Laurel Employment Law, APC serving clients throughout California from our offices in Beverly Hills, Pasadena, San Diego, Santa Monica & Van Nuys.
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Laurel Employment Law, APC Racial Discrimination

Racial Discrimination Lawyer in Los Angeles

We Represent Workers Only. Never Employers.

Laurel Employment Law, APC represents workers only. We never represent employers, which means every strategy we develop, every deposition we take, and every demand letter we send is built entirely around you. Our founder’s background as a former corporate executive gives us a practical understanding of how companies document personnel decisions and build paper trails. In racial discrimination cases, that insider perspective matters.

We serve clients in Los Angeles and throughout California. Free consultations are available in person or virtually, and we work on a contingency fee basis so you pay nothing unless we achieve a successful outcome. Bilingual assistance in Spanish is available.

If you believe your employer has discriminated against you based on race, call our office at (310) 929-6371 to schedule your free consultation. There’s no cost to speak with us and no obligation to proceed.

What Racial Discrimination at Work Can Look Like

Racial discrimination covers unfavorable treatment of an employee or job applicant based on race, skin color, ancestry, physical features associated with race, perceived race, or association with someone of a particular racial background. It appears at every stage of employment, from the initial hiring decision through termination and beyond.

Covered adverse employment actions include:

  • Hiring and firing decisions that favor one racial group over another
  • Promotions and demotions influenced by race rather than performance or qualifications
  • Pay disparities and unequal benefits between similarly situated employees of different races
  • Job assignments and training opportunities withheld based on race
  • Racially hostile work environments created by supervisors, coworkers, or even clients when the employer fails to address them

California’s CROWN Act (SB 188, effective January 1, 2020) extends these protections further. Under the CROWN Act, the definition of race includes hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, twists, cornrows, and afros. A grooming policy that disproportionately burdens employees of a particular racial background can be actionable as racial discrimination, even if the policy appears race-neutral on its face.

Employers rarely state race as the reason for a decision. Discrimination is more often established through patterns of treatment, comparative evidence, or a policy that produces racially disparate outcomes across a workforce.

Why Los Angeles Workers Choose Laurel Employment Law, APC

Our approach is aggressive and strategic. We pursue both settlements and litigation, and we don’t soften our advocacy to make the process more comfortable for the other side. Because our founder came from the corporate world, we understand how employers frame disciplinary decisions, how performance documentation gets constructed after the fact, and where the inconsistencies tend to appear. That knowledge shapes how we investigate and challenge employer conduct.

Our proprietary case management system keeps your file organized and your case moving efficiently. We communicate clearly and consistently, translating every stage of your claim into plain language. Spanish-speaking clients receive full bilingual assistance throughout. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you can retain a racial discrimination attorney in Los Angeles without any upfront cost.

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Laurel Employment Law, APC

Award-Winning Business

  • LA Times Studios’ 2026 Consumer Attorneys of Southern California
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  • 2026 LEADERS OF INFLUENCE LITIGATORS & TRIAL ATTORNEYS - Joshua White
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  • 2026 Best Places to Work SoCal
  • Daily Journal Top Labor & Employment Lawyers 2026 (Josh White)
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Elizabeth Villareal)
  • LABJ 2026 Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys (Josh White)
  • 2026 Best Places to Work for Women (Best Companies Group)
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  • Super Lawyers Rising Star 2026 (Elizabeth Villareal)
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  • 2027 Super Lawyers Rising Stars - Elizabeth Villareal
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  • 2026 Best Places to Work for Fathers (Men's Journal)
  • 2025 Best Places to Work (Los Angeles Business Journal)
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  • LA Times Studios: 2026 Consumer Attorneys of Southern California (Josh White)
In Our Clients Own Words

850+ Real 5-Star Google Reviews

Read about how our approach to employment law makes a difference in the lives of California workers. To learn more or get started with a consultation, call us at (310) 929-6371 today.

  • "¡Cumplieron con el Trabajo!"
    Me recomendaron este despacho después de que mi empresa me reemplazó mientras estaba de licencia por maternidad. Mi abogado se puso a trabajar en mi caso de inmediato y cumplió con el trabajo.
    - Jessica H.
  • "Gestionado de Manera Excepcional"
    Me encantó la calidad y proactividad de la comunicación. Me mantuvieron informada sobre lo que estaba pasando en mi caso y lo que vendría a continuación. Ojalá todos los negocios funcionaran tan bien.
    - Lori M.
  • "Outstanding Representation!"
    They vigorously defended my rights and secured an exceptional outcome, exceeding my expectations.
    - Albert L.
  • "Excellent Litigators"
    Fast, aggressive, and strategic at every move. The other side was constantly off-balance and could never keep up.
    - Jenny F.
  • "Excellent"
    I would highly recommend working with Laurel Employment!
    - Chance K.
  • "They Got the Job Done!"
    The firm was recommended to me after my company replaced me while on maternity leave. My lawyer went to work on my case right away and got the job done!
    - Jessica H.

Filing a Racial Discrimination Claim in California: Key Deadlines

Before filing a civil lawsuit for racial discrimination under FEHA, California law generally requires filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), formerly known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Missing this step can bar a claim entirely.

The key deadlines workers in the San Fernando Valley should understand as a general rule under current law include:

  • FEHA complaint with the CRD: Workers generally have three years from the date of the discriminatory act to file
  • Title VII charge with the EEOC: Workers in California generally have 300 days from the date of discrimination to file, due to California’s worksharing agreement with the federal agency
  • Civil lawsuit after a right-to-sue notice: Once the CRD issues a right-to-sue notice, a worker typically has one year to file in California court

California complaints can be dual-filed with both the CRD and the EEOC simultaneously, which is common practice. These deadlines are general rules under current law and may vary based on the specific facts of a case. Missing a deadline can permanently eliminate the right to pursue a claim, which is why speaking with a racial discrimination lawyer in Los Angeles as early as possible matters so much.

Talk to a Racial Discrimination Attorney in Los Angeles at No Cost

If you’ve faced racial discrimination at work, you don’t have to figure out your next step alone. Laurel Employment Law, APC represents workers only, and our goal is to hold your employer accountable. Consultations are free, we take cases on a contingency fee basis, and bilingual assistance in Spanish is available.

Call (310) 929-6371 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with Laurel Employment Law, APC today.

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