Bakersfield Employment Lawyers Representing Firefighters
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Fighting for the rights of Kern County firefighters in the workplace
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we know the challenges firefighters face in Bakersfield and across Kern County: long hours, physical danger, emotional stress, and constant public scrutiny. But one thing you shouldn’t have to fight for is fair treatment at work.
If you’ve been denied a promotion, harassed by a supervisor, retaliated against for speaking out, or pushed out because of an injury, our team is here to help. We focus our employment law practice on protecting firefighters (career, volunteer, municipal, and wildland) who are being treated unfairly by their departments. You spend your life protecting others. Now it’s our turn to protect you.
$3 Million
in a retaliation case. Our lawyers secured this sum for six firefighters who disclosed a dangerous and unlawful “Operation Catch-Up” fire department program.
$2.75 Million
in another retaliation case. Our attorneys obtained this amount for a fire department employee who disclosed potential grant fraud and abuse.
$1.5 Million
in a discrimination, harassment, and retaliation case. Our Fresno employment lawyers helped two firefighters obtain this amount of compensation when their employer violated the California Fair Employment Housing Act.
$1.5 Million
for a municipal fire agency worker when a disabled worker was forced to accept an administrative job (even though he had completed his injury rehabilitation), was harassed, and ultimately forced to resign due to his disability and workplace restrictions.
Quick questions
- We understand what firefighters are facing
- What is discrimination in fire departments?
- Retaliation after speaking up
- Discrimination based on injury or disability
- McNicholas & McNicholas knows Bakersfield fire departments
- What can I expect in the legal process?
- What are my legal rights as a firefighter in Bakersfield?
- What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly?
- Why firefighters choose us for their employment law matters
- Do you have a Bakersfield firefighter employment lawyer near me?
We understand what firefighters are facing
Firefighting is a tough, honorable profession. But that doesn’t mean it’s free from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace. As a firefighter, you have rights under California and federal law, and your department has a legal obligation to treat you with fairness and respect. That includes:
- Equal opportunity for promotion and assignments
- Protection from discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, or other characteristics
- A workplace free from harassment
- Reasonable accommodations for duty-related injuries or disabilities
- Protection from retaliation when you report misconduct or stand up for your rights
Unfortunately, many firefighters in Bakersfield and surrounding areas experience the exact opposite. That’s where we come in.
What is discrimination in fire departments?
Discrimination still occurs in fire departments across California, and Bakersfield is no exception. Sometimes it’s obvious, like being told you’re not a “good fit” for a position or being left off a specialized team despite qualifying. Other times, it’s subtle; comments, policies, or decisions that consistently exclude or penalize certain firefighters based on who they are. You may have a discrimination claim if you’ve been treated unfairly because of:
- Race or ethnicity
- Gender or sex (including pregnancy or breastfeeding)
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Age (if you’re 40 or older)
- Disability or medical condition, including injuries suffered on duty
- Religion
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we’ve represented firefighters who were passed over for promotions because they were women, people of color, or openly gay. We’ve worked with older firefighters who were pushed into retirement despite having strong service records. We’ve seen station leadership create hostile work environments for injured firefighters returning to light duty. If something similar is happening to you, we can help.
Firehouse culture is often described as “tough” or “rough around the edges”—but that’s no excuse for harassment. Jokes, hazing, and pranks may be part of tradition, but when behavior becomes threatening, humiliating, or targeted at someone because of who they are, it’s unlawful.
We’ve represented firefighters who experienced:
- Sexual harassment from fellow firefighters or supervisors
- Racist comments or slurs made during a shift
- Harassment for speaking out or supporting a coworker’s complaint
- Hostile behavior after returning from an injury or medical leave
No firefighter should have to choose between a paycheck and personal dignity. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects employees from workplace harassment, and our firm helps ensure those protections are enforced.
Retaliation after speaking up
One of the most common calls we get from firefighters in Bakersfield is about retaliation. You report an unsafe practice. You call out harassment. You file a complaint or support someone who does. Suddenly, your schedule changes. You’re passed up for training. You’re reassigned to less desirable calls. Or worse, you’re investigated or written up on thin charges. This is retaliation, and it’s illegal.
