Orange County Employment Lawyers Representing Police Officers

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$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results

$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders

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Strong advocacy when police departments discriminate, harass, or retaliate against their employees

Orange County’s cities have nearly 26 police departments. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office also protects the nearly three million residents of Orange County. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we have 35 years of experience fighting to ensure these courageous officers and deputies only have to fight crime and not their employers. Our Orange County law enforcement lawyers hold police departments and sheriff’s offices accountable when they discriminate - make employment decisions based on your race, sex, age, or other personal identity characteristics. We also file employment claims to protect officers and deputies from harassment, retaliation, and employers who do not want to pay what they owe their workers.

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Quick questions

Our record of success in police employment cases includes:

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$13.1 Million
in a sex discrimination and retaliation case on behalf of two male LAPD police officers.

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$11.65 Million
for an LAPD K9 Bomb Unit dog handler in retaliation case.

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$11.56 Million
jury verdict for a former LAPD Bomb K9 trainer who faced discrimination and retaliation after he reported violations of the law.

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$10.1 Million
verdict for a Captain at the Los Angeles Police Department against the LAPD.

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$5.9 Million
for ten Los Angeles Police Department motor officers who claimed they were retaliated against for refusing to follow a ticket quota.

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What are the requirements for filing a police employment discrimination complaint in Orange County?

At McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, we have the experience and resources to file employment claims against the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which has nearly 4,000 staff members in six organizational Commands comprised of 23 Divisions.

We are also ready to file employment claims against the police departments in Orange County that include the following:

The two main requirements for filing a discrimination claim are:

  • Your membership in a protected class. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement workers in Orange are “protected” based on the wording of the applicable discrimination law. As an example, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act defines a protected class as follows:
    • Race or color;
    • National origin/ancestry;
    • Religion or creed;
    • Age (40 and over);
    • Physical or mental disability;
    • Sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; gender identity; and gender expression;
    • Military or veteran status;
    • Genetic or medical condition; and
    • Marital status.
  • Your employer adversely affects your employment. Examples include terminating your employment, denying a promotion you deserve, giving you unfavorable work assignments, not hiring you even when you have the necessary qualifications, transferring you to a less desirable location, reducing your pay, not providing reasonable workplace accommodations to do your job if you have a disability or are pregnant, and other adverse employment conditions.

When can police officers and sheriff’s deputies file a harassment claim in Orange County?

A hostile work environment

Our Orange County law enforcement attorneys file harassment claims on behalf of workers who are members of a protected class if the workplace conduct creates a hostile work environment – a work environment where a worker feels uncomfortable, offended, intimidated, or abused.

According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, “Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Generally, you can file a workplace harassment claim if your employer can control the harassment (by a manager, supervisor, co-worker, non-employee, or anyone with access to the workplace) and fails to do so. The offensive conduct can be verbal or physical. The harassment can be offensive if you witness it – even if you are not the focus of the harassment.

Sexual harassment - Quid pro quo harassment

At McNicholas & McNicholas, we also handle quid pro harassment claims. This type of harassment involves sexual harassment by someone in a position of authority who conditions your employment on whether you provide sexual favors.

In one harassment and discrimination case, we obtained $950,000 for a Los Angeles police officer when her request for medical leave resulted in harassment and discrimination.

Do I have a remedy if my employer retaliates because I asserted my legal rights?

If a police department in Orange County or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office adversely affects your employment or tries to intimidate you because you asserted your legal rights, we can file a retaliation claim against your employer. Retaliation claims are typically authorized by various discrimination laws.

In most cases, you can file a retaliation claim against your employer if it negatively affects your employment when you file:

  • A discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claim;
  • A workers’ compensation claim;
  • A whistleblower’s claim; or
  • A request for family medical leave.

We also file retaliation claims if you support or testify on behalf of another worker’s employment claim or assert any other legal right and face resulting consequences.

What types of employment claims do your Orange County police employment lawyers handle?

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our employment lawyers handle the following types of employment claims, in addition to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims:

  • Executive compensation claims. Any law enforcement employee, such as a supervisor, who has a written executive employment contract with a police department or sheriff’s office has the right to hold their employer to the terms of the contract. Common executive compensation terms include salary, vacation, insurance and other work benefits, retirement benefits, and severance pay.
  • Wage and hour loss. We understand how much every dollar counts. Our lawyers hold employers to their duty to pay you for every hour you work, including overtime – in accordance with federal and state laws, Orange County regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Termination claims. We file claims for financial compensation and job reinstatement if your employer terminates your employment in violation of any discrimination or other employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, or written employment agreements.
  • Family medical leave claims. Officers and deputies, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, can request medical leave pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Our lawyers file retaliation claims if your employer adversely affects your employment or harasses you because you asked for this legal right.

We represent employees, independent contractors, and volunteers.

What laws protect law enforcement employees in Orange County?

Some of the discrimination, harassment, and retaliation laws that protect police officers and other law enforcement personnel include:

Federal laws

California law

How do you fight for the employee rights of Orange County police officers and sheriff’s deputies?

Our employment attorneys have secured $150 million in recoveries for police officers, firefighters and other first responders. We represent you at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Civil Rights Department (CCRD). If the EEOC or CCRD cannot resolve your claim, we file your claim with the Superior Court of Orange County or the Southern Division of the Central District of California. We also file some employment claims directly with the Superior Court or the Southern District.

At McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, we can:

  • Answer your questions;
  • Explain your rights;
  • Conduct a thorough discovery of your employer and everyone with knowledge of your claim (discovery includes written questions, oral questions, and requests to review all relevant documentation, such as performance reviews);
  • Explain which laws protect your employee rights:
  • Review any written employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements you have;
  • Anticipate and respond to the arguments of your employer;
  • Work with experts such as statisticians who can show how pervasive discrimination is;
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies and attorneys for your employer, and
  • Argue your case with the EEOC or CCRD – and before judges and juries.

Where do you file my employment discrimination claim?

Most discrimination and harassment claims begin with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Civil Rights Department (CCRD).

We can appeal CCRD reviews to the Superior Court of Orange County. Orange County federal appeals are generally held in the Southern Division of the Central District of California.

Non-civil rights cases, such as executive compensation cases, can be filed directly in the state or federal courts without having to go before the EEOC or the CCRD.

Do you have an Orange County law enforcement employment lawyer near me?

McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP meets police officers, sheriff’s officers, and other law enforcement personnel at our office located on Wilshire Blvd., Suite 140, Los Angeles 10866. We also speak with clients remotely – by phone and through online video such as Zoom and FaceTime.

We understand how anxious you are. We’re here to guide you confidently through each step of your claim.

Get help from our Orange County employment lawyers today

McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, is respected across California by former clients and the legal community for our impressive record of verdicts and settlements. We’ve helped many law enforcement workers just like you. Call us or fill out our easy-to-use contact form to schedule a free consultation.

List of police departments we are suing or have sued

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