Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer
We Represent California Employees Whose Rights Have Been Violated
Losing your job is hard enough. Losing it because your employer violated the law is unacceptable.
At The Salem Law Firm, our wrongful termination lawyers help Los Angeles workers stand up to corporations, executives, and HR departments that think they can illegally fire employees without consequences. We don’t settle for apologies. We build airtight cases that expose the truth and recover full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Whether you were let go after reporting misconduct, taking protected leave, or standing up for your rights, our trial lawyers know how to prove retaliation, discrimination, and bad-faith terminations under California’s employment laws.
Call (310) 828-7882 for a free consultation. No upfront fees. No excuses. Just results.
Why Hire Our Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyers?
When an employer decides to fire you, they hold the HR files, the emails, and the narrative. Our job is to turn that story around. The Salem Law Firm’s wrongful termination attorneys uncover what really happened: the messages HR tried to bury, the sudden “performance issues” that never existed, and the timing that proves retaliation.
Our legal team handles every aspect of your case, including the investigation, negotiation, and litigation, so you can focus on rebuilding your future. From Fortune 500 companies to local startups, we hold employers accountable when they violate the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Labor Code, or public-policy protections.
When you hire our firm, we:
- Preserve electronic evidence before it disappears
- Subpoena internal HR and email communications
- Coordinate with expert witnesses to analyze employer motive
- Quantify your financial losses and emotional distress
- Prepare your claim for trial from day one
Trial is intimidating to employers who break the rules. We use that to your advantage.
What Sets Our Firm Apart
Many employment law firms look for quick settlements and high turnover. We’re not one of them.
At The Salem Law Firm, every wrongful termination case is built with the same precision we bring to court. Our attorneys combine more than two decades of trial experience with cutting-edge digital-evidence analysis, reviewing workspace message threads, Teams chats, and HR audit trails to uncover retaliation others miss.
Our reputation for success is leverage. Los Angeles employers know when we’re on a case, it’s not going away quietly.
In one recent trial involving wrongful termination and other employee rights violations, attorney Edmond E. Salem secured a $4.7 million federal jury verdict, including $3 million in punitive damages, for a client who faced years of threats and retaliation from his CEO. The unanimous verdict sent a clear message: when employers break the law, we make them answer for it.
What Qualifies as Wrongful Termination in California?
A wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of state or federal law, a valid employment contract, or public policy. Common unlawful reasons include discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower punishment.
California is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can fire workers for almost any reason; but not an illegal one.
Examples of illegal reasons for termination include:
Discrimination
You cannot be fired because of your race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, pregnancy, or national origin under the FEHA and Title VII. We prove discrimination through patterns, comparators, and internal communications.
Retaliation
Employers often disguise retaliation as “restructuring” or “performance issues.” If you were terminated after reporting harassment, filing a wage complaint, or participating in an investigation, that’s probably retaliation, and it’s illegal.
Whistleblower Protection
California protects workers who report illegal conduct, safety violations, or fraud. Terminating an employee for speaking up can lead to significant punitive damages.
Medical Leave & Accommodation
You can’t be fired for taking protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), or for requesting reasonable accommodation for a disability.
Breach of Contract or Public Policy
If your employment agreement or implied contract limited your employer’s ability to fire you, or if you were terminated for refusing to engage in illegal activity, you may have a valid claim.
Industries We Represent in Los Angeles
Our wrongful termination lawyers represent employees across Los Angeles’ diverse industries, from film studios in Hollywood to tech startups in Silicon Beach, hospital systems, restaurants, and logistics hubs near LAX.
We represent these and other types of workers in California:
- Entertainment professionals blacklisted after speaking out about harassment
- Healthcare workers terminated for reporting unsafe staffing
- Tech employees fired after taking medical leave
- Hospitality and service workers punished for wage complaints
Common Slip and Fall InjurCompensation and Remedies Available In Wrongful Termination Cases in Californiaies
Wrongful termination compensation isn’t just about lost paychecks. It’s about restoring what your employer took from you: your income, your dignity, and your peace of mind.
You may be entitled to recover:
- Back Pay & Front Pay: Wages and benefits you lost and future earnings you would have made.
- Reinstatement: Return to your job if appropriate.
- Emotional Distress: For the humiliation, anxiety, and stress caused by the firing.
- Punitive Damages: When an employer’s actions were malicious or oppressive.
- Attorney’s Fees and Court Costs: So justice doesn’t depend on your wallet.
Our Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys quantify every dollar and every hardship your job loss caused you, ensuring your recovery reflects the full weight of your loss.
Steps to Take After Getting Fired Unlawfully
The moments after termination are crucial. Protect your rights before the company builds its defense.
- Don’t sign anything under pressure. Review severance agreements or NDAs with an attorney first.
- Save evidence. Emails, texts, memos, and performance reviews can prove motive.
- Document the timeline. Write down when you reported issues and when termination occurred.
- Stay off social media. Employers monitor posts to undermine claims.
- Contact a lawyer immediately. Deadlines move fast; most claims must be filed with the California Civil Rights Department (CR D) or EEOC within one year.
How We Prove Wrongful Termination in Los Angeles
Every successful case is built on evidence and timing. Our attorneys combine legal strategy with digital forensics to reconstruct what happened behind closed doors.
We analyze:
- HR records and termination letters
- Internal messages revealing discriminatory or retaliatory intent
- Inconsistent explanations for firing
- Performance histories that contradict “cause”
- Comparator data showing unequal treatment
By piecing together every clue, we expose employers who thought they could get away with violating employee rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a wrongful termination claim in California?
Generally, you have one year from the date of termination to file with the California Civil Rights Department, or up to three years for certain whistleblower or contract claims. Contact a lawyer immediately to preserve your rights.
Can I be fired for taking medical or family leave?
No. Termination for taking FMLA or CFRA leave is illegal retaliation. You may recover lost wages and emotional distress damages.
What if my employer lies about the reason for firing me?
Pretext is common. We prove the real motive through timing, documents, and witness testimony that reveal inconsistencies in the employer’s explanation.
Do I have to pay legal fees upfront?
No. The Salem Law Firm handles wrongful termination cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Call Our Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyers Today
At The Salem Law Firm, we don’t measure success by headlines or quick payouts. We measure it by justice restored and futures rebuilt.
If your employer violated your rights when they fired you, we’ll make sure they answer for it.
Call (310) 828-7882 today or reach out online for a free consultation.
We proudly represent employees across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, Pasadena, Long Beach, and throughout Southern California.