Retaliation isn’t always dramatic. It often starts small, with unfavorable scheduling or negative performance reviews. But if the behavior continues or escalates, it can ruin your career. If you suspect your department is punishing you for exercising your rights, it’s time to talk to one of our lawyers.
Discrimination based on injury or disability
Many firefighters in Kern County suffer injuries on the job. Whether you were injured during a structure fire, vehicle extrication, or routine call, your department is required to support your recovery. Unfortunately, some departments push injured firefighters out rather than helping them return.
We’ve helped firefighters who were:
- Denied modified or light-duty assignments
- Forced into early retirement
- Harassed for taking time off under FMLA or CFRA
- Subjected to unnecessary or repetitive “fitness for duty” exams
- Terminated during medical leave
California law requires your employer to provide reasonable accommodations if you can still do your job with adjustments. And if you can’t, they must explore alternatives before making a termination decision. If they skipped those steps, we can hold them accountable.
McNicholas & McNicholas knows Bakersfield fire departments
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we understand how Bakersfield’s fire agencies operate. We’ve worked with career firefighters, probationary hires, and volunteers from:
- Bakersfield Fire Department
- Kern County Fire Department
- California City, Delano, Tehachapi, and Ridgecrest fire services
- Wildland fire crews and seasonal teams
- EMS and fire-paramedic hybrid agencies
We know how HR departments handle complaints. We know how command staff sometimes cover for each other. And we know how to protect your rights within that system. Whether you’re still on active duty, on leave, or have already been let go, we can help.
What can I expect in the legal process?
When you call us, your first step is simple. We listen. You don’t have to come with paperwork or legal knowledge. You just need to tell us your story.
Once we understand the facts, we help you explore your legal options. That might include filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, reporting retaliation under whistleblower laws, or negotiating directly with your employer. In some cases, we file lawsuits and fight aggressively in court. Throughout the process, we protect your confidentiality, your job, and your career.
We work on a contingency fee basis in most employment cases, which means you don’t pay unless we win or settle your case.
What are my legal rights as a firefighter in Bakersfield?
California law offers firefighters strong workplace protections, including:
- Anti-discrimination laws under FEHA
- Medical leave rights under FMLA and CFRA
- Disability accommodations and protections against medical-based termination
- Whistleblower laws protecting you from retaliation when reporting illegal conduct
- Union protections, where applicable
You generally have three years of when you were last harmed (with very limited exceptions). But the sooner you act, the better we can preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and secure your position.
What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly?
If you're a firefighter in Bakersfield and believe your rights are being violated, here’s what we recommend.
- Keep records. Start a journal or notes on your phone with dates, names, and what happened. Save emails, shift schedules, evaluations, and text messages.
- Report internally. File a formal complaint if your agency has a process for doing so. This shows you tried to resolve the issue appropriately.
- Stay professional. We know it’s hard, but keeping your conduct above reproach strengthens your case and keeps the focus on the real problem.
- Talk to a lawyer. Don’t wait until things spiral. We can guide you on what to say, what to document, and how to stay protected.
Why firefighters choose us for their employment law matters
Firefighters across California trust McNicholas & McNicholas because we understand the job and the risks that come with speaking up. We don’t just take employment cases. We focus on first responder employment cases, and we bring a deep respect for the work you do.
We’re here to give you clear answers, straightforward advice, and the legal power to fight back. Whether you’re still serving or forced out unfairly, we can be in your corner.
Do you have a Bakersfield firefighter 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. You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call our Bakersfield firefighter employment lawyers today for a consultation
You signed up to save lives, not to fight your department. But if your workplace has turned toxic, discriminatory, or unsafe, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact McNicholas & McNicholas today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Bakersfield firefighter employment lawyer. We’re here to help you understand your rights and your options, and we’re prepared to stand with you every step of the way. Call our office or complete our contact form to learn more about how we can help.
List of Fire Departments We are Suing or Have Sued
- Berkeley Fire/CoB (Non LEO)
- Los Angeles Fire Department