Los Angeles Employment Law Attorneys

Representing California Employees in Employment Law Claims

From retaliation against whistleblowers to wrongful termination, employment law cases can often be difficult and overwhelming to prove, as California employers often have vast resources to protect themselves from scrutiny. However, our employment lawyers at Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, have repeatedly brought credibility and authority to our clients’ words and allowed them to prevail in cases against Fortune 500 companies and major corporations in Los Angeles and beyond.

We know that all employees deserve to have someone standing up for their rights, no matter how challenging the case. This is true whether someone works for a small business or a billion-dollar corporation. When you retain our Los Angeles employment law firm, we’ll advocate for your needs throughout the entire legal process.

To begin the process of filing a claim, call (866) 634-4525 or contact us online today. 

Types of Employment Law Claims

In California, employers can hire and fire most employees at will. However, they cannot fire or take adverse action against workers for reasons that violate the law or public policy. For example, a company cannot fire employees who stood up for their rights if the employer engaged in discrimination or harassment in the workplace. However, employers will rarely admit the true, unlawful reason for a termination or other adverse action, creating an uphill battle for employees.

Employees are also legally protected from various forms of discrimination and harassment. In California, workers have protections under all of the same federal anti-discrimination laws that protect workers around the nation, including the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), among numerous others. California workers also have additional rights under the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). If you’re a member of a protected class who has suffered a hostile work environment, you may be able to file a claim against your employer for discrimination.

Some common employment law claims include:

• Wrongful termination
• Discrimination
• Retaliation for a protected activity
• Whistleblower retaliation
• Sexual harassment
• Employer misconduct
• Contract disputes

UC regents whistleblower retaliation results

GBW has earned a reputation as a leading firm in whistleblower retaliation cases involving the UC Regents, securing significant jury verdicts that have brought systemic issues to light and reinforced protections for those who report wrongdoing. The firm has represented faculty members across several UC campuses who allege retaliation after raising concerns about financial irregularities, patient safety, and the misuse of public resources. GBW remains committed to holding major institutions accountable while advocating for whistleblowers’ rights in higher education.

• $39.5 Million Verdict Against UC Regents for UCSD Whistleblower Retaliation
  In a high-stakes whistleblower and wrongful termination case against the University of California, the GBW trial team secured a $39.5 million jury verdict. The case involved an oncologist who raised concerns after a $10 million research gift was allegedly redirected without his consent. Following his disclosures, he faced significant retaliation, including the non-renewal of his contract. The litigation was complex and hard-fought, with the university mounting an aggressive defense and filing its own claims against the physician. Despite these challenges—and no settlement offer—the GBW trial team successfully dismantled the allegations and demonstrated the retaliation at the heart of the case.
• $7 Million Settlement and Reinstatement in Landmark UCI Whistleblower Case
  A powerful result in a long-fought whistleblower retaliation case. After nearly a decade of litigation, the GBW trial team secured a $7 million settlement in a final resolution of the second trial on behalf of Dr. Mark Linskey—building on an earlier unanimous jury verdict in the same case. Two juries found retaliation after Dr. Linskey raised serious concerns about patient safety and institutional misconduct at UC Irvine. The court also ordered Dr. Linskey’s reinstatement, allowing him to return to teaching and training the next generation of neurosurgeons. An outcome that extends far beyond one physician, positively impacting patient care and academic integrity.
• $6.1 Million Jury Verdict in UCR Whistleblower Retaliation Case Against UCR
  The GBW trial team secured a $6.1 million jury verdict on behalf of two physician whistleblowers who exposed alleged misconduct within UC Riverside’s Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. The case centered on claims that a department chair misappropriated a $15 million state grant intended to expand mental health and telepsychiatry services. After raising concerns about misuse of funds, economic waste, and patient safety issues, the plaintiffs alleged they faced retaliation, including demotions and forced resignation. Despite an internal investigation finding no link between their reports and the adverse actions, the jury sided with the physicians—awarding significant damages, including for constructive termination.
• $6 Million Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement Involving UCSD Leadership
  GBW attorneys secured a $6 million settlement for a whistleblower who was forced out after exposing fraud and a high-level cover-up involving misconduct allegations against the UC San Diego Chancellor.
• $3.9M Resolution in UCLA Whistleblower Retaliation Case After Appeals Court Reinstatement
  A UCLA Chief Administrative Officer who reported serious patient safety and operational concerns—including mismanaged pathology practices, lost specimen samples, and substandard facility conditions—alleged he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for speaking out. Although his claims were initially dismissed at the trial court level, the California Courts of Appeal unanimously reinstated the case, recognizing viable claims under multiple whistleblower protection statutes. The appellate decision reaffirmed important legal protections for employees who report misconduct within public institutions. Following years of litigation, the matter was ultimately resolved with a $3.9 million settlement.
• Surgeon Awarded $2.1M Verdict in Whistleblower Case Exposing Patient Safety Risks at LA County Hospital
  A vascular surgeon who refused to participate in and later reported a medically unnecessary procedure tied to alleged insurance fraud secured a $2.1 million jury verdict, along with $3.2 million in attorney’s fees, against the County of Los Angeles. The case, handled by GBW’s trial team, stems from conduct at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where the physician raised concerns about procedures performed for financial gain, including alleged kickbacks connected to a medical device company. After reporting the activity, he faced years of retaliation instead of protection.
• $6 Million Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement Against UC San Diego
  GBW’s Mark Quigley and Aaron Osten obtained a $6 million settlement on behalf of Dr. Lori Brown in a whistleblower retaliation case against the Regents of the University of California and multiple individuals at UC San Diego.
  Dr. Brown, a highly respected physician and former faculty member in UCSD’s Division of General Internal Medicine, reported what she alleged were fraudulent and illegal practices, including the misreporting of faculty effort to improperly inflate benefits and accrue unearned vacation time. After raising these concerns, Dr. Brown faced escalating retaliation and a hostile work environment that ultimately forced her resignation.
  The defendants claimed Dr. Brown left due to a “poor leadership style.” The lawsuit challenged that narrative, alleging it was a pretext to punish her for exposing systemic misconduct. Dr. Brown sought both economic and non-economic damages for the harm to her career and professional reputation.
  Our work representing plaintiffs against large corporations illustrates our ability to take on the toughest cases. We know that cases require resources, skill, and experience, and we regularly bring all of these to the cases we take. If you have a complicated wrongful termination or sexual harassment case, please do not hesitate to call and explore your legal options with our team.

