$15.0M
Recovery for employees denied legally required meal and rest breaks.
Employment
Costa Mesa Employment Attorneys
Were your rights violated at work in Costa Mesa? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help Orange County employees fight discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage theft. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
- 7X"BEST LAW FIRM" AWARDS
- 24/7AVAILABILITY & SUPPORT
- 500+LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
Understanding Your Costa Mesa Employment Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has stood up for California employees against employers of every size. Our attorneys investigate what happened, gather the records and witness statements that prove your claim, and handle the process through the appropriate agencies and Orange County courts. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Start protecting your claim by preserving evidence. Keep copies of your schedules, pay stubs, and any written communications; document each incident with dates, details, and the names of witnesses; and review your company policies and employment agreements carefully before signing anything. Then speak with a legal professional before your employer's version of events becomes the only record. Learn more about your employee rights.
Most California discrimination and harassment claims begin with a complaint to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). The agency generally investigates or offers mediation and, in most cases, must issue a right-to-sue notice before you can file a civil lawsuit. Because filing deadlines are strict, a legal professional can help you meet them. Explore our workplace harassment representation.
California law makes it unlawful for an employer to retaliate against you for exercising your workplace rights. Protected activities generally include reporting discrimination, filing a wage complaint, participating in a workplace investigation, or requesting a reasonable accommodation. Retaliation can take the form of termination, demotion, or reduced hours. See how we handle workplace retaliation claims.
California employees are generally entitled to at least minimum wage, overtime pay, meal breaks on qualifying shifts, rest breaks based on hours worked, and accurate itemized wage statements. When an employer cuts corners on any of these, you may be owed back pay and penalties. A legal professional can review your pay records during a free case review. Learn about unpaid wages claims.
Meet Our Costa Mesa Employment Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
John G. Yslas, Esq.Senior Partner, Chair of the Employment Wage & Hour Class Action Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Tyler J. Woods, Esq.Senior Partner
Arrash Fattahi, Esq.Partner
Benjamin Haber, Esq.Partner
Nicol Hajjar, Esq.Partner
Diego Aviles, Esq.Junior Partner
Jeffrey Bils, Esq.Junior Partner
Emily Borman, Esq.Junior Partner
Jose Maria D. Patino, Jr., Esq.Junior Partner
Christina M. LeJunior Partner
William M. Pao, Esq.Junior Partner
Eugene Zinovyev, Esq.Junior Partner$12.0M
Recovery for employees denied legally required meal and rest breaks.
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have an Employment Claim in Costa Mesa?
You may have a valid employment claim if your employer took an unlawful action against you — such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, or unpaid wages — and you suffered harm as a result. California protects employees under laws including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Labor Code, and many claims must first go through the California Civil Rights Department. Because deadlines apply, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review with a legal professional.
Start Your Free Costa Mesa Employment Case Review
- Available 24/7
- Hablamos Español
- Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse Team
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No fees unless you get paid.
Record breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
1–1 of 17
#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement
2024
#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
2024
#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
2023
#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Negligent Security Settlement
2023
#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
2023
#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
2023
#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
2022
#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
2022
*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Costa Mesa Employment FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Costa Mesa's large retail and hospitality workforce, including South Coast-area stores and restaurants, is generally entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and duty-free meal and rest breaks under the California Labor Code. Missed meal or rest breaks can entitle a non-exempt worker to one hour of premium pay.
Employment lawsuits arising in Costa Mesa are generally filed in Orange County Superior Court, though FEHA discrimination and harassment claims usually go through the California Civil Rights Department first. An attorney can confirm the correct venue for your specific claim.
You generally have three years from the last act of harassment to file with the California Civil Rights Department. Deadlines have exceptions, so it is best to confirm yours promptly rather than wait.
California requires prompt payment of final wages when you leave a job, and a late final paycheck can trigger waiting-time penalties. Keep your pay stubs and separation paperwork so the amount owed can be calculated. If your workplace is in San Diego County, our San Diego employment lawyers can help.