Introduction
Wrongful termination is one of the most serious workplace violations an employee can face in California. If you lost your job for an illegal reason, you may have the right to fight back and recover compensation.
California is an “at-will” employment state, which means employers can generally let workers go for any reason — or no reason at all. But that rule has important limits. Employers cannot fire you for a discriminatory reason, for reporting illegal activity, or for exercising a legal right. When they do, it is called wrongful termination.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias has spent over 30 years standing up for California employees who were wrongfully fired. With more than $100 million recovered for clients and a 99% client success rate, the firm knows how to hold employers accountable. If you believe your termination was illegal, this guide will help you understand your rights before you file a claim.
About Beverly Hills, CA | Los Angeles County, CA | Orange County, CA | Riverside County, CA | San Bernardino, CA
Southern California is home to millions of workers across a wide range of industries. From entertainment and healthcare in Los Angeles County to logistics and manufacturing in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, employees face wrongful termination in every sector.
Beverly Hills, CA
Beverly Hills sits in the heart of Los Angeles County and is home to a large workforce in retail, hospitality, entertainment, and professional services. Employees here often work for high-profile employers who may believe they are above the law — but California’s employment protections apply to every worker, regardless of their employer’s status.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias is based in Beverly Hills and serves workers throughout the city and surrounding areas. Our location puts us close to clients who need fast, effective legal help after a wrongful firing.
Los Angeles County, CA
Los Angeles County is one of the largest employment markets in the United States, with over 4.5 million jobs across dozens of industries. According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the county’s workforce spans entertainment, healthcare, technology, education, and transportation.
With so many employers and employees, workplace disputes — including wrongful termination — are common. Workers in cities like Long Beach, Pasadena, Burbank, and Glendale all have the same legal protections under California law. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias regularly represents clients from across Los Angeles County.
Orange County, CA
Orange County is known for its thriving business community, with major employers in finance, healthcare, and technology. Cities like Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana have large employee populations who may not fully understand their rights when they are fired.
California’s wrongful termination laws protect Orange County workers the same way they protect employees anywhere else in the state. If you were fired illegally in Orange County, you have options — and the Law Offices of Mann & Elias can help you explore them.
Riverside County, CA
Riverside County has seen rapid population and job growth in recent years, with expanding industries in logistics, warehousing, construction, and healthcare. Many workers in cities like Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Corona are employed by large companies that have HR departments and legal teams ready to defend wrongful termination claims.
That is why having experienced legal representation matters. Our attorneys understand the tactics employers use and how to counter them effectively on behalf of employees in Riverside County.
San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County is one of the largest counties by area in the United States and supports a significant workforce in warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, and public services. Workers in cities like San Bernardino, Ontario, and Fontana are entitled to the full protections of California employment law.
If you were fired from a job in San Bernardino County and believe it was for an illegal reason, you do not have to face this fight alone. Our firm serves workers throughout the Inland Empire and is ready to evaluate your case.
Services Available in Beverly Hills, CA | Los Angeles County, CA | Orange County, CA | Riverside County, CA | San Bernardino, CA
Wrongful termination claims in California can take many different forms. Understanding what type of illegal firing occurred is the first step toward building a strong case. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias offers comprehensive legal services for employees throughout Southern California who have been wrongfully terminated.
What Counts as Wrongful Termination in California?
California law prohibits employers from firing workers for reasons that violate public policy, employment contracts, or anti-discrimination statutes. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces many of these protections.
Common illegal reasons for termination include:
- Discrimination — Being fired because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristic
- Retaliation — Being fired after you reported illegal activity, filed a complaint, or exercised a legal right
- Whistleblower retaliation — Being fired for reporting violations to a government agency or internally within your company
- Violation of an employment contract — Being fired in a way that breaks the terms of a written or implied contract
- FMLA/CFRA retaliation — Being fired for taking protected medical or family leave
Disability Discrimination and Wrongful Termination
Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees and cannot fire a worker simply because of a disability. If your employer failed to accommodate your condition and then terminated you, that may be wrongful termination combined with disability discrimination.
Founding partner Imad Elias recently served as co-counsel in a disability discrimination and failure-to-accommodate case that resulted in a $1.1 million jury verdict. That result reflects the firm’s commitment to fighting hard for employees whose rights were violated. Learn more about workplace rights and harassment protections on our blog.