What Damages Can I Seek from My Employer?

The law gives victims the right to seek legal relief when they have suffered from wrongful termination, discrimination, and other types of employer misconduct. Depending on the nature of your employment law case, you may be eligible for different “damages” or forms of relief.

Some forms of relief may include:

• Reinstatement to your previous position
• Lost wages and benefits
• Court costs and attorney fees
• Damages for emotional distress (common in cases involving sexual harassment or discrimination)
• Punitive damages (if your employer undertook particularly egregious actions)

Some people will not find a return to their previous positions realistic or preferable after a wrongful termination or discrimination case. However, some employees may want to seek this form of relief in addition to lost earnings and other damages. At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, we closely review each case with our clients to determine the best legal relief in their cases. Damages in wrongful termination cases can rise into the millions of dollars, and you want an attorney who will address all of your losses and know how to seek the maximum amount possible in your situation.

Investigating Claims of Employer Misconduct

Proving whether your employer engaged in wrongful action can present serious difficulties. Without knowing the many state and federal employment laws, most employees do not know for sure whether they have experienced discrimination or another form of misconduct. Even when the misconduct is unmistakable, it can often be hard for victims to gather clear evidence that connects to the employer’s actions.

This is why workplace lawsuits require thorough investigation in order to be successful. As one of California’s premier plaintiff’s law firms, our Los Angeles employment law team at Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP has significant investigative resources that we can put to work in your case.

When investigating your claim, we will examine the following as available:

• Statements from coworkers regarding discrimination or harassment on the part of an employer
• Employment records indicating no performance or delinquency issues
• Proof that an employer did not terminate other employees in the same situation
• Proof of close proximity between an employee’s protected activity or class and the adverse action
• Proof of an employer’s shifting reasons for wrongful termination

A History of Success in Wrongful Termination and Harassment Lawsuits

Our attorneys have secured more million-dollar results for clients than any other injury law firm in California, including the following:

• $4.9 billion verdict against General Motors
• $73 million verdict against Ford Motor Company
• $55 million verdict against Marriott
• $33 million verdict against Budget Rent-a-Car and the Los Angeles Police Department
• $25.9 million verdict against Ford Motor Company
• $6 million settlement against the Los Angeles Police Department

Don’t Let Your Employer Violate Your Rights

If you are the victim of employment discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination – or if you are an attorney seeking a skilled litigator to take a case to trial – contact Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP. Our respected and recognized employment law attorneys represent clients and assist other lawyers in the Los Angeles area, Southern California, and throughout the entire state. We also consult with attorneys and clients nationwide.

Contact us today at (866) 634-4525 or message us online to schedule a free consultation.