Wrongful Termination Attorneys Near Santa Ana

Representing Employees in Wrongful Termination Claims Since 1995

California is an at-will employment state, which generally means an employer can fire an employee for any reason or no stated reason. That rule has important limits. An employer can’t fire someone because of a protected characteristic, protected activity, or another unlawful reason. A potential unlawful termination claim depends on why the employee was fired and whether the decision was connected to a protected right, complaint, status, or conduct.

Relevant employment evidence can include termination communications, performance records, workplace messages, complaints, accommodation requests, witness information, and the timing between protected conduct and termination. Since 1995, we’ve represented employees in employment law violation claims and can review the circumstances of a firing with you.

Contact The Gould Law Firm today to schedule an appointment for a free consultation with our wrongful termination attorneys serving Orange County, or call (714) 592-4936.

More Than 40 Years of Combined Employment Law Experience

At The Gould Law Firm, we’ve frequently represented union employees, government workers for school districts, cities, the State of California, and the federal government, and Indian casino employees.

Our practice includes wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, disability discrimination, and wage and overtime claims.

What Is an Illegal Reason to Fire Someone?

Many wrongful termination claims arise from discrimination or retaliation. Firing someone for taking protected leave, requesting a reasonable accommodation, or another reason that violates employment law or public policy may also be unlawful.

Retaliation can occur when an employee engages in protected activity, meaning conduct the law protects, and then faces an adverse employment action such as discharge, demotion, suspension, reduced hours, or another materially harmful decision.

Whistleblower protection may also apply when an employee reports a reasonably suspected legal violation, whether to a government or law-enforcement agency, an internal supervisor, or another person with authority to investigate, or refuses to participate in unlawful conduct. California Labor Code section 1102.5 addresses certain whistleblower situations. Discrimination-related claims can involve race, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, and other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Examples of illegal firings can appear as the following:

• Terminating an employee who reported sexual harassment
• Laying off only employees in a particular protected class (age, sex, gender identity, disability status, race, religion, etc.)
• Terminating an employee who requests reasonable accommodations for their disability
• Firing an employee deemed “too old” for their job
• Terminating an employee in retaliation for demanding compensation for unpaid overtime hours
• Terminating an employee after they raise concerns about a possible misclassification

The timing of a termination can matter, but timing alone doesn’t establish liability. The full employment history, the employer’s stated reason, and supporting evidence all matter when evaluating whether a firing may have violated California employment law. Agency and court deadlines can also vary by claim, employer, and facts, so prompt attorney review is important.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

When you contact us, you speak directly with an attorney rather than being limited to an initial discussion with a law clerk or paralegal. We accept individual matters and complex multi-party cases. After evaluating a claim and preparing or filing a lawsuit, we provide regular case updates.

We’re admitted to practice in all four Federal District Courts in California. Our attorneys belong to the California Employment Lawyers Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates, and we received Super Lawyers recognition from 2013 through 2018.

If you believe you were unlawfully fired, reach out to our wrongful termination attorneys serving the Santa Ana area. In most cases, we work on a contingency basis, so no upfront payment is required to begin representation. Contact The Gould Law Firm online or call (714) 592-4936 for a free consultation.