Bakersfield Employee Rights Lawyers
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Representing firefighters, police officers, and first responders in employment law matters
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we stand with the people who stand up for us – firefighters, police officers, paramedics, dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians across Bakersfield and Kern County. As a first responder, your job demands courage, professionalism, and resilience. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace.
If you’ve been mistreated at work, pushed out after an injury, denied a promotion you earned, or punished for speaking out, you’re not alone, and you do have legal rights. Our firm is here to help you protect them.
$11.65 Million
for an LAPD K9 Bomb Unit dog handler in retaliation case.
$11.56 Million
jury verdict for a former LAPD Bomb K9 trainer who faced discrimination and retaliation after he reported violations of the law.
$5.9 Million
for ten LAPD motor officers who claimed they were retaliated against for refusing to follow a ticket quota.
$5.8 Million
against the City of Los Angeles in a retaliation case on behalf of an LAPD officer.
$3 Million
for six firefighters who suffered retaliation after blowing the whistle on LAFD’s dangerous and unlawful building inspections.
$3 Million
on behalf of six Whittier police officers who allegedly faced retaliation for refusing to participate in an illegal quota.
$2.5 Million
for four officers from the Internal Surveillance Unit, an elite sector of the LAPD’s Special Operations Division in a retaliation case.
$13.1 Million
for two male LAPD police officers in a sex discrimination and retaliation case.
$10.1 Million
verdict for a Captain at the Los Angeles Police Department, against the LAPD.
$5.3 Million
verdict in favor of an African American member of a Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
$3.6 Million
for an LAPD employee facing retaliation after standing up for a female officer who had been subjected to harassment and discrimination.
$3.59 Million
for a Japanese-American police officer for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
$2.8 Million
secured a $2.8 million verdict on behalf of a now-retired Riverside Police Department Officer against the City of Riverside.
$2.3 Million
for a female SWAT officer denied a position on an elite squad.
$2.23 Million
for three LAPD female employees for discriminatory and retaliatory actions.
Quick questions
- McNicholas & McNicholas understands first responders
- About discrimination in public safety jobs
- Retaliation after reporting misconduct
- Bakersfield agencies we know
- What does California law say about my rights?
- What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly in Bakersfield?
- Why Bakersfield first responders choose McNicholas & McNicholas
- Do you have a Bakersfield employment lawyer near me?
McNicholas & McNicholas understands first responders
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we focus our employment law practice on representing firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. These professions come with unique stress and risks, and they also come with specific workplace challenges. Whether you're facing discrimination within a firehouse, unfair discipline within your police department, or retaliation after reporting harassment at your EMS agency, we know how to help.
We’ve worked with clients from across Kern County and Bakersfield, including:
- Bakersfield Police Department
- Kern County Fire Department
- Local city fire and emergency agencies
- County EMS teams
- Paramedics, dispatchers, and other frontline workers
No matter what uniform you wear, if you're being mistreated at work, we want to hear your story.
About discrimination in public safety jobs
Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs are not immune to workplace discrimination. Just like in any job, unlawful bias can influence how decisions are made, whether it's about hiring, assignments, evaluations, or promotions. Discrimination often involves:
- Race or national origin
- Gender or sexual orientation
- Age (40 and older)
- Disability, including injuries sustained in the line of duty
- Religion
We’ve represented police officers denied advancement based on race, female firefighters excluded from key roles, and EMTs forced out after a medical condition. If you’re being treated differently because of who you are, that’s not just unfair. It may be illegal.
Some employers try to excuse inappropriate behavior by saying it's part of the culture or the stress of the job. But workplace harassment is never acceptable, especially in roles as demanding as firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency medical response.
We’ve helped first responders deal with:
- Sexual harassment from supervisors or coworkers
- Racial slurs or degrading jokes at stations or precincts
- Hostility toward injured or disabled team members
- Persistent bullying after reporting misconduct
Whether it's happening in the locker room, on a call, or inside the department office, harassment has no place in public safety. At McNicholas & McNicholas, we can help you take action.
