$15.0M
Recovery for employees denied legally required meal and rest breaks.
Employment
Irvine Sexual Harassment Lawyers
Were you harassed at work in Irvine? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help California workers hold employers accountable under FEHA and Title VII. 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 Sexual Harassment 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.
Under California law, sexual harassment takes two primary forms: quid pro quo harassment and a hostile work environment. Quid pro quo occurs when job benefits are conditioned on submitting to sexual conduct. A hostile work environment arises when unwelcome conduct is severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is broader than federal law and generally extends protections to independent contractors and unpaid interns in certain circumstances.
Most Irvine sexual harassment claims fall into a handful of recognizable patterns. These commonly include a hostile work environment created by comments, jokes, or offensive conduct; unwanted physical contact or advances; requests for sexual favors tied to job security; retaliation after reporting harassment; harassment through digital communication; and an employer's failure to investigate complaints. Because Irvine hosts many corporate and technology employers, these situations can involve managers, coworkers, or clients — a legal professional can review the facts during a free case review.
California workers are protected by FEHA, which prohibits sexual harassment and requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent it. Employers with 5 or more employees must provide sexual harassment prevention training to supervisory and nonsupervisory staff. Federal Title VII protections apply as well. These laws also protect employees from retaliation for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation.
Generally, workers must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years of the last act of harassment. After receiving a right-to-sue notice, you typically have one year to file a civil lawsuit. Because deadlines vary with the facts of each case and missing one can end your claim, it's best to speak with a legal professional early.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has recovered more than $3 billion for clients and resolved over 20,000 cases. Our attorneys represent workers who have been harassed and those retaliated against for reporting it. We handle the investigation, deal with the employer and its lawyers, and build your case with personalized attention. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Meet Our Sexual Harassment 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.
$9.5M
$8.9M
$6.8M
$5.8M
$5.5M
$5.5M
$5.0M
$4.5M
$4.5M
$4.4M
$4.1M
$4.1M
$4.0M
$4.0M
$3.9M
$3.8M
$3.7M
$3.5M
$3.5M
$3.2M
$3.1M
$3.1M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$3.0M
$2.0M
$1.7M
$1.1M
$1.1M
$1.0M
$1.0M
$0.8M
$0.8M
$0.8M
$0.7M
$0.7M
$0.6M
$0.5M
$0.5M
$0.5M
$0.5M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.4M
$0.3M
$0.3M
$0.3M
$0.3M
$0.3M
$0.3M
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Sexual Harassment Claim in Irvine?
You may have a valid sexual harassment claim if you experienced unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that was severe or pervasive, or that was tied to an employment decision. The conduct can be physical, verbal, or written, and it can come from a supervisor, coworker, or third party. California's FEHA and the CRD filing deadlines apply, so contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review with a legal professional to learn whether your experience supports a claim.
Start Your Free Sexual Harassment Case Review
- Available 24/7
- Hablamos Español
- Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse Team
As seen in:
We'll contact you within minutes
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.
Sexual Harassment 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.
In Irvine's corporate headquarters and technology employers, harassment situations can involve managers, coworkers, or outside clients a worker must deal with. California's FEHA prohibits sexual harassment by anyone in the workplace, not just direct supervisors.
In most cases California does not require you to use your employer's internal complaint process before filing with the California Civil Rights Department. Still, how your employer responded can matter to your claim, so keep any related records.
You generally have three years from the last act of harassment to bring a complaint to the California Civil Rights Department. Filing sooner preserves your options, and deadlines can shift with the facts, so confirm yours with an attorney.
No. California law prohibits retaliation against employees who report harassment or take part in an investigation. If you were fired, demoted, or otherwise penalized after complaining, that may be a separate violation.