Ventura County Employment Lawyers
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Skilled legal representation for firefighters, police officers, and first responders
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we proudly stand with those who risk their lives to keep Ventura County safe: firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. You show up when we need you most. Our job is to show up for you when your rights at work are being violated. Whether you’re dealing with workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or wrongful termination, we’re here to fight for you.
Employment law is complex, especially when it comes to public safety professionals. You face unique challenges most workers don’t, including dangerous working conditions, high-stress situations, intense scrutiny, and the pressure to stay silent even when something isn’t right. You deserve a law firm that understands that reality.
$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
- Why first responders trust McNicholas & McNicholas
- What types of employment issues do Ventura County first responders face?
- What California employment laws protect Ventura County safety personnel?
- Why choose our Ventura County employment lawyers?
- What should I do if I’m experiencing mistreatment on the job?
- What sets our Ventura County employment attorneys apart
- Do you have a Ventura County employment lawyer near me?
Why first responders trust McNicholas & McNicholas
McNicholas & McNicholas is one of California’s most trusted law firms for first responders. We’ve represented police officers, firefighters, first responders, and other public safety workers for decades, including in high-profile employment discrimination and whistleblower cases. Our team not only understands the law, but also the internal politics and pressures that can come with working for a public agency.
When you come to us, we take the time to listen to your story. We’re prepared to explain your rights in plain language and give you honest advice about your legal options. And if we take your case, we fight hard because we know what's at stake.
What types of employment issues do Ventura County first responders face?
Public safety work is demanding, but that doesn’t excuse illegal treatment on the job. Unfortunately, many firefighters, police officers, and EMTs in Ventura County face workplace challenges that go beyond the call of duty. Some of the most common employment law violations we handle include the following.
Discrimination
First responders should be judged based on how they perform, not their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. But in too many cases, good workers are sidelined, passed over for promotions, or subjected to unfair discipline based on bias. Whether it’s subtle or blatant, employment discrimination is illegal.
Harassment
Hostile work environments are especially damaging in high-stakes jobs like firefighting and law enforcement. Harassment may come in the form of repeated derogatory remarks, sexual comments or advances, bullying, or targeted hazing. If your complaints are being ignored, or worse, if you're being punished for speaking up, you may have a strong legal case.
Retaliation
Under California and federal law, it’s illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for reporting unlawful behavior, unsafe working conditions, discrimination, or harassment. Retaliation can take many forms: reassignment to less desirable shifts, denial of promotions, negative performance reviews, or outright termination.
Wrongful termination
If you were fired for reasons that violate your rights as an employee, for example, because of your race, age, disability, or whistleblower activity, you may have a claim for wrongful termination. Termination cases involving public employees often require special procedures, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced Ventura County employment law attorney.
Denial of due process
As a public employee, you’re entitled to procedural protections when facing discipline or termination, such as a Skelly hearing or other pre-disciplinary hearings. If your employer fails to follow these steps, your due process rights may have been violated.
Unsafe working conditions
While danger is part of the job, that doesn’t mean you should accept unsafe or illegal working conditions. If you’ve been forced to work without proper safety equipment or punished for refusing unsafe orders, we can help you hold your employer accountable.
What California employment laws protect Ventura County safety personnel?
Firefighters, police officers, and first responders in Ventura County often work for public agencies like cities, counties, or special districts. This changes how certain employment laws apply. You may be protected under:
- The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects against discrimination and harassment.
- The California Labor Code includes protections for whistleblowers and retaliation claims.
- The Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR) grants specific rights to law enforcement officers, including rights during investigations and discipline.
- The Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR) provides similar protections for firefighters, including notice of disciplinary action and the right to representation.
- Federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Knowing which laws apply in your case and how to enforce them is where our legal team comes in.
Why choose our Ventura County employment lawyers?
McNicholas & McNicholas has a long history of representing public safety professionals across California. Our clients include firefighters from city and county departments, law enforcement officers from sheriff’s offices and police departments, and EMTs working for both public and private agencies. We’ve handled cases involving:
- Race and gender discrimination in police and fire departments
- Sexual harassment by supervisors or coworkers
- Whistleblower retaliation after reporting misconduct or unsafe practices
- Disability discrimination, including failure to accommodate injuries or PTSD
- Wrongful demotions or terminations without due process
- Hostile work environments fueled by favoritism or department politics
When you bring your case to us, you’re not just getting any Ventura County employment law firm. You’re getting advocates who understand what you’re going through and are ready to fight back.
What should I do if I’m experiencing mistreatment on the job?
If you’re being harassed, discriminated against, or retaliated against, it’s easy to feel trapped, especially in a field where loyalty, chain of command, and silence are often emphasized. But you do have options. Here’s what we recommend:
- Document everything. Keep a written record of any incidents of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, including dates, times, locations, and who was involved.
- Follow internal procedures. File a complaint through your agency’s HR department or internal affairs office, if appropriate. This helps preserve your rights under the law.
- Talk to an attorney. The earlier we get involved, the better we can protect your rights and help you build a strong case.
First responders often face a culture of silence. You’re expected to push through, tough it out, or keep your head down. But when your rights are being violated, you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. Whether you're a firefighter facing unsafe station conditions, a police officer targeted for speaking up, or an EMT being harassed by coworkers, we’re here for you.
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we take the time to understand your situation and explain how the law applies. We know how to handle the complexities that come with government employers, union involvement, and the pressures of a public safety job.
What sets our Ventura County employment attorneys apart
Here’s why Ventura County first responders choose McNicholas & McNicholas:
- We've recovered millions for public safety workers and employees across California.
- We don’t take just any employment case. We focus on those where we can make a difference.
- We treat our first responder clients with the respect and care they deserve.
- Our lawyers are fierce and aren’t afraid to stand up to powerful government entities, agencies, or departments.
Whether you work in Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, or any of the smaller cities or unincorporated areas in Ventura County, we’re ready to help. We serve:
- Police officers in city departments or the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
- Firefighters from city or county fire departments
- Paramedics and EMTs, including those working for local agencies or private employers
- Public safety professionals in special districts or multi-agency units
No matter your uniform or badge, your rights matter.
Do you have a Ventura County 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. Give us a call, any time of day, seven days a week.
Get in touch with our Ventura County employment attorneys today
If you’re a firefighter, police officer, or first responder in Ventura County and you're facing mistreatment at work, McNicholas & McNicholas is ready to help. We’re here to review your case confidentially and explain your options without pressure. You’ve spent your career protecting others. Let us protect your rights. Call our offices 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