San Francisco Employment Lawyer — Termination, Severance, Discrimination, etc.
You probably never thought you’d need a San Francisco employment lawyer. It surely wasn’t in your career plan. But when your legal rights are at risk, it always helps to have someone fighting in your corner.
Whatever happened at your job and brought you here, you deserve answers. From wrongful terminations to wage disputes, an experienced employment attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation under California and federal law.
Stoll & Haynes, established in 1994, understands how overwhelming some work problems are, but we’re here to support you and seek justice. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.
San Francisco Employment Lawyer Practice Areas
This page is about our employment law practice areas as a whole. To learn more about how we can help your specific case type, check out the pages below:
Why Choose Stoll & Haynes?
Finding the right employment lawyer in San Francisco can make all the difference to your case. Here’s what sets Stoll & Haynes apart from other local employment attorneys near you:
- 30 years of experience in employment law and personal injury
- Proven results for clients, including multi-million dollar victories
- In-depth knowledge of California courts, laws, and legal processes
- Free and confidential consultations at our downtown Montgomery Street office
Our team can help you pursue fair and full compensation under the law. You should get what you are entitled to.
We recognize that employees in the San Francisco and the wider Bay Area face unique issues and working conditions. Examples include:
- Tech workers in Silicon Valley and SOMA dealing with unpaid overtime, layoffs, and retaliation (see our Silicon Valley Employment Lawyer page)
- Startup workers being misclassified as contractors and handling equity disputes
- Gig workers being denied benefits under federal and California law
- Nurses in our public and private hospitals experiencing staff shortages, missed breaks, and scheduling abuses
- Restaurant/hospitality workers managing tipping violations and wage theft
We’ve handled employment-related concerns in San Francisco since 1994.
Meet Our San Francisco Employment Lawyers
Find out more about the Bay Area employment attorneys at Stoll & Haynes:
Albert G. Stoll, Jr.
Al has 30+ years of experience and has handled over 40 jury trials, earning him a strong reputation in the San Francisco Bay Area legal community. He holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes the highest standards of ethics and legal ability. Al is an accomplished employment attorney with an Avvo rating of 9.3/10.
Michael Seville
Michael is a top San Francisco employment lawyer with experience in discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and harassment, as well as business and contract disputes. He has served as lead counsel in federal and state litigation, handled high-profile arbitrations, and represented individuals and groups of employees.
Employment Law Success Stories from Stoll & Haynes
Located on Montgomery Street in the Financial District, our employment law firm has helped clients across San Francisco and the Bay Area secure compensation after problems in the workplace. Here are some of our biggest client victories:
Retaliation victory for San Fran hospital employees
Amount awarded: $3 million+
When anesthesiologists in a San Francisco public hospital raised health and safety concerns, they were retaliated against. This case ended in a settlement of more than $3 million.
Retaliation settlement against the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD)
Amount awarded: $1.49 million
After filing a lawsuit, a female battalion chief at the SFFD experienced retaliation in the workplace, leading to a $1.49 million settlement.
Gender discrimination/retaliation in a San Fran office
Amount awarded: $1 million+
High-level female professionals were denied promotions because of gender discrimination and retaliation. Stoll & Haynes took action, resulting in more than $1 million in compensation.
Note: Previous case outcomes don’t guarantee future results. Your case may be different.
Read more of our employment law victories.
Do YOU Have an Employment Law Case in California?
You may have a valid employment law claim if:
- You’re owed unpaid wages or overtime
- You were treated differently because of your race, gender, etc.
- You were fired after reporting something illegal to HR
- Your employer violated your leave or medical rights
- You experienced sexual harassment
- You were retaliated against after speaking up about something
- You were pressured to sign a severance agreement by your company
- You were discriminated against for being pregnant
If any of these apply, speak with a San Francisco employment lawyer as soon as you can to understand your legal options. Whether you have a case depends on the specific circumstances of what happened.
Many people in California don’t realize they may have an employment law claim until they speak with an attorney.
What Is Employment Law?
Employment law protects you from unfair and unlawful treatment in the workplace. It lays down rules for how your employer must treat you and what happens if they violate your rights.
These rules ensure:
- Fair pay
- Safe working conditions
- Equal opportunities for all employees
- Freedom from harassment and retaliation
Employment law covers everything from how you’re paid to how you’re disciplined or terminated. However, it isn’t always simple.
To win an employment law claim, you need to prove:
- Your employer broke the law
- Your employer’s actions harmed or injured you
- You suffered damages as a result
Something else to consider: Deadlines for filing an employment law claim with the courts or a government agency. Wait too long, and you may lose your right to compensation.
Compensation You Can Recover in Employment Law
It depends on the situation, but the following types of compensation may be recoverable:
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits (health insurance, paid leave, retirement contributions, etc.)
- Loss of future earnings
- Back pay
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (in rare cases when an employer is particularly reckless or malicious)
How Much Is My Employment Law Case Worth in California?
Successful employment law claims in California may result in compensation that ranges from thousands to millions of dollars. The value of a wrongful termination or sexual harassment case ultimately depends on the nature of the violation, the harm suffered, the amount of evidence collected, and other factors. There’s no one-size-fits-all settlement.
The following ranges are based on publicly reported settlements and what employment lawyers often see. The outcome of your case may be different.
Wage-and-hour violations
Examples
Unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, missed meal breaks
Estimated settlement value
A few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars
Workplace discrimination
Examples
Unfair treatment because of race, color, religion, etc.
