Oakland Employment Lawyers Representing First Responders

Tough representation when our emergency heroes suffer discrimination

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First responders in Oakland provide many different types of health and disaster relief services. They save lives. They help people in need. Justice demands that first responders be treated with respect and decency. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we’ve been fighting for employees when employers discriminate or harass their employees. We also file retaliation claims when employers retaliate against first responders who assert their rights or support the rights of others. We have three generations of Oakland employment lawyers who have the experience and record of results to fight for your financial security and for the emotional distress unfair treatment causes.

Our record of results on behalf of first responders who have discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation claims includes many recoveries for more than $1 million for police officers, firefighters, and other employees.

  • Discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, and other factors
  • Acts of harassment
  • Retaliation for disclosing fraud and other whistleblowing disclosures, supporting colleagues, objecting to violations of union contracts, and other reasons.
$13.1 million

$13.1
million

 

for Two Male LADPD Police Officers in Sex Discrimination and Retaliation Case.

$11.65 Million

$11.65
million

 

for an LAPD K9 Bomb Unit dog handler in retaliation case.

$10.1 million

$10.1
million

 

secured a $10.1 million verdict on behalf of a Captain at the Los Angeles Police Department, against the Los Angeles Police Department.

$5.8 Million

$5.8
million

 

against the City of Los Angeles in a retaliation case on behalf of an LAPD officer.

$5.6 Million

$5.6
million

for a Bomb Tech discrimination case.

$3.6 Million

$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

$3.59
million

for a Japanese-American police officer for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

$3 Million

$3
million

 

on behalf of six Whittier police officers who allegedly faced retaliation for refusing to participate in an illegal quota.

$2.8 Million

$2.8
million

secured a $2.8 million verdict on behalf of now-retired Riverside Police Department Officer Shawn Casteel against the City of Riverside.

$2.5 Million

$2.5
million

retaliation lawsuit represented four officers from the Internal Surveillance Unit, an elite sector of the LAPD’s Special Operations Division.

$2.33 Million

$2.33
million

for a female SWAT officer denied a position on an elite squad.

$2.17 Million

$2.17
million

for three LAPD female employees for discriminatory and retaliatory actions.

Quick Questions

Car accident on a busy street in New York. USA. emergency responders at the scene. organized response.

What is an employment discrimination claim?

Public and private employers can’t adversely affect your employment opportunities and benefits if you are a member of a protected class. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we’re experienced and respected for our ability to hold employers accountable for the following types of adverse employment conditions. We’ll explain when first responders are members of a protected class.

Adverse employment conditions include:

  • Being denied employment
  • Not being able to do your job because of a hostile work environment
  • Failing to provide reasonable accommodations if you have a disability
  • Being ineligible for training, quality assignments, bonuses, and promotions
  • Being transferred
  • Being suspended or terminated

Whether you’re a member of a protected class depends on which law(s) provide protection. Generally, first responders are protected from adverse employment conditions based on their:

  • Race, national origin, or color
  • Sex, gender identification, or sexual orientation
  • Disability
  • Religion
  • Age (40 and older)
  • Pregnancy or childbirth
  • Genetic information
  • Military or veteran status

Which first responders do you represent?

Our Oakland employment discrimination lawyers represent:

  • Police officers and sheriff’s deputies
  • Firefighters
  • SWAT members
  • Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and medevac operators
  • Narcotics officers, court officers, SWAT members, and security officers
  • Park rangers
  • School resource officers
  • Court officers
  • Dispatchers
  • Certain public works employees

Don’t guess. Contact McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP to determine if you’re eligible to file a discrimination claim in Oakland.

Do your Oakland employment lawyers represent volunteers?

Yes. Even though you don’t receive a salary, you do have the right to be treated fairly while you work. Employers cannot discriminate, harass, or retaliate against you. If you are fired, suspended, given unfavorable assignments, or treated worse than other volunteers because of your race, gender, or other protected class factors, you should be able to file a claim for violation of the California Fair Employment & Housing Act.

Which federal and California laws protect first responders from discrimination?

Our Oakland employment lawyers understand the federal, state, Alameda County, and Oakland laws and regulations that protect first responders. We understand when employees are eligible to file an employment claim. Generally, employers are covered by most laws – depending on their size and other factors.

