Oakland Employment Lawyers Representing First Responders
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Tough representation when our emergency heroes suffer discrimination
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.
$5.9 Million
for 10 Los Angeles Police Department motor officers claimed they were retaliated against for refusing to follow a ticket quota.
$5.3 Million
in favor of first African American member of Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
$3.59 Million
for a Japanese American officer in the Los Angeles Police Department K9 Unit, for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
$2.75 Million
unanimous verdict on behalf of a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) employee who experienced retaliation after blowing the whistle on potential grant fraud and abuse.
$2.3 Million
in favor of a female officer denied a position on elite police squad; Found all male SWAT team of Los Angeles Police Department liable for gender discrimination.
$2.3 Million
in favor of female Los Angeles Police Department officer who was subjected to sexual harassment, causing pre-term labor that led to the loss of her child at 23 weeks.
Quick Questions
- What is an employment discrimination claim?
- Which first responders do you represent?
- Do your Oakland employment lawyers represent volunteers?
- Which federal and California laws protect first responders from discrimination?
- How do your Oakland employment attorneys show that discrimination occurred where I work?
- How do your attorneys help first responders assert their employment rights?
- What compensation can I receive for workplace harassment or discrimination?
- Do you have an Oakland first responder lawyer near me?
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:
- California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. This law helps workers who are discriminated against at work.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This federal law provides broad protection against discrimination, harassment, and workplace retaliation.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This federal law protects first responders with disabilities.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you’re disabled, these laws protect you.
- The Equal Pay Act. This federal law mandates equal pay for both men and women for equal work.
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. These laws provide protection from discrimination if you’re pregnant.
- The Trauma Treatment Act. This law helps workers with mental health difficulties.
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. This federal law grants employee rights and protections to members of our armed forces.
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.
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