CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWYER
Protecting Employee Rights
No employee should have to choose between protecting their livelihood and standing up for what is right. If you've been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, harassed, retaliated against, or denied wages — The Kaufman Law Firm is here to help.
No Fees or Costs Unless We Win.
25+ Years
Representing California employees since 2001
★★★★★
5.0 Google Rating · 120+ Reviews
Free Case Evaluations
Serving All of California
Focus on Southern California
RECOGNIZED & AWARDED




EMPLOYEE RIGHTS ATTORNEY
EVERY EMPLOYEE DESERVES TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS
Every workplace dispute is different, but every employee deserves to understand their legal rights. Whether you were fired illegally, subjected to discrimination, denied overtime, retaliated against for speaking up, or experienced harassment at work, our firm is committed to helping you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve.
01
Workplace Discrimination Attorney
Workplace discrimination can affect hiring, promotions, pay, assignments, discipline, and termination. We represent employees facing discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, age, disability, and national origin.
02
WRONGFUL TERMINATION LAWYER
Being fired is not always lawful, even in an at-will employment state. We represent employees terminated because of discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, protected leave, or exercising other workplace rights.
03
Workplace Retaliation Attorney
Employers cannot lawfully punish employees for exercising protected workplace rights. We represent workers who have been fired, demoted, disciplined, threatened, harassed, or otherwise penalized after engaging in protected activity.
04
Sexual Harassment Attorney
Sexual harassment can include unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, sexual conduct, hostile work environments, and retaliation. We represent employees who have experienced unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace.
05
Wage and Hour Attorney
Employees have the right to be paid properly and on time. We represent workers in claims involving unpaid wages, overtime, missed breaks, commissions, expense reimbursement, final pay, and other wage and hour violations.
06
Employee Misclassification Attorney
Being wrongly classified as an independent contractor or exempt employee can cost you wages and workplace protections. We help workers pursue unpaid overtime, breaks, reimbursements, and other compensation they were denied.
07
FMLA and CFRA Attorney
Employees should not have to choose between their jobs and caring for their health or families. We represent workers denied protected family or medical leave, refused reinstatement, retaliated against, or terminated after taking leave.
08
WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY
Employees who report suspected illegal conduct may be protected from workplace retaliation. We represent whistleblowers who face termination, demotion, threats, harassment, isolation, or other punishment after speaking up.
09
Employment Class Action Attorney
When unlawful employment practices affect a group of workers, a class action may provide a way to pursue relief collectively. We represent employees in class actions involving unpaid wages, overtime, misclassification, missed breaks, and other violations.
10
Pregnancy Disability Leave Attorney
Employees may have important leave and accommodation rights during pregnancy and childbirth. We represent workers denied pregnancy leave or accommodations, refused reinstatement, retaliated against, or terminated for exercising these rights.
11
Age Discrimination Attorney
Employees age 40 and older are protected from unlawful age discrimination. We represent workers who have been denied opportunities, pressured to retire, harassed, laid off, terminated, or otherwise treated unfairly because of their age.
12
Nursing Home Abuse & Elder Abuse Attorney
Nursing home residents and older adults deserve safety, dignity, and proper care. We represent seniors and families in cases involving neglect, bedsores, falls, medication errors, physical abuse, financial exploitation, and other forms of elder abuse.
We hold employers accountable when they violate employees’ rights through workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other unlawful employment practices throughout California
TRUSTED BY CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES
Employment law claims often involve strict filing deadlines. Waiting too long could affect your ability to pursue compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation today.
WHY THE KAUFMAN LAW FIRM
TRUSTED BY CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES FOR OVER TWO DECADES
When your career, income, and future are at stake, you need a firm that understands California employment law. Every case begins with listening - we understand your circumstances, explain your options in plain language, and build a strategy tailored to your goals.
01
01 FOCUSED ON EMPLOYEES
We represent employees - never the employers who wronged them.
02
02 SINCE 2001
Over twenty years of California employment law experience.
03
03 FREE EVALUATION
Honest answers about your situation at no cost to you.
04
04 PERSONALIZED
Every client receives personal attention through resolution.

MEET YOUR ATTORNEY
MATTHEW A. KAUFMAN
Attorney Matthew A. Kaufman has dedicated his practice to protecting employees whose workplace rights have been violated. He understands the financial and emotional impact employment disputes have on individuals and families, and provides practical guidance backed by thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy.
From wrongful termination and discrimination to wage disputes and whistleblower matters, Mr. Kaufman has helped employees navigate complex claims throughout California.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
TRUSTED BY CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES
★★★★★ 5.0 average across 120+ Google reviews
★★★★★
Matthew fought for me when I had nowhere else to turn after being wrongfully terminated. Professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case.
★★★★★
The Kaufman Law Firm recovered unpaid overtime I didn't even know I was owed. They explained everything in plain language every step of the way.
★★★★★
After facing retaliation for reporting harassment, this firm stood up for me. I finally felt heard. I can't recommend them enough.
CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAW BLOG
Understanding Your Workplace Rights
Sex Discrimination At Work Is Real
Nobody should ever have to worry about being discriminated against for any reason in the workplace. However, we know that you may need a Los Angeles discrimination attorney if you are facing a hostile work environment. At the Kaufman Law Firm, we are ready to get to...
Do Nursing Mothers Get Mandatory Breaks?
Wage & hour laws in California relate to a number of different topics, from overtime pay to how many hours can be worked in a given pay period. Wage & hour laws also include language regarding mandatory breaks for nursing mothers, which must be afforded by...
Workplace Breaks Explained
If you are an employee in California, it can be difficult to know what the law says about when and how often you can take breaks from work. Some employers may give you exact guidelines, but others may not. No matter how much information you are given from your boss,...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COMMON QUESTIONS
Do I have a wrongful termination case?
If you were fired because you reported unlawful conduct, requested protected medical leave, experienced discrimination, participated in a workplace investigation, or exercised another protected legal right, you may have a wrongful termination claim. An attorney can review the facts and explain whether California law applies.
Can my employer retaliate against me for reporting discrimination or harassment?
No. California law generally prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report unlawful workplace conduct, oppose discrimination or harassment, or participate in investigations. Retaliation may include termination, demotion, reduced hours, or discipline.
What qualifies as workplace discrimination?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of a legally protected characteristic such as race, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin — affecting hiring, pay, promotions, discipline, or termination.
Should I sign a severance agreement without speaking to an attorney?
Before signing any severance agreement, it's important to understand the rights you may be giving up. An attorney can review the agreement, explain its terms, and help you determine whether additional compensation should be requested.
How much does it cost to schedule a case evaluation?
The Kaufman Law Firm offers free initial case evaluations. During your consultation, we'll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and explain whether your matter may qualify for legal representation.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
NOT SURE WHICH ISSUE APPLIES TO YOU?
Many workplace disputes involve more than one legal issue - wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages, whistleblower protections, FMLA/CFRA leave, severance, and more. Whether you know exactly what happened or you're simply looking for answers, we're here to help.
We proudly represent employees throughout California, with a focus on Southern California, Ventura County, Thousand Oaks, Long Beach, and surrounding communities.
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