Newport Beach Wrongful Termination Attorney

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Newport Beach Wrongful Termination Attorney

Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Newport Beach, CA

Every employee has a variety of rights that are granted to them through state and federal laws. Within these rights are protections from unfair behavior in the workplace, such as wrongful termination. However, there are some cases where an employer fires an employee under illegal circumstances. If this has happened to you, a Newport Beach wrongful termination attorney can help.

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California is an “at-will” employment state, meaning that employees can accept and leave jobs when they wish, and employers can accept and terminate employees when they wish. However, these terminations must be done for professional reasons, not personal reasons related to legally protected criteria. If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated in Newport Beach, California, our team at California Employment Counsel, APC, is ready to help.

California Employment Counsel, APC: Employment Law Attorneys

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we are committed to protecting the rights of California workers. With decades of experience shared between our attorneys, we understand just how complex employment law issues like wrongful termination can be.

That is why we offer skilled legal representation for all California employees who may be victims of unfair treatment in the workplace. If you were fired for reasons that you believe were unlawful, do not wait to seek legal representation. At California Employment Counsel, APC, we can put your interests first and work to hold your employer accountable.

Other Types of Newport Beach Employment Law Cases we Handle Include

Take Action Against Workplace Harassment

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Because California is an “at-will” state, an employer does not need to justify their reasoning for firing an employee, and employees can leave their job at any time. However, if an employer fires an employee based on a legally protected characteristic, it is considered wrongful termination. Both state and federal laws provide every California employee with rights and protections in the workplace. One of those rights is protection from discrimination or wrongful termination based on:

  • Sex
  • Race
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion
  • Color
  • Age
  • Medical conditions
  • Gender expression
  • Ancestry or nation of origin
  • Military status
  • Physical or mental disability
  • Genetic information
  • Criminal history
  • Pregnancy

It is also considered wrongful termination when:

  • An employee is fired because they took time off or requested time off through FMLA or CFRA.
  • An employee is fired as a form of retaliation (for example, because they filed a harassment claim against their employer).
  • An employee is fired outside of a contract or in an unlawful way.
  • An employee is fired because they are a “whistleblower” or refuse to work in unsafe conditions.
Recent Verdicts & Settlements

$2,791,785

Verdict of $2,791,785 against a restaurant for sexual harassment of a teenager in Orange County Superior Court

$2,125,000

$2,125,000 in age discrimination case against a large hotel

$2,944,707

Total verdict of $2,944,707 against Amazon in a pregnancy discrimination case in Los Angeles Superior Court

Different Types of Wrongful Termination Cases in California

Wrongful termination can come in multiple forms, which is why it is important that every employee is aware of the rights they have in the workplace.

Discrimination or Harassment

Discrimination and harassment cases are some of the most common employment law cases in California. If an employer bases their decision to fire an employee on a protected characteristic (i.e., race, gender, age, religion, etc.), it is considered a form of discrimination and therefore is classified as wrongful termination. It is also illegal for an employer to fire an employee as a form of harassment or because the employee reported harassment.

Breach of Contract

A “breach of contract” simply means that the terms of a set contract were broken by one of the parties involved. If an employer breaks the terms of a contract or if they fire an employee, which then breaks the terms of the contract they had together, they may be violating employment law.

Employer Retaliation

It is against the law for an employer to retaliate against their employee, which includes firing them for an unlawful reason. For example, an employer cannot terminate an employee if they:

  • Report harassment.
  • Get hurt on the job.
  • Refuse to partake in illegal activity.
  • Report health and safety violations.

Whistle blowing

The California Labor Code grants every employee the right to report their employer if they believe suspicious, harmful, or unlawful behavior is occurring. The term “whistleblower” is used to describe an employee who decides to report their employer for unlawful behavior such as discrimination, harassment, unsafe work conditions, and more. If an employee decides to report their employer, they are also protected by state law and cannot be retaliated against or fired because of their actions. If you are fired because you reported your employer for a violation, then you may have a wrongful termination case in California.

