Costa Mesa Wrongful Termination Attorney

If you believe your employment was unfairly terminated, you can turn to a Costa Mesa wrongful termination attorney for help. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you by evaluating your case, discussing your options, and helping you obtain just compensation if your employer has violated California and federal labor laws.

California Employment Counsel, APC, is a dedicated employment law firm serving the Orange County community. We are deeply acquainted with federal and state employment laws, and we work hard to help you hold your employer accountable and obtain the financial compensation you deserve. We are here to assist you in all aspects of your wrongful termination case. Hablamos español.

Whether you are an employee serving Costa Mesa’s nearly 110,000 residents or visitors within the city’s thriving tourism sector or are employed within the city’s large financial, research, or medical sectors, you are entitled to protections.

Working with an employment attorney from California Employment Counsel, APC, offers you numerous advantages:

• Local Knowledge. Our law firm is based in Costa Mesa, and we have an intimate understanding of the city’s multiple sectors. We are also knowledgeable about systemic issues that may arise within certain types of businesses in the region.
• Years of Practice. You can trust that your case is being managed by an attorney with a track record of success securing high settlements and court wins for decades for clients who have faced wrongful termination.
• Focus on Employment Law. We are deeply familiar with all aspects of employment laws in California and at the federal level. Working with us means having the backing of an attorney who focuses exclusively on employment law disputes in your area.
• Detailed Evaluation. You are not just a number. You receive the dedicated attention you deserve when you hire an attorney at California Employment Counsel, APC. We evaluate all aspects of your case and provide tailored legal solutions that are suitable for your particular situation.
• Aggressive Representation. Taking on an employer and their defense attorney or legal team, especially if they are a large business, requires tact and strength. Our attorneys are aggressive at the negotiation table and in court. We pursue an employer to the fullest extent of the law.

California Employment Counsel, APC, can be your trusted partner in a wrongful termination claim against a Costa Mesa employer. Allow one of our seasoned attorneys to advocate for your rights.

California is an at-will employment state. This means that an employer or an employee can terminate their employment relationship without prior notice. It also allows employers to change the terms of employment, including wages paid, as long as it does not violate minimum wage laws.

Despite the at-will framework, there are prominent legal protections that make it unlawful for employers to terminate a worker under certain conditions. Firing a worker for any of the following reasons can constitute a violation of state and federal law, and thus, an employee may have actionable cause to pursue a wrongful termination claim:

Firing an employee based on their race, disability status, sex, or age, as well as numerous other protected characteristics, is unlawful in California per California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Employees who file a workplace complaint, utilize their employee benefits, request an accommodation as a victim of domestic abuse, or even disclose their wages are protected from retaliatory actions by their employers, including termination.

Terminating an employee for refusing to engage in unlawful acts at the request of the employer is a potential cause for action. Examples can include firing a worker who does not participate in workplace harassment or letting a worker go because they did not falsify a financial report. Whistleblowers are also protected from retaliation.

In certain cases, an employer may enter into a contractual agreement with an employee, which may supersede at-will employment rules. If an employee is fired in violation of contract conditions, they may be able to prove wrongful termination. A plaintiff may file a claim for breach of contract with a county court.

Dealing with a termination at a time when the unemployment rate in Orange County is 3.7% (April 2025), slightly below the national unemployment rate of 4.2%, is tough.

If you suspect that you may be terminated in the future based on your employer’s unlawful workplace action, or if you have been recently terminated and need to determine what to do next, here are some things you should consider:

• Do Not Sign a Severance Package. Your employer may offer a severance package if you are terminated. It is important that you not sign this until you can determine if you have a valid wrongful termination case, since doing so may release an employer from all claims.
• Gather Evidence. You should compile evidence, including emails and text conversations, showing your employer has encouraged or has allowed others to engage in unlawful workplace behavior against you. If you have already been terminated, communicate with former trusted colleagues who may have witnessed the unlawful behavior.
• Contact an Employment Attorney. Wrongful termination cases are extremely difficult to prove. Providing a knowledgeable attorney with details of your termination, as well as examples of any notable behavior that potentially points to wrongful termination, can help them counsel you on your next steps.

Having an attorney by your side not only ensures that you have an actionable claim but can also help increase your chances of success in a wrongful termination claim.

When your job security is threatened, you need an aggressive attorney who can fight against unfair employers on your behalf. A skilled wrongful termination lawyer at California Employment Counsel, APC, understands what it takes to succeed in a wrongful termination case. We help you gather robust evidence and handle negotiations with the other side with a firm hand. Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your case.