Retaliation after reporting misconduct
One of the most common complaints we hear from Bakersfield’s first responders is retaliation. You speak up about discrimination, report unsafe behavior, or support a coworker’s complaint, and suddenly you're being transferred, targeted, or disciplined. Retaliation often shows up as:
- Undesirable reassignments or shift changes
- Negative performance evaluations without a basis
- Suspensions, demotions, or internal investigations
- Exclusion from specialized teams or career opportunities
Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics all deserve better. If your job has gotten worse after standing up for what’s right, you may have a strong retaliation claim.
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we take the time to understand exactly what’s happening at your station or department. Maybe your fire chief is pushing you out after an injury. Or perhaps your sergeant keeps overlooking you for promotions. Maybe you’re a dispatcher who reported harassment and now can’t get a decent shift.
Whatever the issue, we dig in to find the facts, gather the evidence, and guide you forward. Many cases can be resolved before trial. Others may involve filing with the Civil Rights Department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). And when necessary, we can take your case to court.
Bakersfield agencies we know
We’ve worked with first responders across Kern County. That includes local and regional agencies such as:
- Bakersfield Fire Department and the surrounding city fire services
- Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Office
- Kern County EMS, ambulance services, and emergency dispatch centers
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers stationed in Kern County
Each agency has its own procedures and its own politics. We know how these organizations function, and we know how to fight for your rights within them.
What does California law say about my rights?
California offers some of the strongest worker protections in the country. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), it's illegal for employers to discriminate, harass, or retaliate against employees based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, disability, and more.
First responders are entitled to the same legal protections as any other employee, and in some cases, even more. For example, public safety employees have specific rights around:
- Fitness-for-duty evaluations and return-to-work issues
- Disability accommodations for injuries and long-term medical conditions
- Whistleblower protections for reporting internal misconduct
- Union representation in certain disciplinary matters
If you’re unsure whether your situation crosses a legal line, we’re here to help.
What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly in Bakersfield?
If you’re a firefighter, officer, or first responder experiencing unfair treatment at work, take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
- Write everything down. Start a log with dates, names, what happened, and how it made you feel. Keep emails, messages, memos, and anything else that might be relevant.
- Report the issue internally if it’s safe to do so. Use your department’s complaint procedures, chain of command, or HR process. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, speak to a lawyer first.
- Stay professional. It’s tempting to lash out when you're being treated unfairly, but your professionalism matters. Keeping your record clean helps your case.
Then, talk to an attorney. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can preserve your rights and protect you from further harm.
Why Bakersfield first responders choose McNicholas & McNicholas
We focus on representing first responders because we respect what you do, and we understand the unique challenges you face. We’ve built a reputation as a firm that stands up for people in uniform, both in negotiations and in court.
We’re not just employment lawyers. We’re advocates for firefighters, police officers, and first responders whose voices too often go ignored. When we take your case, we fight like your future depends on it. Because it does. Read more about our successful verdicts and settlements here.
Do you have a Bakersfield employment lawyer near me?
McNicholas & McNicholas has offices at 10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400, in Los Angeles. We also maintain offices in Santa Ana and Oakland. We can take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Get in touch with our Bakersfield employment lawyers today
If you’re a first responder in Bakersfield and something at work doesn’t feel right, it’s time to take action. Whether you’re still on the job or already facing discipline or termination, we’re ready to help. Call McNicholas & McNicholas for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen to your story, explain your options, and stand by your side. You’ve spent your career protecting others. Now it’s our turn to protect you. Call our office or complete our contact form to learn more about how we can help.
List of Agencies We are Suing or Have Sued
Police departments:
- Berkeley PD
- Chula Vista PD
- Culver City PD (Non-LEO)
- El Monte PD
- El Segundo PD
- Fremont PD
- Huntington Beach PD
- Palo Alto PD
- Pomona PD
- Redondo Beach PD
- Riverside PD
- San Diego PD
- Ukiah PD
- Walnut Creek PD
- Willits PD
Sheriff departments:
- Contra Costa Sheriff (Non-LEO/Employment)
- LA Co Sheriff
- Santa Barbara County Sheriff
- San Joaquin County Sheriff
- Shasta County Sheriff
Fire departments:
- Berkeley Fire/CoB (Non-LEO)
- LAFD
City of Richmond (Non-LEO/Employment)
LAWA