Equal Pay Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
We Know How Employers Build Pay Structures. We Know How to Challenge Them.
California’s Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying workers less than employees of the opposite sex, or of another race, or of another ethnicity, for substantially similar work. Violations reach every industry, from healthcare and tech to retail and construction. If your employer is paying you less than a colleague doing comparable work, you have the right to take action.
At Laurel Employment Law, we represent workers and only workers. We don’t represent employers in any matter. Our founding attorney, Joshua White, spent more than a decade as a corporate executive, including serving as Head of Strategy and General Counsel for a large multinational corporation, before founding this firm. That background means we understand how employers build pay structures and how they try to defend them.
Joshua White has been named one of the Daily Journal’s Top Labor and Employment Lawyers of 2026 and the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 Leaders of Influence: Litigators and Trial Attorneys. We serve workers across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, offer free consultations, and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we help you pursue a successful outcome. Bilingual assistance is available in Spanish.
Find out more about your legal options in a free consultation. Call (310) 929-6371 or get in touch online to schedule yours.
The California Equal Pay Act
Originally enacted in 1949, the California Equal Pay Act was significantly strengthened by the California Fair Pay Act in 2015. That amendment replaced the older “equal work” standard with a broader “substantially similar work” standard and eliminated the requirement that compared employees work at the same establishment. Effective January 1, 2017, race and ethnicity were added as protected categories alongside sex, expanding protections well beyond gender-based wage discrimination.
Substantially similar work is assessed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility performed under similar working conditions. Two jobs don’t need to share the same title or location to be comparable. Below are some of the most important things to know about how the Act works in practice.
Five-Star Client Reviews
Read about how our approach to employment law makes a difference in our clients' lives. To learn more or get started with a consultation, call us at (310) 929-6371 today.
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"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. -
"Excellent Litigators"
Fast, aggressive, and strategic at every move. The other side was constantly off-balance and could never keep up.- Jenny F. -
"Fought On My Behalf"
The entire experience from my very first phone call was first class all the way. I felt listened to and understood. They got me a great settlement.- Justin U. -
"Outstanding Job"
Fastest I have ever seen other than when I was pro per. Did an outstanding job.- Bennie H. -
"Incredible Experience"
They got me an outcome that was better than I could have imagined. These guys are great lawyers who know what they're doing!- Carlos G. -
"They Kept Their Word"
They did what they said they'd do... whether a promise to me or a threat to the other side, they always backed up their words with action.- Jeremy S.
Your Legal Options as a Los Angeles Worker
Workers who believe they are being paid unequally have several ways to hold an employer accountable. A successful claim may recover the difference in wages, interest on those wages, liquidated damages equal to the unpaid difference, and attorney fees if the case is filed in court.
Your legal options may include:
- Filing a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office: This office enforces labor laws, investigates complaints, and can demand remedies from employers where a violation is found.
- Filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD): If your unequal pay is connected to broader discrimination based on sex, race, or another protected characteristic, the CRD may be the right avenue.
- Contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Where federal equal pay laws apply, filing with the EEOC may also be appropriate.
- Filing a lawsuit: Our equal pay attorneys in Los Angeles can pursue back pay and damages through litigation, representing workers across all industries and occupations.
Ready to Fight for What You’re Owed
If your employer isn’t paying you fairly, don’t wait. Every paycheck matters, and California law gives you real tools to fight back. We work with workers across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no cost to get started and nothing to pay unless we help you pursue a successful outcome.
Connect with us online or call (310) 929-6371 to schedule your free consultation.
