Discrimination Attorney in Encino

Verified Discrimination Results for San Fernando Valley Employees

When an employer treats you differently because of your race, gender, age, disability, or another protected characteristic, California law gives you the right to fight back. At Williams And Seemen, A Professional Law Corporation, we represent employees in Encino and throughout the San Fernando Valley who have faced discrimination at work. Our verified results include a $1.5 million settlement offer in a gender discrimination case and a $450,000 result for a government employee in a race discrimination matter. Those outcomes reflect our preparation, our willingness to litigate, and our commitment to taking each case seriously from the first consultation forward.

Workplace discrimination isn’t always obvious. It can develop through a pattern of overlooked promotions, pretextual discipline, or comments that accumulate over time into something unmistakably hostile. Attorneys Antoine D. Williams and Bart A. Seemen have handled thousands of cases across employment law and personal injury, and they understand how to identify discrimination even when employers work to obscure it. We offer complimentary consultations and serve clients in Spanish, Farsi, Tagalog, Korean, and Armenian, reflecting the diversity of the Encino workforce we serve.

If you believe your employer has discriminated against you, don’t wait. California law sets strict filing deadlines that can permanently bar your claim. Call our discrimination attorneys in Encino today at (818) 536-7776 for a free consultation.

Why Encino Employees Choose Williams And Seemen, A Professional Law Corporation

Employers facing discrimination claims don’t come unprepared. They have HR departments and legal teams working to document their version of events and minimize their exposure. We prepare each case with the same thoroughness, building the factual and legal foundation that supports a strong negotiating position and, when necessary, a compelling case at trial in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Williams and Seemen have earned Rising Stars and Super Lawyers designations and hold memberships in the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Clients across the San Fernando Valley have described our representation as thorough and effective at protecting their interests. Because we handle discrimination cases from initial filing through trial, employers and their insurers know we aren’t looking for a quick exit. We’re prepared to litigate, and that changes the conversation at the negotiating table.

Types of Workplace Discrimination We Handle in Encino

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and federal law prohibit discrimination based on a wide range of protected characteristics. We represent employees facing discrimination across all major categories.

Protected categories under California and federal law include:

• Race and Color: Adverse treatment based on race, color, or characteristics associated with a person’s racial background
• Gender and Sex: Discrimination based on sex, gender identity, or gender expression, including LGBTQ+ employees
• Age: Protections under FEHA and the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) apply to workers 40 and older
• Disability: Includes failure to provide reasonable accommodations and failure to engage in the required interactive process with the employee
• Pregnancy: Adverse treatment related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
• Religion: Includes failure to reasonably accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs or practices
• National Origin and Ancestry: Discrimination based on where an employee or their family is from

Discrimination doesn’t have to be explicit to be unlawful. Courts look at patterns of conduct, how similarly situated employees were treated, and whether the employer’s stated reasons for an adverse action hold up to scrutiny. FEHA applies to employers with five or more employees for discrimination claims, while its anti-harassment provisions cover employers with even one employee.

Steps to Take If You’re Facing Workplace Discrimination

How you respond early in a discrimination situation can significantly affect your options later. Document incidents as they occur, including dates, times, witnesses, and exactly what was said or done. Preserve copies of performance reviews, emails, pay records, and any workplace communications relevant to your treatment. California law also protects you from retaliation for asserting your rights under FEHA, so you may be able to continue working while your claim moves forward.

Before filing a civil lawsuit under FEHA, most California employees must first file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), formerly known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The CRD then issues a right-to-sue notice, which opens the door to litigation. Filing with the CRD in California also cross-files with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), covering both state and federal avenues simultaneously. We guide clients through every step, from the initial complaint filing to negotiation and, when necessary, litigation.

The most important step is speaking with an attorney before time runs out. Filing deadlines are strict, and missing them can permanently eliminate your right to pursue a claim no matter how strong your facts are. Contact Williams And Seemen, A Professional Law Corporation at (818) 536-7776 for a complimentary consultation. We can review your situation, explain your options, and develop a strategy built around your goals.