Torrance Employment Lawyers Representing Police Officers
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$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Experienced representation when police departments violate the rights of their employees
Police officers and other law enforcement employees protect Torrance from crimes, provide assistance when vehicle accidents happen, and help residents and businesses understand how to secure themselves and their property. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we hold police departments and sheriff’s offices in Torrance and Los Angeles County accountable when they judge their workers based on their race, sex, or other identity characteristics instead of their ability to protect the public. Our Torrance employment lawyers file discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and compensation claims on behalf of law enforcement officers throughout California.
Our record of successes on behalf of law enforcement employees includes the following recoveries:
$13.1 Million
for two male LAPD Police Officers in sex discrimination and retaliation case.
$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.
$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.
$5.9 Million
in a retaliation case for ten Los Angeles Police Department motor officers who refused to comply with a ticket quota.
Quick Questions
- What is a discrimination claim?
- What is a harassment claim?
- What is a retaliation claim?
- What types of employment claims do you handle in Torrance?
- What laws protect police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement personnel in Torrance?
- How do you advocate for police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Torrance?
- What damages can I receive for employment violations in Torrance?
- Do you have a Torrance police officer and sheriff’s deputy employment lawyer near me?
What is a discrimination claim?
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we are ready to file a discrimination claim against the City of Torrance Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department if they adversely affect your employment because you are a member of a protected class.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act and federal discrimination laws generally protect employees, independent contractors, and volunteers if their employer judges them on any of the following factors and not their work abilities:
- National origin, ancestry, race or color
- Sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- Age (if you are 40 or older)
- Disability
- Religion or creed
- Genetic or medical information
- Veteran or military status
- Pregnancy
- Marital status
Adverse employment conditions can also play a role. A police department or sheriff’s office adversely affects your employment if they do any of the following:
- Terminate your employment
- Fail to consider your job application
- Deny you a promotion or pay raise you deserve
- Refuse to provide the education and training and education you need
- Suspend you
- Reduce your pay
- Fail to provide reasonable workplace accommodations if you have a disability or are pregnant.
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we can explain if you qualify to file a discrimination claim.
What is a harassment claim?
Harassment of a member of a protected class is a form of discrimination. Members of a protected class can file a harassment claim if their employer:
- Participates in or permits harassment in the workplace that makes working intolerable
- Fails to implement policies and procedures to protect against harassment in the workplace
Generally, contractors and volunteers can also file a workplace harassment claim. You can also file a harassment claim if you observe the harassment of someone else.
Our Torrance employment lawyers handle the following two types of harassment claims for police officers and other law enforcement workers:
Hostile work environment harassment
This type of harassment is so offensive, abusive, or intimidating that it prevents you from doing your job. Examples of a hostile workplace environment include derogatory comments, messages, conversations, web postings, images, and unwelcome physical contact.
Sexual harassment
You can file a sexual harassment claim if the harassment creates a hostile work environment. Examples include sexual advances, offensive sexual jokes and conversations, leering, and displaying sexual photos, drawings, and videos.
You can also file a sexual harassment claim if your employer or a supervisor conditions your employment on sexual advances or sexual favors. This type of harassment is known as “quid pro quo” harassment.
In one illustrative harassment and discrimination case, McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP obtained $950,000 for a Los Angeles police officer when her request for medical leave resulted in harassment and discrimination.
What is a retaliation claim?
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we file retaliation claims against police departments and sheriff’s offices when they punish or discipline you (such as firing you, giving you undesirable assignments, or reducing your pay) or because you assert any of the following rights, including the right to file a:
- Discrimination or harassment claim
- Retaliation claim
- Qui tam/whistleblower claim
- Workers’ compensation claim
- Request for family medical leave
- Claim for any other legal right
Our Torrance employment lawyers also file retaliation claims if a law enforcement employer retaliates because you assist another worker’s employment claim.
What types of employment claims do you handle in Torrance?
Our Torrance employment lawyers hold police departments and sheriff’s offices to their duty to comply with federal, California, and Los Angeles County employment laws, as well as collective bargaining agreements and written employment contracts. Our lawyers handle the following types of employment claims:
- Discrimination claims, harassment claims, and retaliation claims. We discuss these claims above.
- Wage and hour claims. Police work is very hard work. Officers risk their lives every day. We hold employers to their duty to pay their workers on time for all the work they do.
- Executive compensation claims. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we hold employers to the terms of their employment contracts. Our lawyers demand that California, Los Angeles County, Torrance, and police and sheriff’s departments pay your salary, healthcare insurance coverage, pension and other retirement benefits, stock options, if any, severance pay, and any other benefits outlined in your employment contract.
- Termination claims. We seek to reinstate your job and/or compensate you for your full financial damages when your employer fires you in violation of discrimination laws, harassment laws, retaliation laws, and contracts.
- Whistleblower/qui tam claims. Employees have the right to disclose fraudulent conduct by their employer to the government. You may be eligible for a percentage of any recovery for fraud. We file qui tam claims (claims for this percentage) and retaliation claims if your employer punishes you for disclosing their fraud.
- Family medical leave claims. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we file retaliation claims if a police department or sheriff’s office retaliates because you ask for family medical leave to care for a sick family member or to welcome a new family member, such as a newborn or an adoptee.
What laws protect police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement personnel in Torrance?
Our Torrance employment lawyers for police officers use every law that protects your employment rights, including the following:
California law
- California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
- The California False Claims Act
- California Family Rights Act
Federal laws
How do you advocate for police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Torrance?
McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP is respected by former clients and the California legal community for our strong record of successful verdicts and settlements, including more than $150 Million in recoveries for law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders. Our team files employment claims with the following agencies and courts:
Agencies:
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- The California Civil Rights Department (CCRD)
Courts:
Our Torrance employment lawyers fight for police officers, sheriff’s deputies, SWAT officers, and other law enforcement officers in the following ways, among others. We can:
- Discuss your concerns, your work history, and everything that happened.
- Explain your rights and remedies.
- Question your employers and supervisors in writing and in person.
- Question all witnesses who have information about your claim.
- Work with experts in your field, financial professionals, discrimination statisticians, and others – when necessary.
- Review all relevant documents, including any contracts and your employment records.
- Verify and explain all your damages.
- File complaints with the appropriate agencies and work with their investigators.
- Work to negotiate a fair and just settlement agreement.
- Argue your case before a judge and jury.
What damages can I receive for employment violations in Torrance?
Our Torrance employment lawyers fight to compensate for all your current and future damages, including:
- All your financial damages, such as lost wages, overtime, bonuses, salary, and other forms of income.
- Loss of health insurance and any other insurance coverage.
- Loss of seniority.
- Executive compensation benefits.
- Emotional distress and damage to your reputation.
- Statutory damages.
- Attorney fees.
- Punitive damages, if the employer’s conduct is unconscionable.
We also seek court orders directing your employer to reinstate you and orders for other remedies.
Do you have a Torrance police officer and sheriff’s deputy employment lawyer near me?
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we meet police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement officers at our office located on Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, 10866. Our lawyers also discuss cases by phone and through online video consultations.
We fight to protect the people who protect us.
Speak with our experienced Torrance police employment lawyers today
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we have 35 years of experience fighting for the rights of employees. Many of our successful employment cases are on behalf of police officers. We understand the unique challenges involved with filing claims against police departments and sheriff’s offices. Call our Torrance police enforcement lawyers or complete our easy-to-use contact form to schedule a free consultation.
List of Agencies We are Suing or Have Sued
- 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