Undisclosed
Verdict
November 2007 jury verdict against Honda for breach of warranty in Orange County Superior Court.
Wrongful Termination, Discrimination & Wage & Hour Disputes
Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.Free Consultation Call (877) 206-4741
Employment Attorney Serving Santa Monica, California Workers
If you work in Santa Monica and have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, harassed, or denied wages you earned, the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C. is ready to fight for you. We are a plaintiff-only employment law firm — we exclusively represent employees, never employers — and we have spent decades recovering millions of dollars for California workers just like you. Whether you work in the tech industry, entertainment, hospitality, or healthcare, California law provides powerful protections, and we know how to enforce them.
- Contingency fee: no fee unless we win
- Plaintiff-only firm (we represent employees, never employers)
- Free, confidential consultations
- Serving Santa Monica and all of Los Angeles County
Employment Landscape in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is one of the most economically dynamic cities on the West Coast, home to a dense cluster of technology, media, and entertainment companies. Major employers include Snap Inc., Hulu, Lionsgate Entertainment, and Activision Blizzard — all drawing large white-collar workforces in tech, creative, and media roles. Santa Monica College employs hundreds of faculty and staff, and the city’s thriving Third Street Promenade and oceanfront tourism economy supports thousands of hotel, restaurant, and retail workers.
The workforce in Santa Monica is diverse in both industry and income level. High-earning tech and entertainment employees often face issues such as stock option disputes, non-compete enforcement, and retaliation for raising concerns about workplace misconduct. Simultaneously, the large hospitality and service sector sees frequent wage theft, tip misappropriation, meal and rest break violations, and misclassification of workers as independent contractors rather than employees.
Santa Monica has also become a significant hub for the “Silicon Beach” technology corridor, where rapid startup growth, intense workplace cultures, and informal HR practices create fertile ground for discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims. Workers at all levels — from software engineers to baristas — deserve to have their rights enforced under California’s robust employment laws.
Employment Law Services for Santa Monica Workers
We handle the full spectrum of employment disputes under California law. Whether your issue involves discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unpaid wages, our team has the experience and resources to fight for maximum compensation.
Wrongful Termination
Santa Monica’s competitive tech and entertainment job market does not give employers a free pass to fire employees illegally. If you were let go in retaliation for reporting misconduct, taking protected leave, or for a discriminatory reason, we will hold your employer accountable.
Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation is illegal under California’s FEHA. Santa Monica workers in every industry — from Silicon Beach startups to beachfront hotels — are protected and entitled to pursue full compensation.
Sexual Harassment
The entertainment and tech industries that define Santa Monica’s economy have been at the center of high-profile harassment scandals. If you have experienced unwanted advances, hostile work environment harassment, or quid pro quo demands, we will pursue justice on your behalf.
Wage & Hour Violations
From unpaid overtime and missed meal breaks at Santa Monica’s restaurants and hotels, to misclassified gig and tech workers denied benefits, wage theft is alarmingly common. We recover back pay, penalties, and interest for workers who have been shortchanged.
Retaliation
Santa Monica employers who punish workers for filing complaints, reporting safety violations, or exercising their legal rights face serious consequences under California law. We aggressively pursue retaliation claims to make you whole.
FMLA/CFRA Leave Violations
California’s Family Rights Act provides up to 12 weeks of protected leave, and many Santa Monica employers — particularly in fast-paced tech and media environments — unlawfully pressure employees or terminate them for taking it. We fight back.
California Employment Law Protecting Santa Monica Workers
California offers some of the strongest worker protections in the nation. Understanding your rights is the first step toward justice.
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): Prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and more.
- California Labor Code: Guarantees overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and wage payment rights.
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA): Provides up to 12 weeks of protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons.
- Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA): Allows employees to sue on behalf of themselves and coworkers for Labor Code violations.
Employment cases in Santa Monica are handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Santa Monica Courthouse, located at 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Why Santa Monica Workers Choose Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.
No Upfront Costs
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Employee-Focused
We represent employees only. We never defend employers, so our loyalty is always with you.
Free, Confidential Consultation
Call us today to discuss your situation with no obligation. What you share stays private.
Proven Track Record
Decades of experience recovering millions for California workers through settlements and verdicts.
Aggressive Negotiators
We fight hard at the negotiating table and are always prepared to take your case to trial.
Local Knowledge
Our Woodland Hills office is minutes from Santa Monica via the 101 and 405, and we have extensive experience litigating cases at the Santa Monica Courthouse — we know the local courts and what it takes to win.
Our office is located at 21031 Ventura Blvd, Suite 340, Woodland Hills, CA 91364, serving workers throughout Los Angeles County including Santa Monica.