FMLA Violations

The Family and Medical Leave Act, more commonly known as the FMLA, is a federal law that grants workers the right to request time off for certain circumstances. It is against the law for an employer to deny an eligible employee their right to unpaid, job-protected leave through the FMLA or to retaliate against them for taking it. An employee is eligible for FMLA leave under several circumstances:

  • The employee has a serious health condition.
  • Their spouse, child, or parent has a serious health condition.
  • The birth of a child.
  • A qualifying military circumstance.
What Our Clients Say

How Wrongful Termination Attorneys Can Help 

In many employment law cases, especially wrongful termination cases, there are serious matters involved. That is why it is always in your best interest to work with an attorney who is experienced in the field, like one of our team members at California Employment, APC. Our lawyers can not only help you navigate through the legal proceedings of your case, but we can also help you better understand your rights as an employee.

We always prioritize our clients’ needs and can work to create a compelling case for your unique situation. Our lawyers can also use their negotiation skills to represent you and advocate for the most favorable outcome possible. Our team is committed to holding employers accountable and can work to protect your rights.

How to Prove Wrongful Termination 

In order for your wrongful termination case to be successful, you must provide clear evidence that the termination was unlawful. This is much easier when you hire a wrongful termination attorney from our firm. The team can help you gather key evidence that may prove useful in your wrongful termination case. This can include:

  • Written communications concerning your termination in emails, texts, or messages on internal company systems
  • Company policies that disproportionately marginalize certain individuals based on protected characteristics
  • Records of inconsistent treatment that don’t align with the treatment other employees have received
  • Records of inconsistent treatment that reflect a harsh change after you reported harassment or other workplace violations
  • Inconsistent work opportunities and accommodations that don’t reflect an employee’s contributions and performance
  • Termination and other punishments that coincide with taking medical leave or engaging in other legally protected acts

With a Newport Beach wrongful termination lawyer from our firm, you can get knowledge about wrongful termination laws and case practices to help with your needs. Our team can work to collect and compile strong evidence and present proof that you were wrongfully terminated or otherwise mistreated at work. 

We can also help to counter the common defenses a company may use to try to cover up for its illegal actions. For example:

  • Some companies claim terminations were done for business or financial reasons, even though records may not reflect this.
  • Management can try to accuse the released employee of misconduct, but we can challenge whether these assertions are backed by evidence.
  • Employers may say that treatment was not related to protected characteristics, but we can work to point out patterns and inconsistencies.

While wrongful terminations may create complex legal situations, our firm has the proven experience to support you. Backed by many positive reviews and plenty of experience, we bring the knowledge and diligence you can depend on.

Why Wrongful Termination Is a Problem for Everyone

While some people who are wrongfully terminated feel alone in their struggle, this issue is all too common. Newport Beach is home to over 20,000 businesses, and wrongful termination can happen in any of them. 

In December of 2025, the state lost 1,700 nonfarm payroll jobs, and many of these terminations could have potentially been connected to illegal issues. As for retaliation issues, a backlog of claims had grown to 4,878 over five years.

Workers are punished and even released every day for illegal reasons, including personal characteristics, and for standing up against unfair, unlawful practices. Our firm can help you confront these issues and right the wrongs, using skilled legal counsel to hold companies accountable for their actions.  

Stand Up for Your Workplace Rights

Hire a Newport Beach Wrongful Termination Attorney 

Few situations in life can feel more traumatizing than being terminated from your job. However, the loss of professional identity and financial stability can be made much worse when you believe the termination was unfair or unlawful. However, you don’t simply have to accept these injustices. You can turn to our skilled attorneys to stand up for your rights as a worker.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we hold that every employee has the right to feel comfortable where they work. That is why we are dedicated to providing thorough, compassionate representation for each client that comes through our doors. If you believe you were fired for the wrong reasons in Newport Beach, do not hesitate to see how our team may be able to help you. For more information about our services, contact us today.

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