We assert the following laws, among others, on behalf of first responders who suffer discrimination, harassment, or retaliation:

These laws and court cases also protect first responders from:

  • Harassment. Harassment includes racial and sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes the creation of a hostile environment and quid pro quo harassment (conditioning your job benefits and work conditions on providing sexual favors).
  • Retaliation. If your employer tries to punish, threaten, or intimidate you by firing you, failing to provide comfortable working conditions, harassing you, or adversely affecting your job in any way – you likely have a retaliation claim in addition to your other claims.

How do your Oakland employment attorneys show that discrimination occurred where I work?

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we’ve been fighting for employees for more than 30 years. Some of the many ways our Oakland discrimination lawyers fight for first responders include:

  • Determining which federal and California laws protect you
  • Examining if the law covers your employer
  • Determining if you are a member of a protected class
  • Explaining when and where your claim is filed
  • Assessing who the defendants are
  • Obtaining written communications, performance reports, data, employment contracts, employer policies, and other necessary information
  • Questioning the employer, managers, coworkers, and anyone with information about how your employment rights have been adversely affected, and why the adverse consequences are due to your protected class
  • Calculating your financial damages
  • Showing your emotional damages
  • Negotiating settlements
  • Presenting your case before agencies, judges, and juries

How do your attorneys help first responders assert their employment rights?

We recommend that you contact us promptly. The time for filing your claim may vary depending on whether your employer is considered a public or private employer, which agency or court is hearing your case, the specific employment laws, and other factors.

What compensation can I receive for workplace harassment or discrimination?

At McNicholas & McNicholas, our lawyers focus on all the small details that can lead to large compensation awards. We work with financial professionals and psychologists when necessary to help verify your damages.

We demand compensation for the following damages to date and all future damages, including:

  • Lost pay and benefits
  • Emotional distress, loss of reputation, and humiliation
  • Injunctive orders that require your employer to rehire you, promote you, or give you a job
  • Legal fees and court costs
  • Statutory damages

You may also be entitled to punitive damages.

Do you have an Oakland first responder lawyer near me?

McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP meets first responders at our Los Angeles office located in Westwood at 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400. You can also consult with us by phone and through video conferences.

We’ll answer all your questions and assert all your rights.

Get help now by contacting our Oakland employment lawyers today

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we understand how upset you are. Your career gives you pride in helping your community and the income to provide for yourself and your family. Our Oakland employment lawyers have helped first responders and other employees obtain more than $150 million in recoveries. If you’re suffering employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, please call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a consultation.

Prefer to speak with someone now?

Call us for your free consultation — we’re ready to help.

310-474-1582

Call 310-299-9135 now or fill out the form above to receive a free, confidential consultation.

TESTIMONIALS

Client Success Stories

I can’t express enough gratitude for the exceptional service we received from Attorney Brandon Castor during one of the most challenging times in our lives. Our family was affected by the devastating Paradise fires, and it felt like the weight of the world was on our shoulders as we tried to navigate the aftermath.

LL
Leslie Lee

I can’t express enough gratitude for the exceptional service we received from Attorney BrandonI recently had a wage question and I was contacted by Jeff Ponting who grossly exceeded my expectations regarding the information he provided me. Not only did he share his expertise, but took the time to confer...

LL
Brad Kohler

Juan Victoria and the McNicholas team deserve more than 5 Stars. Words can't describe how grateful I am to have received help from McNicholas law firm. Juan is very SHARP, calm strategic thinker with a very approachable, down to earth manner. He is so dedicated, very hard working. I could not imagine...

LL
Veronica R.

Juan Victoria and the McNicholas team deserve more than 5 Stars. Words can't describe how grateful I am to have received help from McNicholas law firm. Juan is very SHARP, calm strategic thinker with a very approachable, down to earth manner. He is so dedicated, very hard working. I could not imagine...

LL
Veronica R.

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List of Agencies We are Suing or Have Sued

  • LAPD
  • LA Co Sheriff
  • Berkely PD
  • Riverside PD
  • Huntington Beach PD
  • Redondo Beach PD
  • Ukiah PD
  • Willits PD
  • City of Richmond (Non LEO/Employment)
  • Palo Alto PD
  • Santa Barbara County Sheriff
  • Chula Vista PD
  • San Joaquin County Sheriff
  • Fremont PD
  • Walnut Creek PD
  • Shasta County Sheriff
  • Contra Costa Sheriff (Non LEO/Employment)
  • El Segundo PD
  • San Diego PD
  • El Monte PD
  • Pomona PD
  • LAWA
  • Culver City PD (Non LEO)
  • Berkeley Fire/CoB (Non LEO)
  • LAFD
California