Age Discrimination and Wrongful Termination
California’s FEHA protects workers 40 and older from age-based discrimination. If you were pushed out of your job because of your age — through layoffs that targeted older workers, pressure to retire, or sudden negative performance reviews — you may have a wrongful termination and age discrimination claim.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also enforces federal age discrimination protections under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Our attorneys can help you file claims at both the state and federal level.
Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
California Labor Code Section 1102.5 is one of the strongest whistleblower protection laws in the country. It prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report illegal activity to a supervisor, law enforcement, or a government agency. If you were fired after blowing the whistle, you may be entitled to lost wages, emotional distress damages, and more.
Our attorneys have deep experience handling whistleblower retaliation cases across all of Southern California’s major employment markets.
How to File a Wrongful Termination Claim in California
Before you can file a lawsuit for wrongful termination based on discrimination or harassment, you must first file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the EEOC. This step is called exhausting your administrative remedies, and it is required under California law.
The filing deadlines are strict. In California, you generally have three years from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the CRD. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to sue. That is why it is critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a wrongful termination.
You can also read our article on what it means to be an Equal Opportunity Employer for more background on your rights in the workplace.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If your wrongful termination claim is successful, you may be entitled to recover a range of damages. These can include back pay for wages you lost after being fired, front pay for future lost earnings, compensation for emotional distress, and in some cases punitive damages if your employer’s conduct was especially egregious.
Attorney fees may also be recoverable under California law in certain employment cases. An experienced wrongful termination attorney can evaluate your situation and help you understand what you may be entitled to recover.
Why Choose Law Offices of Mann & Elias
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias brings over 30 years of combined legal experience to every wrongful termination case. Founded in 1998 by Scott Mann and Imad Elias — both Pepperdine University School of Law graduates — the firm has built a reputation for client-first advocacy and hard-fought results.
Founding partner Imad Elias leads the firm’s Employment Law practice and has tried more than 35 jury trials over his career. Since 2015, he has been selected every year to the California Super Lawyers list in Employment Law — an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in the state. He also holds an AVVO Rating of 10.0 Superb, the highest possible rating.
Scott Mann brings equally impressive credentials. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an elite credential that requires at least 50 civil jury trials for admission. He is also a Pepperdine Law Review member (top 10%) and winner of the school’s prestigious Vincent Dalsimer Moot Court tournament.
Together, the firm has recovered more than $100 million for clients and maintains a 99% client success rate. The firm has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and has strong ties to the CAALA (Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles) and CELA (California Employment Lawyers Association).
The firm serves Spanish-speaking clients and communities throughout Southern California, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice. If you are looking for employment attorneys who will truly fight for you, the Law Offices of Mann & Elias is ready to stand in your corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wrongful termination in California?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires a worker for an illegal reason. This includes firing someone because of their race, gender, disability, age, religion, or national origin. It also includes firing someone for reporting illegal activity, taking protected leave, or exercising a legal right.
Is California an at-will employment state?
Yes. California is an at-will employment state, which means employers can generally fire workers without giving a reason. However, at-will employment does not allow employers to fire workers for discriminatory, retaliatory, or otherwise illegal reasons.
How long do I have to file a wrongful termination claim in California?
In most cases involving discrimination or harassment, you must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years of the wrongful act. Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney quickly to protect your rights.
Do I need to file with the CRD before suing my employer?
Yes. For most discrimination-based wrongful termination claims, California law requires you to first file a complaint with the CRD or the EEOC and receive a Right to Sue notice before you can file a lawsuit in court. An attorney can guide you through this process.
What damages can I recover in a wrongful termination case?
You may be able to recover back pay, front pay, lost benefits, compensation for emotional distress, and in some cases punitive damages. Attorney fees may also be recoverable. The exact damages depend on the facts of your case.
Can I be fired for reporting my employer to a government agency?
No. California Labor Code Section 1102.5 protects employees who report illegal activity to a government agency or internally within their company. If you were fired for whistleblowing, you may have a strong retaliation claim.
Does the Law Offices of Mann & Elias serve Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. The firm proudly serves Spanish-speaking communities throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Language should never be a barrier to getting the legal help you deserve.
Contact Law Offices of Mann & Elias
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated in California, do not wait to get legal help. The deadlines for filing employment claims are strict, and acting quickly gives your attorney the best chance to build a strong case on your behalf.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias serves workers in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. We offer free case reviews and work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win for you.
Call us today or visit mannelias.com to schedule your free consultation. Our team is ready to listen, evaluate your situation, and fight for the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias is licensed to practice law in the State of California. The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. If you have specific legal questions about your situation, please contact our office directly to speak with a licensed California attorney.
