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Navigating employment law can be complex, especially when local, state, and federal protections overlap. A knowledgeable employment lawyer can help individuals understand their rights and determine whether legal action may be appropriate. These attorneys advocate for fairness in the workplace and support those who have experienced unlawful treatment by their employers.
Colby Law Firm focuses on employment law and is licensed to represent workers across California, including those based in San Diego. Our team handles a wide range of workplace disputes, including wage violations, wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation.
If you’re a San Diego employee facing a workplace issue and believe your rights may have been violated, you can submit your information for a free case evaluation. Our team will review your submission to determine whether your matter falls within the scope of what we handle. There is no cost or obligation, and all submissions are kept confidential.
When Might a San Diego Employee Need an Employment Lawyer?
If you’re a San Diego employee facing a serious workplace issue, it may be time to seek legal guidance. Colby Law Firm is focused on employment law and is licensed to represent workers throughout California. We review matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage disputes, and more.
You can submit your information for a free case evaluation to help our team determine whether your matter falls within our practice focus. There is no cost or obligation, and all submissions are kept confidential. To begin, call us at 818-431-2570 or contact us online.
Below are some of the most common employment issues we review for California workers, including those in San Diego.
Harassment
If you’re experiencing unwanted behavior at work—such as offensive jokes, threats, or physical aggression—based on race, gender, religion, or another protected characteristic, you may have a claim under California or federal law. A San Diego-based worker may benefit from consulting an employment attorney to evaluate whether their rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) or Title VII have been violated.
Discrimination
If you believe you were unfairly denied a job, promotion, or equal pay because of a protected characteristic such as race, gender, disability, or age, you may be experiencing employment discrimination. Federal and California laws prohibit this conduct, and San Diego’s Fair Chance Ordinance provides additional protections for job applicants with criminal histories. An employment attorney can help assess whether legal action may be appropriate based on your situation.
Wrongful Termination & Retaliation
If you were terminated after reporting misconduct, refusing to engage in illegal activity, or for a discriminatory reason, your dismissal may have violated California law. State laws protect whistleblowers and employees who speak up about unsafe or unlawful working conditions. An employment attorney can help you evaluate whether your termination may qualify as wrongful under the law.
Overtime & Unpaid Wages
If you believe your employer has not paid you fairly for your time—including overtime, minimum wage, or other earned compensation—you may be entitled to recover unpaid wages. San Diego workers are protected by both California wage laws and local regulations such as the Minimum Wage Ordinance and the Living Wage Ordinance. An attorney can help determine whether wage violations have occurred based on your specific circumstances.
Breaks & Expenses
Under California labor law, employers must provide required rest and meal breaks, reimburse work-related expenses, and provide access to paid sick leave. San Diego’s Earned Sick Leave Ordinance also strengthens these protections. If you believe your employer has denied these benefits, you may benefit from speaking with an attorney to explore your rights and options.
Independent Contractors
If you’re working as an independent contractor in San Diego and believe your classification may be incorrect, you could be missing out on wages, benefits, and legal protections afforded to employees. California’s AB5 law outlines strict criteria for contractor classification. An employment attorney can help review your work relationship and determine whether you may qualify as an employee under state law.
Whether or not you need an attorney depends on your specific situation. If you’re experiencing any of the issues described above, you may benefit from speaking with an employment attorney to better understand your rights and explore whether legal action may be appropriate.
Types of Employment Cases We Handle
Colby Law Firm focuses on a broad range of employment law matters affecting workers in San Diego and across California. Our attorneys are licensed to represent clients in cases involving local, state, and federal employment laws. San Diego employees may be protected by a combination of these legal frameworks, depending on the nature of the workplace issue.
Workplace Harassment
Harassment in the workplace may involve misconduct that creates a hostile or intimidating environment — whether through direct or indirect behavior. This includes unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. If you believe you’ve been sexually harassed, bullied, threatened, or targeted in a way that affects your ability to work safely, you may have a workplace harassment claim under California or federal law. A San Diego employment attorney can help assess whether your experience may qualify for legal protection.
Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination may involve adverse treatment based on a protected characteristic such as race, religion, gender identity, age, disability, or military status. This can take many forms, including denial of a promotion, termination, demotion, or retaliation for filing a complaint. California and federal laws prohibit this type of conduct, and San Diego also provides protections for job applicants through local ordinances. If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly in the workplace, an attorney can help review your situation.
Wrongful Termination & Retaliation
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for a reason that violates state or federal law, such as discrimination, whistleblowing, or taking protected leave. Retaliation can include any adverse employment action in response to a protected activity, like reporting unsafe conditions or harassment. If you believe your termination or workplace treatment may have been unlawful, legal remedies may be available.
Overtime and Unpaid Wages
California law requires that non-exempt employees be compensated fairly for all hours worked, including overtime. If you believe your employer failed to pay you for time worked or withheld wages or overtime, you may be entitled to recover unpaid compensation. An employment attorney can help determine whether a wage violation has occurred under San Diego’s local wage ordinances and state law.
Breaks and Expenses
Employees in California are entitled to rest and meal breaks depending on shift length and must be reimbursed for reasonable business-related expenses. If you believe you’ve been denied legally required breaks or were not reimbursed for qualifying expenses, you may benefit from a legal review of your situation.
Independent Contractors
Some employers misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid providing overtime, benefits, or legal protections. California’s AB5 law sets strict standards for worker classification. If you’re based in San Diego and believe you’ve been misclassified, an employment attorney can help you assess whether you may be entitled to employee protections under the law.
Employment law issues can be difficult to navigate—both legally and emotionally. They often involve high stakes for your career, income, and wellbeing. If you’re facing a workplace dispute, you may benefit from speaking with an employment attorney to better understand your rights under California law.
Colby Law Firm offers free case evaluations to help determine whether your matter falls within our practice focus. There is no cost or obligation. To begin the process, complete the contact form below, call us at (818) 253-1599, or email [email protected]. A member of our team will review your submission and follow up if we believe we may be able to assist.
Why San Diego Workers Turn to Colby Law Firm for Employment Law Guidance
Colby Law Firm is focused on helping employees across California, including those based in San Diego, understand and assert their rights in the workplace. Here’s what sets our firm apart:
Free Case Evaluations: We offer free case evaluations to individuals who believe they may have experienced a workplace violation. Submissions are reviewed by our team to determine whether the matter falls within our practice focus. There is no cost or obligation, and it’s completely confidential.
Extensive Employment Law Experience: Our attorneys have years of experience handling a broad range of employment law matters under California and federal law.
Dual Perspective: Founding attorney Aaron Colby spent 15 years representing employers before founding Colby Law. That experience gives us insight into how companies approach employment disputes and how to respond strategically.
Resolution Experience Across Contexts: Our firm has resolved employment matters through various legal forums, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Every case is approached with careful strategy and attention to detail.
Personalized Approach: We understand that no two employment situations are exactly alike. If we take on your case, we tailor our approach to your specific needs and goals.
Client-Focused Advocacy: If you’re navigating a complex employment issue, our goal is to provide clear communication, grounded legal insight, and a practical strategy to move your case forward.
Contact Our San Diego Employment Law Firm Today
If you believe your workplace rights may have been violated, Colby Law Firm offers free case evaluations to help determine whether your matter falls within our practice focus. There is no cost or obligation.
To begin the evaluation process, complete our contact form, call us at (818) 253-1599, or email us at [email protected]. A member of our team will review your submission and follow up if it’s a matter we may be able to assist with.
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