest breaks are not adequately provided.

Severance agreements

Our employment law attorneys provide negotiation and litigation services with respect to severance agreements. While most employment is at-will, employment contracts — including oral, written or implied employment contracts — may entitle an employee to severance benefits, and breaches of those contracts may require litigation to resolve.

Contact The Rutten Law Firm, APC, In Woodland Hills, California

Speak with a lawyer about your employment law case by contacting us at The Rutten Law Firm, APC. Get the personalized legal service that your case deserves from an attorney who’s experienced and dedicated to your well-being.

Contact us online or call us at 818-308-5945 to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation with one of our dedicated California discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and sexual harassment lawyers. From our office in Woodland Hills, we represent clients throughout Woodland Hills, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties, the Bay Area, and the entire state of California.