How We Handle Your Employment Case
Understanding the process helps you feel confident moving forward. Here’s how we work:
- Free Consultation: Tell us what happened. We listen carefully and assess whether you have a viable claim — at no cost to you.
- Investigation & Evidence Gathering: We collect documents, identify witnesses, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
- Filing Your Claim: Depending on your case, we may file with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), the EEOC, or directly in court.
- Negotiation: Most cases resolve through settlement. We push for maximum compensation — back pay, emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
- Trial, If Necessary: If the employer won’t offer a fair settlement, we take them to court.
Most cases settle, but we’re always prepared to go to trial. Employers know we’ll fight aggressively for maximum compensation.
Santa Monica Resources & Support
Beyond legal representation, Santa Monica workers have access to numerous community resources:
- Santa Monica Public Library — Community Resource Center: Provides referrals to legal aid, social services, and workforce programs for residents navigating employment challenges.
- Worksource California — West Los Angeles: Offers career counseling, job placement, and re-employment services for workers in the Santa Monica and Westside areas.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA): Provides free civil legal services to low-income workers in the Los Angeles area, including employment law assistance.
- California Labor Commissioner’s Office: File wage claims or report labor violations at the Brea, El Monte, or downtown LA offices.
- California Civil Rights Department (CRD): File discrimination or harassment complaints online or at 800-884-1684.
Santa Monica’s large population of gig economy workers, including app-based delivery and rideshare drivers, should be aware that California’s AB 5 law establishes strict rules around worker classification — misclassification as an independent contractor may entitle you to significant back pay and benefits.
Employment Attorney for Santa Monica & Nearby Communities
While we focus on Santa Monica, we serve workers throughout Los Angeles County and California. If you live or work in a neighboring area, we can help:
Culver City West Hollywood Beverly Hills Los Angeles (Venice/Westside) Malibu Brentwood
While our office is in Woodland Hills, we handle cases throughout California. If you’re outside the Los Angeles area, contact us to discuss remote representation.
Ready to Fight for Your Rights?
You’ve been wronged. Let’s make it right. Call for your free consultation today.
Schedule Free Consultation Call (877) 206-4741
Or visit us: 21031 Ventura Blvd, Suite 340, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law in Santa Monica
What should I do immediately after being wrongfully terminated in Santa Monica?
First, document everything — write down the circumstances of your termination, save any emails, performance reviews, or messages that are relevant, and note the names of witnesses. Do not sign any severance agreement without speaking to an employment attorney first, as these documents typically waive your right to sue. Under California law, employees are protected from termination based on discrimination, retaliation, or for exercising legal rights. Contact the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C. for a free consultation as soon as possible, because strict deadlines — called statutes of limitations — apply to employment claims.
I work for a tech company in Santa Monica and was denied overtime. Do I have a claim?
Quite possibly, yes. Many tech employers in Santa Monica misclassify employees as “exempt” salaried workers to avoid paying overtime, when in fact their job duties do not meet California’s strict exemption requirements. California requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, and double time for hours over 12 in a day. The fact that you receive a salary does not automatically exempt you. An employment attorney can review your job duties and pay structure to determine whether you have been unlawfully denied overtime wages.
Can I sue my employer in Santa Monica for sexual harassment even if the harasser was a coworker, not a manager?
Yes. Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers are liable for sexual harassment by coworkers if they knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take prompt corrective action. Employers in Santa Monica — including entertainment companies, hotels, and restaurants — have a legal duty to maintain a harassment-free workplace. If you reported the harassment through HR or to a supervisor and nothing was done, or if you were punished for reporting it, you may have strong claims for both harassment and retaliation. Call us for a confidential consultation.
What is the deadline to file an employment discrimination claim in California?
In California, you generally have three years from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) — formerly known as the DFEH. This deadline was extended from one year to three years under SB 807, which took effect in 2022. If you also want to pursue a federal EEOC claim, that deadline is 300 days. Because these timelines can be complex and certain claims have shorter deadlines, it is critical that you speak with a Santa Monica employment attorney as soon as possible after experiencing discrimination or harassment.
I was fired after filing a workers’ compensation claim in Santa Monica. Is that legal?
No — terminating an employee for filing or even intending to file a workers’ compensation claim is illegal retaliation under California Labor Code Section 132a. This protection applies to all employees in Santa Monica, whether you work in hospitality, tech, entertainment, or any other industry. If the timing of your termination closely follows your injury report or workers’ comp filing, that is often strong evidence of illegal retaliation. You may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and additional penalties. Contact our firm immediately to protect your rights.