Estimated settlement value
Tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars
Wrongful termination
Examples
Being fired for an unlawful reason, such as discrimination or retaliation
Estimated settlement value
Tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars
Sexual harassment
Examples
Unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate comments
Estimated settlement value
Tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars
Contact an employment attorney in San Francisco such as Stoll & Haynes to estimate what your claim may be worth.
California Employment Laws You Need To Know About
Want to file a claim against your employer? The good news is that California has some of the strongest employee protection laws in the U.S.
Legislation that might apply to your case includes:
- The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, gender, disability, age, and other protected characteristics
- The California Labor Code, which governs wage and hour laws such as overtime, meal breaks, rest breaks, and minimum wage.
On the federal level, laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provide further protections.
Stoll & Haynes is proud to represent and support clients across San Fran and the Bay Area, including but not limited to:
- San Francisco proper
- Oakland
- San Jose
- Palo Alto
- Berkeley
- Daly City
- Fremont
- Silicon Valley/Cerebral Valley
Employment Law Cases We Handle in San Francisco
Our skilled attorney team represents clients facing a wide range of issues in the workplace. Here are some of the most common employment law cases we handle:
Wrongful termination in California
Federal and California law protect people from being terminated for certain reasons, such as discrimination, retaliation, and taking protected leave. Working with a San Francisco wrongful termination attorney can help you understand your rights and what to do next.
Severance agreement negotiation
Leaving a job doesn’t mean leaving money and legal protections on the table. A severance agreement attorney can negotiate a severance package on your behalf, ensuring you get everything you deserve.
Workplace discrimination
Workplace discrimination based on race, gender, age, and other protected characteristics is illegal under federal and California law (the Fair Employment and Housing Act). You have the right to be heard and seek justice.
Workplace sexual harassment
Nobody should have to put up with unwanted sexual advances or comments at work. Speak up and get legal assistance from a sexual harassment attorney now.
Wage disputes
If you’ve earned it, you’re owed it. Don’t miss out on unpaid or miscalculated wages.
How a San Francisco Employment Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with problems in the workplace is stressful. However, you don’t have to suffer alone. An employment attorney in San Francisco like Stoll & Haynes can:
- Review your situation and explain your legal rights without the jargon
- Gather evidence to support a legal claim
- Negotiate with your employer
- Represent you in court if it comes to that
- Help you fight for compensation and/or legal protections
What To Do If You Have a Problem at Work
The steps you take next can strengthen your employment law claim:
1. Document everything
Keep a record of any evidence that relates to what happened to you at work. This might include emails, text messages, incident reports, and performance reviews. The more information you have, the stronger your claim might be.
2. Report the problem to HR
Depending on your circumstances, consider submitting a written report to HR. Keep copies of any communication you get back.
3. Contact a San Francisco employment lawyer
No matter what happens in your job, an attorney with experience in California employment law can help protect your rights. Stoll & Haynes offers free consultations, so you get a legal review at no expense.
4. Report the problem to the government
- File a complaint about unpaid wages and benefits with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office
- File a complaint about discrimination, harassment, or retaliation with the California Civil Rights Department
- File a complaint about discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
An employment law attorney can do this for you and help you avoid mistakes.
5. Be careful what you say
Don’t share information about your workplace dispute online or with anyone you don’t trust.
What Happens When You Contact a San Francisco Employment Lawyer?
Here’s what you can typically expect:
- Consultation: An attorney will listen to what happened to you at work and help you understand your rights under federal and California law.
- Investigation: If things move forward, your attorney might review company policies, gather evidence, and examine documents like severance agreements.
- Negotiation: Your attorney may negotiate with your employer about issues like severance, unpaid wages, and compensation. This might happen before or alongside a formal claim.
- Claim filing: Depending on the issue, your attorney can file a formal claim with the appropriate government agency on your behalf. They may continue to negotiate with your employer at this stage.
- Litigation: Most employment law issues are resolved before they end up in court. But if a resolution can’t be reached, your claim may move forward as a lawsuit. If this happens, your attorney will support you every step of the way.
Want to file an employment law claim in San Francisco? Call Stoll & Haynes at 415-576-1500.
Why You Should Act Fast If You Have a Workplace Issue
If something happens at work, there are strict timelines you need to follow.
Government agency deadlines
Government agencies have their own deadlines for filing a complaint:
California Labor Commissioner’s Office
(Unpaid wages and benefits)
- 1-4 years, depending on the incident (for example, 3 years for overtime violations)
California Civil Rights Department
(Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation)
- 3 years from the date of the incident
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(Discrimination)
- 300 calendar days from the date the discrimination took place (deadline for California)
Court deadlines
There are also filing deadlines when a workplace issue moves to court. For example, when the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues a Notice of Right to Sue, a letter that says you are allowed to file a lawsuit, you have 90 days to take your case to federal court.
Always consult an employment lawyer in San Francisco so you don’t miss any deadlines.
San Francisco Employment Lawyer FAQs
Stoll & Haynes offers a free consultation, so you can have an initial conversation about your situation and learn next steps without any upfront cost.
Yes, employment attorneys in San Francisco can also help with workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other issues. You can also get legal help if you’re involved in a layoff or workforce reduction.
Not necessarily. Many issues in the workplace are resolved outside of a courtroom through negotiation, mediation, or settlement.
It depends on the issue, whether a government agency is involved, and other factors. It’s a good idea to talk to an employment attorney so you don’t miss any deadlines.
Yes. You can file a claim against a government employer, depending on the circumstances. However, it’s important to understand your options before taking action.
Read more San Francisco employment lawyer FAQs.
Contact a San Francisco Employment Lawyer
If something doesn’t feel right in the workplace, don’t wait to get answers. A skilled employment attorney in the Bay Area can help you move forward.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.